Demolition begins on Surfers Paradise Transit Centre to make way for Gold Coast Music Hall
A major new live-music venue for the Gold Coast is a step closer to reality, with demolition works now underway on the former Surfers Paradise Transit Centre to pave the way for the Gold Coast Music Hall.
Located on Beach Road in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the existing building is being repurposed into a contemporary cultural hub featuring an indoor performance space capable of hosting up to 2,500 people. Once complete, the venue will fill a long-recognised gap in the city’s entertainment landscape for a mid-sized auditorium designed specifically for touring music acts, as well as comedy, cabaret, civic functions and contemporary performances.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the project marks an important milestone in the city’s broader cultural and precinct revitalisation plans.
“The Transit Centre building is on City-owned land and was reaching the end of its life. Rather than start from scratch somewhere else, we saw this as the perfect opportunity to reuse the existing structure to deliver a state-of-the-art music hall in the heart of Surfers Paradise.”
The central location was also a key factor in the project, with the site positioned close to public transport and directly above the Bruce Bishop Carpark, which is currently undergoing essential renewal works.
According to the City, the project is expected to draw increased visitation to the precinct, supporting nearby businesses while strengthening Surfers Paradise as a cultural and entertainment destination.
The design for the Gold Coast Music Hall includes an iconic entrance pavilion, a foyer and bar, and a main auditorium featuring a wrap-around mezzanine balcony with tiered rear seating. A central box office and an outdoor event space will also form part of the venue, allowing the precinct to host both indoor and open-air events.
Importantly, the redevelopment will repurpose the existing structure rather than replace it entirely, extending the building’s life by an estimated 50 years while delivering a contemporary performance venue for the city.
Mayor Tate said the project aligns with the City’s broader plans to revitalise Surfers Paradise.
“The Gold Coast Music Hall is part of the renewal of Surfers Paradise, including Cavill Avenue and the Esplanade, to transform the Gold Coast’s most recognised visitor precinct,” he said.
Subscribe for updates“It supports the City’s Music Action Plan 2021 which aims to grow local music infrastructure and support emerging and established talent, reinforcing the Gold Coast as a live music destination.”
The project will sit directly above the Bruce Bishop Carpark, which includes a five-level basement carpark with 870 spaces currently undergoing renewal works. As part of the surrounding upgrades, Beach Road will also see new landscaping, seating and shaded areas added to improve pedestrian access and amenity.
Investment into the Gold Coast Music Hall is estimated at around $40 million, with construction expected to be completed in 2028, weather permitting.
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