The Iconic neon sign currently residing on the old Myer building at Coorparoo has been removed to signal the start of the revitalisation of the Coorparoo Junction Precinct.

The sign will be stored until the first stage of the development is finalised and will be reinstated to form part of the new development’s identity.

A $232 million urban renewal development, a joint venture development between Honeycombes Property Group and Australand, Coorparoo Square will create a dynamic, vibrant transit-orientated community that caters to residents’ and workers’ daily needs.

The three-tower development will include 360 apartments, a 6,000 square metre retail precinct and the 10-theatre Dendy Cinema. This is a catalyst project for the revitalisation of the Coorparoo Junction Precinct; originally a historical major retail precinct for Brisbane.

The Myer shopping centre opened in 1960 and was Brisbane’s first suburban shopping centre before changing to a Megamart in the 1990s, at which point it switched its focus to electronics and furniture. It was eventually purchased by retailer Harvey Norman in 2005, but the global financial crisis impacted most of Australia’s larger retail stores and as a result, the site has been vacant for many years.

This development will bring life back to an area that was recently forgotten, and will contribute favourably to the public realm. Design elements such as internal public laneways, a retail arcade, marketplace culture, an active pedestrian scaled streetscape and integrated public transport will contribute to a vibrant place designed for people to inhabit day and night.

The transit-orientated development will integrate into the masterplan the Eastern Busway extension, linking Buranda to Capalaba. According to the Department of Transport and Main Roads website, “Planning for the ultimate Eastern Busway between Main Avenue, Coorparoo and Capalaba is currently being revised, with further stages subject to funding and government priorities.”

Probuild, a nationally successful construction company, has been appointed for the demolition and construction of Coorparoo Square, with stage one expected to be completed in 2018. The removal of the iconic Myer sign heralds the start of the revitalisation and the beginning of the New Coorparoo.