CONCERNS over the energy and vibe of the Kingston foreshore development have been laid to rest with four restaurateurs signing up to open eateries along the boardwalk.
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The chief executive of Englobo Group, Terry Shaw, who led the group's $60 million Aurora project between Eastlake Parade and the harbour boardwalk, said the sales contracts proved the ambitious lifestyle precinct would buzz.
''The focus and question mark over the Kingston foreshore for a lot of people, including people who live here, is when is the mixed-use, restaurant, public space going to happen, and is it going to work?''
Mr Shaw said the sales in a sluggish commercial market proved the value of the area.
''Canberra-wide you could argue that commercial sales are soft,'' he said. ''But with the investment we've now got in our project and this project on dockside - yes, absolutely yes, it is going to work.
''In Aurora, we've sold to three restaurants - La Rustica in Kingston is moving down, and another is Morks, a Thai restaurant in Florey.''
The third restaurant, yet unnamed, will have a beef display and an oyster bar, while a cafe-style eatery will also open on the corner.
Mr Shaw said the group's next development at Kingston foreshore, a $100 million project called Element with 140 apartments, already had interest for the commercial spaces on the ground floor, even though building had not started.
Mr Shaw said the popularity of the new development meant it would not be built in stages.
''We've exchanged on 100 apartments - that's locked in, not deposits,'' he said.
The Land Development Agency's Glenn Lacey said boats would start docking in the harbour next month.
''We're working on the licences and fees for the commercial boat-users we already have in the lake, and so we're hoping that come May they'll be mooring there and the public can access those services out of the harbour,'' Mr Lacey said. EWA KRETOWICZ
