‘Game-changer’ music hall reaches critical design milestone

ARM’s proposal that re-imagines the former Surfers Paradise Transit Centre as a 3,000-capacity live-music and community hub reaches a critical interim Design Development milestone this week.

Modifying and expanding the existing 1990s eclectic brutalist building into the Gold Coast Civic and Music Hall will create a high calibre venue attracting big name touring acts to the city and a wider range of live performance events, as well as banquets, conferences and other types of functions.

“The Gold Coast has a unique cultural energy, and an unmet demand for live music and entertainment spaces,” said ARM Queensland studio lead Katherine Rickard. “Adaptive reuse is rare here so there’s something almost punk-rock and, of course, sustainable about keeping the best parts of the old bus depot and turning it into something fabulous. It channels the glory days of Bombay Rock and The Playroom, and shows how architecture can carry the Coast’s culture forward.”

ARM principal Aaron Poupard, who recently passed the Queensland studio lead role to Rickard remains a force in the local team, as well as nationally, said Rickard’s previous experience and personality are a perfect fit for ARM.

“Katherine’s got that rare ability to focus on what matters; the details and the big picture are in perfect harmony,” he said.

The fresh plans retain features from ARM’s early concepts:

• Venue capacity of approx. 2,500 standing
• Wrap around mezzanine balcony on three sides with 500 standing capacity
• A variety of seated modes and offerings to cater for different event and ticketing types
• Variety and equity for patrons, including people with disabilities
• A significant outside and shaded gathering space
• Food and beverage spaces
• Efficient back of house and loading zone