The retail location, which is the first of its type in Australia, is the supporting act to Eagers Automotive’s huge Automall BNE dealership site within the Brisbane Airport’s mixed-use development valued at $1 billion and set to open in late 2024.

Eagers Automotive’s retail project manager – property, Antoinette Banwell, told GoAutoNews Premium that the shopping centre will host eight new-car brands including Porsche, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda and Subaru with space available for events to show featured launch and heritage models and other brands.

Eagers cleverly absorbed its Volkswagen and Honda dealerships into the shopping centre, effectively closing the bricks-and-mortar presence of the two franchises.

Ms Banwell said the company was fortunate that the eight brands – including Volkswagen and Honda – owned the designated PMA.

Asked if the concept could be transferred to other states, she said it was certainly possible and this would be investigated after the completion of Indooroopilly’s opening. 

The operation is designed around the sale of new and used cars, with Easyauto123 having a presence for used-car buyers. It will also cater for a wider audience, including a playground for children and a cafe zone.

Ms Banwell said that the shopping centre premises has a seven-year lease with options and is “definitely not a pop-up”.

“It’s the first of its kind in Australia under one company. It’s the motorshow of the future, but permanent,” she said.

The operation will allow Eagers to consolidate back office and administration functions. Customer-facing sales staff will be dedicated to each specific brand. They are available to sell, discuss and value trades, instigate finance and insurance and organise vehicle delivery.

Eagers’ chief executive officer Keith Thornton said in a statement in February last year that: “We know that what customers are looking for in a car shopping experience has changed.

“By bringing our car sales operation into the familiarity of a shopping centre environment, we’re simply modernising our offering. It’s an Australian first that we couldn’t be more excited about.”

The shopping centre also has a 12-bay rooftop service centre on Level 6 and a service customer lounge and drop-off zone on Level 5. 

This multi-brand workshop is in addition to Eagers’ Albion workshop created within a former Bunnings warehouse and which is now servicing Holden, Honda and Subaru brands. 

At the end of March a second level will open for servicing other brands and offer an express service.

The Eagers retail site was designed by Queensland architect WIM Architects which has worked on building and interior design for clients including automotive companies such as Eagers, Autopact and Von Bibra alongside the role as Honda Australia’s appointed architect.

The team from WIM included partner Mitchell Young. The facility was built by Mainbrace Constructions.

By Neil Dowling