Major works in the centre of Surfers Paradise will help modernise Cavill Avenue and deliver a functional new shopping experience.

The hub of Surfers Paradise will soon be transformed with a $6.8 million redevelopment program – the first in almost 15 years.

Encouraging the free flow of shoppers and reducing clutter is the philosophy behind the design of the newlook Cavill Mall.

The rejuvenation will bring new life to the entire precinct and is pivotal to the appeal of Surfers Paradise.

The redevelopment will include new mall lighting, street furniture, a stencilled and colour-coated mall surface and a contemporary outdoor dining awning to cater for all weather conditions.

The centre stage will also be removed to reduce bottlenecks in pedestrian flow and visitors can expect an improved visual appeal.

Gold Coast City Council has appointed FW Curley to undertake the project – the same company that redeveloped the mall in 1992.

Project manager Mark Curley says the facelift will complement recent upgrades to the Surfers Paradise Foreshore. The challenge is to develop the project across five stages while minimising disruption to traders until its completion in October.

“It is a great project to be involved in, but we need to keep the shop tenants happy,” he says.

“The whole area has been lifted and this upgrade will help to modernise the area. It’s looking a bit patchy in there and it’s mismatched with too many different levels. Stage one will improve pedestrian access through the mall, while the following stages will upgrade areas either side.”

Curley says his family’s local building business has a sound understanding of the precinct and the iconic stature of Cavill Mall.

“It’s a high-profile project and my father, who managed the project back in 1992, is involved in the job this time around,” he says.

Designed in-house by Council architects, the proviso was to provide the best looking pedestrian thoroughfare, on time and with the least impact on traders and visitors.

A bump-in, bump-out stage will replace the current elevated structure which will allow for events to continue to be staged
after the construction period.

The construction schedule will avoid the peak holiday period and will be completed before the GC600 and Schoolies Festival.

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw, says Cavill Mall plays an important role in the Gold Coast’s tourism industry, the city’s largest employer.

“Most tourists who have visited the Gold Coast have walked down Cavill Mall and this long awaited upgrade is another key component in the evolution of Surfers Paradise,” he says.

Following the completion of the light rail, the rejuvenated mall will connect people between the rapid transit stations and the world-class Surfers Paradise foreshore.