A little taste of the Big Apple

One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic waterfront dining and entertainment venues is undergoing a major transformation that will see it become a New York City-inspired restaurant, lounge bar and function centre.Burleigh-based Rayjon Group, which has been established on the Gold Coast for more than three decades, is progressing with a $2 million overhaul of 150 Bundall Road which will further benefit the area’s resurgence, driven by Gold Coast City Council’s recent acquisition of the Waterside East and West buildings and Zurich House.Rebranded as One50 Public House, the venue will offer an upmarket take on the traditional pub with a contemporary, city vibe.The extensive refurbishment follows Rayjon’s acquisition of the 3,145sqm property, previously known as Surfers Rowers, for $3.5 million in May last year.Rayjon Group general manager Jeremy Dunn said One50 Public House would open in March and employ 35 hospitality, administration and management staff.“The venue has long been a favourite among locals so our challenge has been to create a place that they continue to enjoy while appealing to a wider market,” he said.“Being just two kilometres from Surfers Paradise and in the heart of the Bundall office precinct we’re poised to tap into the growing workforce in the area.“Bundall is undergoing a major renaissance and One50 Public House is essentially the first piece in the new Bundall puzzle.“We’ve started from scratch in redesigning the venue with the aim of creating a truly unique space that will appeal to locals, workers and visitors to the Gold Coast.”Building works on the new venue commenced late last year, with internal fittings and fixtures removed in preparation for the new fit-out.When complete, the building will have a 70 seat restaurant serving gastro-pub cuisine, lounge bar and upstairs function venue with capacity for 350 guests.There is also a hotel license in place with approval for up to 40 gaming machines.In redesigning the venue, Rayjon has adopted an industrial warehouse styling theme which will see it make use of raw-look building materials and fittings.Large windows and al fresco deck areas will make the most of the building’s north-facing frontage to the Nerang River and views to the Surfers Paradise skyline.Rayjon also acquired an additional parcel of land adjoining the site which will be used for parking.Rayjon operates the chic Café Urbia at Treetops Shopping Centre and has been responsible for a number of the Gold Coast’s major development projects, including Treetops Shopping Centre and Christine Corner Shopping Centre.The company has also laid plans to transform Treetops into a $500 million mixed-use village hub that will see it rebranded as Urbia Burleigh over the next several years.