e was held back for six months while his family and the Knight Frank leasing agents worked to secure their preferred mix of core tenants. “We were not prepared to fill the centre with standard conventional retailers, which we could have done three times over,” Harvey said. “Instead we patiently pursued and worked with our preferred tenant mix and operators to reach agreements that both parties were happy with, and whilst this took a little longer than expected, the centre will strongly benefit in the future.” Harvey said the launch of the final stage was a significant milestone. “We are very pleased with the level of enquiry and particularly the quality of the tenants we have been able to secure,” he said. “The project has already proved a leasing success in a constricted market and this is continuing.” Existing access and parking issues will be solved in the next couple of months to allow easier access for customers supporting the current tenants now trading. “We encourage locals to support their local traders, with some operators trading in the Old Capri Commercial Centre for about 30 years,” he said. “It’s business as usual and we are excited to bring the vision and final construction phase to fruition.” When completed, the prime retail and commercial hub will comprise approximately 60 specialty retail and commercial tenancies and 261 car spaces. “Already more than 65 per cent of the project has been secured, with the remaining spaces expected to attract a rush of enquiries now that construction works have commenced and a pre-Christmas 2013 completion date confirmed,” Harvey said. The final stage will deliver an alfresco providores market hall containing a mix of artisan food operators and a 1079sqm fresh food and produce supermarket. Development manager, John Clark, said the Capri on Via Roma centre would create a holistic shopping experience for a convenience conscious consumer. “The centre will have a comprehensive range of fresh food retailers, restaurants and cafes and a mix of fashion, beauty, medical, legal and other professional service providers,” Clark said. “Like any new development, timing is crucial and commercial space at Capri on Via Roma will be ready for new retailers to be trading before the busy Christmas period,” he said. “The idea all along was to try and bring something different to the city of the Gold Coast and offer a shopping experience, where customers’ needs are catered for all under the one roof.” The waterfront site was initially developed by the late Sir Bruce Small in the 1960s and the Sydney owners, the Harvey family, are continuing the vision albeit with a modern twist. Knight Frank associate director of retail leasing, Ashley Moffat, said retail spaces range from market kiosks, through to waterfront café opportunities between 30sqm to 1076sqm with commercial offices ranging from 45sqm to 700sqm, some with water and city views. “The quality of tenants has been crucial. Our focus has been on working with the ‘best of the best’ local retailers. The project is being supported by iconic Gold Coast retailers along with a select few businesses from Brisbane. We have hand-picked retailers we want – florist, deli, bottle shop to name a few,” Moffat said. “We expect to see tenants of the same vein move in to the remaining spaces. With limited spaces available we urge interested business owners to register their interest quickly to avoid missing out on the space they would prefer.” Tenants already trading include Urban Fix Espresso, The Pantry at Capri, Australia Post, Capri Pharmacy, Travelscene on Capri, Capri newsagency, John-Paul Langbroek MP, Woods Hatcher Solicitors, Totally Dental @ Capri and Capital Dynamics Investments. For leasing enquiries, contact John Clark on 0419 672 781, Ashley Moffat on 0410 524 146 from Knight Frank, or visit www.caprionviaroma.com.au