Rich Lister pushes $500m overhaul of former Skase mall
Rich Lister Con Makris is pushing ahead with his Gold Coast expansion, lodging plans for a $500 million redevelopment of the Mirage Marina shopping centre that will include a boutique hotel, retail and apartments.
Mr Makris, who in recent years has sold down holdings in Adelaide – where he amassed a fortune last year worth $1.2 billion – to concentrate on the faster-growing south-east Queensland region, has submitted plans to Gold Coast Council to rebuild the centre developed by Christopher Skase in 1988.
The planned number of apartments, size and brand of the hotel, or likely timeline of the ElenbergFraser-designed project, were not immediately clear.
“Our proposed development compliments the natural elements of its environment and aligns with the objectives of The Spit Master Plan, whilst delivering a world-class destination for the Gold Coast, Queensland, and our economy,” said Makris Group chief executive and Con Makris’ son, Jason Makris.
Redevelopment of retail facilities on the waterfront site originally developed to service the Sheraton Mirage Resort aims to tap the growing population of south-east Queensland, as well as benefit from infrastructure investment before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The redeveloped Mirage Marina would stick to the existing 15-metre building height limit and retain the rooftop sails for which the centre was known, the company said.
Makris Group, which paid $52 million for the centre in 2013, has already developed a 76-berth marina for super yachts up to 85 metres in size and the HOPO ferry terminal.
