Changing face of Kirra Beach Icon
15-16 April 2006; The Courier Mail - HOME Liftout
 

The landmark Kirra Surf apartment complex is officially launched to the public this weekend, complete with spectacular impressions of how the new building will look.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, an $89 million apartment complex at the southern end of the Gold Coast is about to take over the name of a surfing landmark that has ridden the waves for almost 30 years.

The new project will take the name and location of Kirra Surf one of Australia’s biggest surf shops, across the road from a world-famous stretch of coastline where thousands of grommets made a splash with a Peter Turner-shaped board.

In about 18 months time, the surf shop will be the focal point of the esplanade frontage of a stylish and spectacular complex of 91 apartments and penthouses, over 12 levels, which Kirra Surf founder Peter Turners admits is a quantum leap from his humble business beginnings.

“I had 75 square metres of floor space when I started in Lang Street in 1977 and that will become 2300 square metres, including mezzanine floors and 8-metre high ceilings in the new shop,” Mr Turner says.

The site of the complex, bounded by Musgrave Street, Creek Street, South Street and Winston Street, is steeped in links to Kirra’s historical past. It was used during World War II by US Army troops, then became the first Markwells fish processing factory and later housed the former Giltraps Auto Museum one of the coast’s many, early tourist attractions.

Mr Turner moved Kirra Surf from Lang Street, to Golden Four Drive and then to the present site in the early 1990s, when he was a councillor and two-term deputy mayor of the Gold Coast City Council

When construction starts on the Kirra Surf apartment complex later this year, Mr Turner

and partner Paul Jackson will move the business to temporary premises at South Tweed Heads until they are ready to re-establish at their plush new retail centre.

The landmark Kirra Surf apartment complex is officially launched to the public this weekend with a sales office open on site, complete with spectacular impressions of how the new building will look.

Macquarie Real Estate Capital’s state manager Scott Ponton says Kirra Surf has been inspired by the relaxed living environment and its laidback, surfer lifestyle.

There will be 79 apartments of two and three bedrooms, nine sub-penthouses and three penthouses, raining from 77sqm to 382sqm.

Apartments on level 8 and level 12 will have their own private roof terrace with internal stairs and all residents will have access to a swimming pool and spa, gymnasium, sauna and barbecue facilities.

The Kirra Surf retail partnership will retain 2200 sq m of retail space on the ground floor with another retail outlet and space for a restaurant and cafe.

Mr Turner says Kirra Surf needed a new home and he is delighted its going to be at the same address.

The apartments will have beach views stretching from Snapper Rocks in the south to the Surfers Paradise skyline in the north.

According to Mr Ponton, the southern end of the coast has become popular with real estate buyers but the present owners are holding tight to their properties.

He says he expects Kirra Surf to attract interest from buyers looking for an easy-going beachfront setting, different to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, and with an active lifestyle.

Development:

Kirra Surf, Kirra

Developers:

Urban Pacific Limited, Macquarie Real Estate Equity Fund, Parkview Group.

Contact:

Sales Office 1800 823 622