Gaming and entertainment groups want beach clubs at the Spit
Gaming and entertainment groups ASF Consortium and Star Entertainment are both planning to build European-style beach clubs on The Spit.
ASF has released its plans to build a three-level beach club with restaurants and pools as part of its proposed $3 billion integrated casino and resort.
Star Entertainment Group was quick to follow releasing its own plans for a beach club at its Gold Coast venue, the Sheraton Mirage.
ASF said the beach club will be 6000 square metres and will be able to host events for over 3000 guests. Additionally, restaurants and cafes will be a key component, along with a rooftop lounge, a nightclub, and an outdoor pool with a beach area.
The outdoor area will have adult only spaces, as well as family-friendly domains, plus VIP areas including cabanas and lounges.
ASF is reportedly negotiating with a major international beach club brand to operator the club.
“International beach club brands like Nikki Beach, Ku De Ta, Blue Marlin and Purobeach know how to successfully deliver and manage world-class destinations that draw signature chefs, local and international DJs and musicians, while also staying true to the local culture and ambience of the location,” ASF development director, Dean LaVigne said.
Its plans are somewhat premature given the state government is yet to approve a license for the ASF to develop a casino south of Sea World.
Regardless, the ASF wants to open the beach club by late 2021.
Star Entertainment purchased the Spit venue for $140 million last year and now wants to occupy the surrounding beach, according to CEO Matt Bekier.
“Being European, we look at this beach and go, ‘we fly to the end of the world to come and see a beach like this but you can’t have a cup of coffee or a drink there … how are you going to enjoy it’?”
The two-phase “beach activation” plan will commence by serving food and beverages on the beach in front of The Sheraton, just in time for the Commonwealth Games.
The second stage will see Gold Coast design firm, DBI, draw up plans to develop permanent infrastructure for the stretch of beach in front of the Sheraton.
Mr Bekier wants it to be a St Tropez-style beach club which offers food and drinks, as well as deck chairs, showers, and towels.
He added he wants it to transform into a nightclub too.
“There’s a huge opportunity for us to showcase the beach to a global audience during the Commonwealth Games,” Mr Bekier said.
“The holy grail would be to get out onto the beach. I feel whatever we build has to be publicly accessible.
“Right now the resort only caters for guests, with the exception of the buffet. It doesn’t cater for the casual traffic that goes up The Spit.
“Every time people are walking or bike riding, I want to capture them.”
But it is unlikely ASF and Star will gain approval from the council.
Community services committee chair Cr Bob La Castra said the council has already discussed and voted against commercialising beaches stating ‘it was a crap idea’.
“No, just no,” he said.
“The reason we don’t want to be like Europe and Southeast Asia is we want people to enjoy the beach without being hassled.”
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