Why Southport Is the Commercial Capital of the Gold Coast
Why Southport Is the Commercial Capital of the Gold Coast
Southport, long known as the legal and education hub of the Gold Coast, has evolved into a commercial property powerhouse, thanks to its dual-core zoning strategy, medical and legal precincts, and growing demand for flexible-use buildings.
In 2025, Southport is experiencing record-low commercial vacancy rates, investor-led property acquisition, and a sharp increase in demand for freehold, strata, and mixed-use commercial assets.
Norton’s Real Estate is proud to be a leading sales agency in the Southport commercial sector — providing property owners with strategic sales guidance, off-market access, and professional representation.
Key Commercial Precincts in Southport
Precinct | Primary Asset Class | Buyer Demand Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Nerang Street Legal Precinct | Office Suites, Legal Firms | High foot traffic, consistent rental demand |
Scarborough Street Core | Retail + Mixed-Use | Restaurants, cafes, general retail |
Queen Street Medical Zone | Allied Health + Specialists | Proximity to GCUH and transport |
Southport Priority Dev. Area | Flexible Zoning, Mixed Use | DA potential for high-rise or multi-tenant use |
Commercial Property Types in Demand
1. Strata-Titled Offices
60–120m² suites with shared amenities
Favoured by medical, law, accountancy, and migration agents
Rental yields: 5.5–6.3% (depending on fit-out and location)
2. Mixed-Use Retail + Apartment Blocks
Ground floor shopfronts with residential above
Scarborough St and Young St popular with investors
Suitable for live-and-work owner-occupiers
3. Freehold Commercial Buildings
400m²+ land with standalone building
Attractive to developers, national brands, or medical franchises
Rarely available, often sold off-market
Who’s Buying in Southport’s Commercial Market?
Buyer Type | Intent |
|---|---|
Interstate Investors | Long-term hold with lease security |
Owner-Occupiers | Professional practice or showroom use |
Developers | Knockdown and rebuild opportunities |
Medical/Wellness Businesses | Tenancy expansion and proximity to GCUH |
Market Trends Norton’s Is Tracking
Demand Spike in Allied Health
The opening of additional wings at Gold Coast University Hospital has triggered a ripple effect across the Queen Street medical zone. Clinics, physiotherapists, and cosmetic specialists are absorbing available stock quickly.
Transition from Pure Office to Mixed Use
Zoning changes in the Priority Development Area (PDA) have opened new pathways for investors to repurpose existing commercial stock into part-residential, part-retail tenancies.
Lower Vacancy = Higher Confidence
Southport’s core zones are now recording vacancy rates below 4%, a sharp contrast to some CBD strips in Brisbane or Sydney.
Buyer Profiles: Who Should Consider Southport?
A. Local Business Owners Expanding
If you’ve outgrown your home-based business or serviced office, Southport offers centrality, parking, and existing tenant ecosystems to plug into.
B. Medical Professionals
Especially cosmetic injectables, physios, specialists, and diagnostic labs — Queen St is zoning-compliant and 3 mins to the hospital.
C. Investors Seeking Dual-Income
Mixed-use buildings with street-front retail and residential above can provide dual-income streams, often outperforming standard assets.
Commercial Selling Considerations
As active selling agents in Southport, Norton’s offers:
Asset positioning advice: Maximising your tenant type and yield
Off-market sale options: Targeting high-net-worth and cash buyers
DA and zoning insight: Helping your buyer see upside
Tenant profiling: Matching sale timing to lease expiry windows
What to Watch in 2025–2026
Light Rail Expansion – Southport to Burleigh stage to drive traffic
Further University Clinic Developments – Driving demand for related practitioners
Southport PDA Expansion – May increase build height limits in selected pockets
Retail Lease Inflation – Driving interest in freehold vs leased space
🔍 Property Selection Criteria for Investors
✅ Look for proximity to parking and tram
✅ Check building history, insurance claims, and services
✅ Prioritise corner lots for signage + visibility
✅ Aim for multiple tenancies in one building (risk distribution)
✅ Understand strata vs freehold restrictions for future upgrades
Recent Example: 93 Scarborough Street
110m² retail/office + mezzanine
Net return: $61,000/annum
Sold by Norton’s off-market to a Brisbane-based investor
11-day contract → settlement in 34 days
Working With Norton’s as Your Commercial Sales Partner
We work with:
Property owners seeking market evaluation
Developers seeking buyer-matched stock
Business owners seeking to purchase instead of lease
With active buyer lists, strategic marketing plans, and a clear understanding of Southport zoning and asset potential, we ensure your property is presented to the right buyer segment at the right time.
Summary
Southport is more than just the CBD of the Gold Coast — it’s a multi-zoned commercial landscape with yield potential, infrastructure alignment, and long-term upside.
As specialist commercial agents in Southport, Norton’s is your direct partner for:
Discreet commercial property sales
Owner-occupier acquisition strategies
Buyer match-making and pre-sale assessments
Multi-tenant, strata, and freehold asset sales
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Norton’s Real Estate Agency does not accept liability for decisions made based on this content. Always seek professional legal, financial or real estate advice before purchasing or selling commercial property.