Historically regarded as the Gold Coast’s commercial heart, Southport has undergone a dramatic transformation since 2020, becoming one of southeast Queensland’s most rapidly evolving urban centres, where investment and opportunity sit alongside complex social challenges.
By most measures, it has all the infrastructure of a thriving CBD; the Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith University, a commercial and retail precinct, high-rise housing and the $90 million Broadwater Parklands – all connected by a network of six light rail stations.
Southport is undergoing a period of revitalisation to cement its spot as the Gold Coast’s CBD. Picture: Getty
Yet despite its official CBD status, Southport continues to grapple with a perception problem. Concerns of anti-social behaviour, homelessness and drug use have weighed on its reputation, while nearby Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads have captured much of the attention as the city’s social and nightlife hubs.
But many believe Southport’s next chapter is only just beginning, with a pipeline of major projects set to reshape the suburb and strengthen its position as the Gold Coast’s civic and commercial centre.
Doug Garvie, commercial property agent and board member of the Southport Chamber of Commerce, believes Southport has evolved from a “sleepy little place” into a thriving urban centre.
“It has the largest office precinct and workforce on the Gold Coast. It’s also home to the aquatic centre built for the Commonwealth Games, the revitalised Broadwater parklands and a growing mix of businesses and amenities,” Mr Garvie said. “There’s always something happening in and around Southport.”
Southport Chamber of Commerce president Broden Johnson agrees.
“Last October, we partnered with the Chinatown Committee to host a street party for the Mooncake Festival, which attracted close to 10,000 people to Southport Chinatown. Given it was NRL Grand Final weekend in a sport-obsessed city, we were thrilled with the turnout,” Mr Johnson said.
The Southport Chamber of Commerce Board, with Doug Garvie back right, and Broden Johnson front right. Picture: Supplied
An arena-sized opportunity
One of the most significant projects on the horizon is the proposed $350 million Gold Coast Arena, earmarked for a site near Carey Park.
The 12,000-seat venue is expected to play a key role ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, hosting major events while helping drive investment and renewal across the CBD.
Mr Garvie believes the project will be transformative for Southport.
“Think of all the bars, clubs and restaurants likely to open around the precinct,” he said. “It’s going to be a huge boost for the area, not just during the Olympics, but through the major sporting events and concerts it will attract for years to come.”
The arena is just one of several projects set to reshape the suburb.
Expansion of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, including the Lumina innovation district, is expected to attract new jobs and investment, while a planned supportive housing development aims to address growing housing and homelessness pressures.
An artist’s impression of the new 12,000-seat Gold Coast Arena. Picture: City of Gold Coast
Safety, homelessness and perception
Despite the wave of investment, Southport’s transformation has brought growing social pressures into sharper focus.
In recent years, homeless camps around Carey Park and the Broadwater foreshore have sparked debate over public safety, housing affordability and the future of the CBD.
But Doug Garvie believes the suburb’s reputation is somewhat disconnected from reality.
“The media keep harping on about it, but I think homelessness was more of an issue a few years ago. It’s more of an issue down in Burleigh Heads and Surfers Paradise, to be fair,” he said.
Tom Palmer, co-owner of Southport café Vector Coffee, agrees.
“Southport is actually really safe. We’ve never had a break-in or been vandalised. Sure, it’s a sad situation for some of the homeless people, but many are simply people who are doing it tough,” Mr Palmer told realcommercial.com.au.
According to Paul Burton, Griffith University Professor of Urban Management and Planning, perception can be just as powerful as reality when it comes to shaping a suburb’s reputation.
“People hear stories on the news and think, ‘I’m not going to Southport because I’ll get mugged or shouted at’. Whether that’s true or not becomes almost irrelevant if enough people believe it.”
A stronger CBD
One of the clearest indicators of Southport’s health as a CBD can be found in its office market.
According to Ray White Commercial, the suburb’s office vacancy rate fell to 8.1% in January 2026, down from 11.9% six months earlier.
Ray White Head of Research Vanessa Rader said vacancy rates have generally been trending down over the long term.
“Southport’s vacancy rates peaked at 15.4% in 2019 before falling to 5.6% in July 2023. Since then, they’ve fluctuated somewhat due to negative net absorption and new supply entering the market,” Ms Rader said.
Doug Garvie believes the current vacancy figure is being skewed by CBD 33, a recently refurbished A-grade office tower at 33 Scarborough Street that returned a significant amount of space to the market following its redevelopment.
“They completely gutted it and brought it back to market, which added around 3,000 square metres of vacant office space,” Mr Garvie said.
“They’ve since leased about one and a half floors, but half the building is still vacant. I think the vacancy rate would probably be closer to five or six per cent otherwise. I’d be surprised if it’s still half empty this time next year.”
The new CBD33 building has flooded Southport with new office supply. Picture: realcommercial.com.au
For Griffith University Professor Paul Burton, the next step in Southport’s evolution is attracting more major institutions and employers.
“If the Gold Coast City Council moved its chambers and office workers there, it would be a massive adrenaline shot for Southport to become a genuine CBD,” he said. “Or if you had the main courthouse there you’d end up with all sorts of businesses and services feeding off it – law firms, cafés, bars. It would lift the whole area.”
Garvie agrees.
“It’s always been on council’s agenda to relocate its offices to Southport, but it still hasn’t happened,” he said. “That said, the mayor’s office is there, which gives you an indication of how important he believes Southport to be.”
Residential demand surges
Southport’s residential market has boomed in recent years, fuelled by strong demand for apartments, improving amenity and continued investment across the CBD.
PropTrack data shows Southport’s median house price has almost doubled over the past five years, rising from $670,000 in June 2020 to $1.2 million in April 2026.
Apartments have followed a similar trajectory, with the median unit price climbing from $400,000 to $778,400 over the same period.
Southport is battling to shirk its reputation as a down-and-out suburb to re-emerge as the Gold Coast’s business hub. Picture: Getty
Vector Coffee co-owner Tom Palmer has witnessed the change firsthand.
“When we opened in 2019, we only traded during the week. We tried Saturdays, but there was barely any foot traffic,” he said. “These days, weekdays are still driven by office workers, but weekends are crazy. We get so many locals through the door that weekends are actually busier than weekdays.”
Mr Palmer said that while many businesses closed during the pandemic, an influx of new residents has helped fuel a wave of hospitality openings.
“Chinatown in particular has really taken off over the past few years,” he said. “Around Nerang and Young streets there are still empty shopfronts, but hopefully that changes soon. It does seem like some sites sit vacant for a long time.”
“But every new business that opens is good for the area. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats.”
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