Music Hall On The Way
Work is well under way on the Gold Coast Music Hall, with the former Surfers Paradise Transit Centre on Beach Road being transformed into a purpose-built performance venue for the city.
The $40 million project will reuse the existing building rather than start from scratch, which is expected to extend its life by around 50 years. Kane Constructions is working on early works under an Early Contractor Involvement contract for the City of Gold Coast, with ARM Architecture as design partner. The current scope covers remediation of the existing five-level basement and site preparation for the Music Hall above.
Once finished, the venue will include a main auditorium for up to 2,500 people, a wrap-around mezzanine balcony, an entrance pavilion, a foyer and bar, a central box office and an outdoor event space. The floor plan is designed to be flexible, with banquet, cabaret and town hall layouts all on the cards. The Bruce Bishop Carpark below, which has 870 spaces, is also being renewed.
Construction is expected to be finished in 2028, weather permitting. Mayor Tom Tate has said the building was reaching the end of its life and that reusing it was the better option than starting elsewhere, describing the project as part of the renewal of Surfers Paradise, including Cavill Avenue and the Esplanade.
The Music Hall will add a significant new option for touring acts and ticketed shows on the Gold Coast, and it will be interesting to see how it fits alongside the city’s independent music venues, which have told The Music they continue to face a tough operating climate. We’ll keep following the project as it develops and look forward to seeing how local artists and promoters can get involved.