It’s hard to believe it has already been a year since Cali Beach Club opened their doors, and a momentous one at that, having welcomed over 500,000 guests through the doors and hosting some of the biggest events of the year.
The venue was certainly a tremendous undertaking by Artesian Hospitality, which envisioned a world-class $10 million Ibiza-style rooftop beach club with unrivalled leisure facilities, dining experiences and entertainment options.
However, it was not all smooth sailing, with a global pandemic hitting construction and producing a nine-month delay and a $3 million dollar increase in costs, not to mention supply shortages, all to open their doors at the height of COVID restrictions.
But now, fast forward twelve months after opening its doors, the venue has successfully navigated a global tourism and hospitality downturn, a run of lengthy social distancing and venue restrictions to defy expectations and celebrate a bumper year of visitors and major events.
“We broke the mould for Australian entertainment venues when we opened Cali Beach Club, delivering the Gold Coast’s first day-life pool venue and, more recently – its first rooftop winter wonderland,” said Artesian Hospitality Founder and Managing Director Matthew Keegan.
“The continued strong visitation we’ve witnessed despite lockdowns, outbreaks and border closures is a testament to the global standard entertainment precinct we have built; and to the local and interstate desire to have fun regardless of the unprecedented circumstance.”
The year saw some of the biggest names in entertainment. take to the Cali Beach Club decks, including Grammy-nominated music producer and international DJ Steve Aoki; Australia’s #1 Female DJ three years in a row and one of the most in-demand producers, DJ Tigerlily; and ARIA Award Winning Sneaky Sound System.
As the cooler months arrived, we wondered what would become of Cali and if we would see the bumper crowds of summer, but the team at Artesian Hospitality had a surprise up their sleeve for everyone when they unveiled The Rooftop Lodge, a quarter of a million dollar activation to transforming the venue into a winter wonderland.
Every inch of the venue was transformed, with over 60 snow-topped trees, fire pits and faux snow falling throughout the venue. In addition, a massive dome Igloo bar situated within an Alpine Forest the size of a tennis court has been craned in, complete with a purpose-built toboggan slide for entry and all the cosy furnishing to make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a warm mountain chalet.
All of this in their first year of operation, we are excited to see what the next twelve months have in store for Cali Beach Club, and we hear there might be a few new venues opening from the Artesian Hospitality team, so watch this space.