Robina Group’s $200 million Robina Automall, Queensland’s first purpose built automotive precinct covering 7.81 hectares, has reached a major milestone, with the final site now sold to existing Automall motor dealer von Bibra Robina.
The sale of the 6477sqm site settled this week for an undisclosed price and brings von Bibra Robina’s total landholding in the precinct to more than 35,000sqm.
Robina Group is now investigating options to expand the Robina Automall into adjoining land, with demand for space in the precinct remaining strong.
The sale of the latest site also comes as von Bibra Robina continues to power ahead on its third major expansion at Robina Automall, due for completion in the first quarter of next year (2015).
The expansion will include two new showrooms and bring the Mitsubishi and Subaru brands to CBDRobina for the first time, meaning the Robina Automall will be home to all of the top 10 car brands in Australia, with the exception of Ford.
von Bibra general manager Wade von Bibra said the new site was strategically located adjoining the expansion, but the company had no immediate plans to develop it.
“The land is located next to our operations, with frontage to Christine Avenue, which runs to Robina Town Centre, and is adjacent to the development happening within the CityVillage community, so it certainly made sense for us to buy it,” he said.
“As motor dealers, we are always looking for new space. In the short term, we plan to utilise the site to display or store our vehicles and, over the long term, will definitely develop it to take full advantage of the prime location.
“Whether or not we put another dealership on the site, we don’t know at this stage. We plan to leave it for two or three years and see what we decide then.”
von Bibra Robina purchased about 30,000sqm of land, including Robina Holden at Robina Automall in 2007. It expanded to include Nissan and Honda in 2010 and added a dedicated Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi service centre, workshop and parts warehouse in 2012.
The latest expansion, being completed on a 6000sqm site adjoining the existing facilities, will include two 350sqm showrooms, sales display areas, a detail bay, office space and front, rear and rooftop parking for 180 cars.
“We’re really excited to be bringing two great automotive brands in Mitsubishi and Subaru to Robina Automall, which are really the last pieces in the puzzle to making this a true comprehensive Automall,” said Mr von Bibra.
Robina Group general manager Hylton Slater said the sale of the final parcel of land was a significant milestone for a project that had changed the way people in Gold Coast City shopped for cars.
Mr Slater said Robina Group would look to expand the precinct further in the future, in-line with on-going demand from automotive manufacturers and associated services.
“We are looking at options to bring more auto uses to adjoining vacant land,” he said.
“The calibre of automotive brands we’ve been able to attract to this precinct has been phenomenal.
“To have so many of the top car marquees in Australia operating from the one precinct has delivered a true one-stop-shop for those looking to buy or service a car, something that had not been available anywhere in Queensland to this point, and it is a concept auto businesses want to be a part of.”
Mr Slater said the positioning of Robina Automall at the geographical heart of Gold Coast City, within a 20 minute drive of 86 per cent of its population, and close to CBDRobina’s business centre had been a key to its success.
“The location has made these brands easily accessible to customers,” he said.
Along with Holden, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru, Robina Automall features Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen and Hyundai showrooms, and used vehicles and ancillary automotive services including Signature Tyres, Auto Leaders and Robina Car and Dog Wash.
