Construction has started on a large retail hub in one of the Sunshine Coast’s fastest-growing areas.
The first sod was turned on the Aura Home + Life precinct at Baringa. Among the tenants will be Spotlight, Anaconda and Harris Scarfe.
The centre is expected to create up to 100 jobs during construction and more than 250 permanent and casual jobs upon completion.
The 20,000sqm, $80 million project is being developed by Capital Property Group, providing a significant retail investment as part of progression of the broader Aura master-planned community.
Capital Property Group’s head of property Richard Snow said the sod turning was an exciting step.
“The Aura Home + Life project is set to offer quality retail options for the Aura community and surrounds, including Caloundra residents and hinterland towns west of the Bruce Highway,” he said.
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“Along with construction commencement, we are extremely excited to be able to announce the commitment of Spotlight Property Group’s three brands to the centre, all with best-in-class lifestyle offerings.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of retail growth on the Sunshine Coast with such a significant development, drawing on more than 40-years’ of expertise in commercial and retail development.
“With the Sunshine Coast population anticipated population growth exceeding half a million by 2046, we look forward to supporting the evolving needs of existing and future residents for decades to come.”
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State Member for Caloundra Kendall Moreton said the new jobs, investment and expanded retail options were exciting for the Aura area.
“‘I’m so happy to see this much needed and exciting project begin,” she said.
“Bringing this range of businesses to the region is a fantastic edition to our rapidly-expanding community.”
Spotlight Group executive deputy chairman Zac Fried said its three brands would anchor the precinct, leasing about 40 per cent of the available retail area.
Spotlight will occupy a 4000sqm space and Anaconda and Harris Scarfe will each take 2000sqm tenancies.
“We are thrilled to partner with Capital Property Group to bring a diverse and top-tier range of home and lifestyle brands to the Aura and Sunshine Coast community, spanning everything from homewares, manchester and electrical goods, to outdoor and recreational products,” he said.
Stockland development director Josh Sondergeld welcomed the construction milestone for the centre, which will build on Aura’s existing retail options.
“Aura is a connected, sustainable and vibrant place to live, work and play, and the calibre of tenants coming into Aura Home + Life is exciting news for our residents and those in the surrounding areas,” he said.
“We are pleased to have worked in partnership with Capital Property Group to deliver this new home and lifestyle hub, which provides a dynamic mix of national brands that allow the Aura community to shop locally with ease.”
Aura Home + Life will include more than 12 retail tenancies, ranging from 350sqm to 5000sqm and up to two food and beverage outlets, allowing for a mix of home and lifestyle tenants.
It’s expected to be open for business by md-2026.
The precinct is located on the corner of Graf Drive and Aura Boulevard, adjacent to Aura Business Park.
It will offer 400 car parks and easy access to the Bells Creek Arterial Road and Bruce Highway.
The Spotlight Group leasing transaction was brokered by Damian Crocetti from Transact Capital.
More information on Aura Home + Life can be found at aurahomelife.com.au and leasing enquiries can be directed to Damian Crocetti, Transact Capital at damian@transactcapital.com.au
