Only one site remaining at Robina Automall

Gold Coast car industry figure Warren Von Bibra is setting the scene for a major expansion of his Automall operations, adding two new showrooms at his Robina Holden property and acquiring neighbouring land.

The expansion follows the addition of two as yet undisclosed marques to his stable of vehicle franchises and will see his latest Robina Automall property acquisition utilised for the provision of service facilities.

The new landholding, acquired from Robina Projects Australia for an undisclosed sum, measures 4836 square metres and sits between Robina Holden and Grande Motors Prestige Mercedes Benz dealership on Scottsdale Drive.

The new showrooms have been developed at a cost of $3 million and sit on a portion of the 1ha Robina Holden property and will include administration facilities.

Work on the single level buildings began in January and they are scheduled for completion by late October.

Mr Von Bibra said service facilities on the newly acquired site would complement the new-marque showrooms and a start to development would be made within 18 months.

"The acquisition of two new franchises is very exciting for us, and the Robina Automall - a purpose designed automotive and marine precinct at the centre of Gold Coast City - is the perfect location for them," he said.

"CBDRobina is developing as a major business hub and we have seen significant growth at Robina Holden since its purchase in late 2005.

"The business has gone from strength to strength and we believe a central-city location will be of great benefit in ensuring the success of the new marques.

"The expansion is about giving people greater choice and details of the new franchises will be released in the coming months."

Mr Von Bibra, who holds Nissan, Honda, Kia and Suzuki franchises and a Thrifty Car Rental franchise as well as Robina Holden, also has showroom facilities at Southport and Tweed Heads.

The Robina Holden business, among the largest Holden dealerships nationwide, sits on a 1ha parcel and was the first to be set up in the Automall.

It was established in 1997 and was acquired by Mr Von Bibra from its founder, Paul van Riet, in a deal understood to be worth $20 million that also included a 1.5ha holding comprising three additional lots in Brabham Circuit.

The land houses indoor and outdoor vehicle displays and is directly opposite Robina Holden.

RPA Properties General Manager Hylton Slater said acquisition of the additional site and expansion of the showroom facilities were a clear indication of the appeal of the Automall.

"The Automall offers all Gold Coast City residents the convenience of multiple vehicle options in the one location, reducing drive times when shopping for a vehicle.  Robina’s central city location is easily accessible to all Gold Coast suburbs and beyond offering dealerships the opportunity to increase their customer reach while also providing large sites for the development of extensive facilities," he said.

"The addition of new facilities by Mr Von Bibra will bring an even greater focus to the Automall which, we believe, is alone in the Gold Coast City in offering such opportunities."    

Along with Robina Holden, businesses operating in the Automall include Signature Tyre and Auto Care, Office King Stationary, Robina Car and Dogwash, and Grande  Motors Prestige Mercedes Benz.

Mr Von Bibra's acquisition of the 4836 square metre holding leaves only one parcel remaining for sale in the Automall, an 8022 square metre subdividable site suitable for a wide range of commercial uses.

It has been placed on the market by RPA Properties, associated with Robina Land Corporation, the company responsible for the evolution and development of Robina over more than two decades, which laid plans for the Automall in the 1990s.

The site is being marketed by Marcus Weld, of Robina Marketing Australia, who said the fact that it could be put to any of a range of uses gave the property a broad appeal.

"Sites for showrooms are few and far between and the landholding is well located to accommodate furniture, kitchen, or bathroom display centres, not solely automotive and marine facilities," he said.

"Also, the ease of access to the Automall from the Pacific Highway, and major Robina thoroughfares Robina Parkway and Scottsdale Drive makes it suitable for many additional purposes.

"These include educational, recreational and entertainment amenities, commercial facilities, medical uses, veterinary clinic, gymnasium, distribution centre, nursery outlet and place of worship."