With just over one third of the $9m required for a proposed redevelopment of Surfers Paradise’s iconic Cavill Mall already allocated, the draft plan for the redevelopment has gone on display.

Designed to ‘de-clutter’ the space, the redevelompent makes provision for dynamic coloured LED lighting, raised busking platforms and more shade trees.  The need for the upgrade has been almost universally accepted already, as the space is beginning to look tired – especially compared to the freshly upgraded foreshore and new Soul commercial space.

Surfers Paradise Councillor Susie Douglas is hoping that the remaning funding will be allocated in this years’ budget.

While Juniper’s new building, Soul, will not be completed until 2011 – it has been announced that the ground-level shopping and dining precinct, at the beach end of Cavill Mall should be open for business by the end of the year.

Following in the footsteps of Raptis’ Chevron Rennaisance and Sunland’s Circle on Cavill Developments, this third major new development is the next stage in the urban renewal of Surfers Paradise.  Soul is seen by many as a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the Esplanade precinct, and in Juniper’s recently release concept art is anything to go by, it will mark a great leap forward.

The tower itself, due for completion two years hence is 60% sold.

Just a block away, the (currently) Raptis Group-owned ‘Iluka’ tower remains on the market – the redevelopment of which would further enhance the Surfers Paradise Esplanade.