WORK STARTS ON $1.5M UPGRADE FOR BURLEIGH ICON

BURLEIGH Beach Pavilion, which has been in receivers hands for the past three years, is poised for a fresh new look through a $1.5 million refurbishment.

Work has started on the interior and exterior facelift in a bid to attract a suite of new tenants to the property, with the receivers targeting "high caliber" operators for the prime beachfront site.

The upgrade is seen as a precursor to receivers selling the leasehold property, although this has not been confirmed.

Existing tenants Oskars on Burleigh and Rackley Swimming School have welcomed the upgrade which comes four years after the Goodwin Terrace property was hit hard by big seas during the 2011 floods.

"Locals will love it," says Heath Rackley. "It's a great building and an iconic part of Burleigh. I'm a Burleigh local myself and we can't wait until it's finished."

The building works, which have already started, will include natural timber cladding and a reconfigured entry and a new lift to the beach which will improve access throughout the building.

The Brisbane team from architectural firm Marchese, which was responsible for the Icebergs refurbishment on the Bondi beachfront, was enlisted to create a more contemporary Burleigh Beach Pavilion.

According to town planner Michael Falk, from Urban Planning Services, the design needed to take into account its trophy location as a place "where locals bring family and friends from out of town".

"It celebrates everything the Gold Coast has to offer, from the surf, to the sand to the famous Gold Coast skyline," says Falk.

"New building approvals in locations like this simply do not happen and the building has a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Burleigh.

"It's there, we have to celebrate it and ensure we restore its visual significance for visitors and the local community to enjoy."

Falk says the improvements will bring a new level of sophistication to the site. New tenancies will occupy space long vacated by former restaurants Point Break and Meesh's.

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart, who has been heavily involved in bringing the plans to fruition over the past three years, says the property was seen as "getting a bit tired and run down".

"I'm very happy to see the building set for renovations and looking forward to seeing the finished result," he says.

"It's one of the most prime locations in Australia, if not the world you don't get restaurants that close to the beach. (It) is a very special spot for Burleigh."

Both Rackley Swimming School and Oskars will remain open during the renovations which are expected to be completed in June.

"It will be 100 per cent business as usual at Oskars, we will be open for people to enjoy and our guests can be assured there will be no noise works during meal periods," says Oskars' owner Kieran Daly.

"It's a great opportunity to do a major relaunch of the building and of our restaurant. Hopefully people will look forward to coming and taking a look once it's complete."

Burleigh Beach Pavilion, which is owned by the Crown, was formerly controlled by Gold Coast businessman Ahmed El Safty before receivers from PPB Advisory were appointed. 

The receivers are conducting an expressions of interest campaign for the two vacant premises through Kevin Ramsey, of CBRE, and Jason Martin, of Colliers International.