The Pavilion Arcade, a central Airlie Beach retail centre that has been transformed since the devastation of Cyclone Debbie two years ago, is set for a $4.3 million expansion.

The plans follow the $3 million in repairs and upgrades that have been undertaken by property owner Jobern in the time since the cyclone hit during March 2017, as well as an additional $1.3 million spent in the final stages of completion.

Jobern is headed by Josh Thompson, the developer who created Peppers Coral Coast Resort in the Whitsundays and who also played a significant role in the transformation of inner Byron Bay more than 20 years ago.

Mr Thompson said the planned upgrade had been on the drawing board for some time, with council approvals granted just a month before the cyclone devastated the region.

“Pavilion Arcade was one of the worst-affected buildings in Airlie Beach, but with the support of our tenants and our insurer we have bounced back well,” he said.

The repairs have led to a fresh new look for Pavilion Arcade, which has been completely reskinned with the addition of a new awning and façade elements.

The majority of shops have also been redone internally.

The repairs and refurbishment, which took 20 months to complete, forced Jobern to place its original expansion plans onto the backburner.

“Most of the retail areas were a write-off after the cyclone and we had to start from scratch to rebuild them,” said Mr Thompson.

“Now that that work is complete, the time is right for us to get on with our original plans,” he said.

"We have now added to our original plans with an addition of a 60KW Solar Array system to help reduce power cost of all the tenants.

“Airlie Beach is back on its feet, the tourists have returned and business is on the rise.

The Whitsunday Regional Council has just completed a $7 million dollar upgrade of the Airlie Foreshore immediately between Pavilion Arcade and the ocean.

Jobern’s plans include a new 180 square metre restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a 155 square metre rooftop restaurant and bar featuring Vergola roofs, a new 100sqm café and a day spa.

All the new spaces will offer parkland access and ocean views across the Coral Sea.

Existing tenants in the Pavilion Arcade include national tenants Rip Curl, Boost Juice and Brighteyes Sunglasses.

Jobern expects the work to be completed by the end of September.

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