Broadbeach, Queensland
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Broadbeach is a suburb of the Gold Coast. The area of Broadbeach was vacant open land until 1955 and was the site of sand mining up to that time. The subsequent subdivision of the area broke with traditional patterns in two ways. Firstly in the provision of a beachfront reserve or park stretching the length of the area from Queensland Avenue to Peerless Avenue at Mermaid Beach (where an earlier subdivision reinstated the norm of allotments running right up to the beach) and in the extension of Surf Parade running close to and parallel to the highway effectively breaking the concept of strip development along the highway at that point. The development of the area was led by the construction of Lennons Broadbeach Hotel in 1955 - now the site of the Oasis Hotel and shopping centre in Victoria Avenue.
With one or two exceptions, development in the area is low rise consisting of single houses and importantly in a building form of apartments based on a terrace house concept of two storied narrow fronted apartments. This building form and others of similar scale dominate the area. Generally set back from the street with elaborate carports in front that represent a growing dependence on the motor car for transportation and as a status symbol. Vegetation and planting is introduced and is characteristically of the 1960s. Native shrubs and hibiscus are more common than the ubiquitous palm. Some resort buildings of the period such as the Tropicana Motel at Mermaid Avenue and the Gold Coast highway are important in identifying the period of the area's development.
Broadbeach has recently become a more chic place to visit, with a swathe of trendy cafes and nightclubs springing up along Surf Parade and Albert Ave, particularly those at the Phoenician Resort and Aria buildings.
The area is home to Queensland's largest shopping centre, Pacific Fair, which serves as the regional public transport hub. The area is also home to the Conrad Jupiters Casino, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Oasis Shopping Centre. Well known apartment blocks include Beach Haven, Niecon Plaza, the Hi-Ho Motel, Belle Maison, Bel Air and Air on Broadbeach.
A monorail connects the Oasis with Jupiters, but unfortunately was not extended to the other major developments.
The Gold Coast Oceanway provides pedestrians and cyclists access along the beaches of Broadbeach.
