A piece of the Gold Coast's history has been saved following a community backlash over a potential redevelopment plan.

Key points: Gold Coast City Council has added the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade to the Local Heritage Register

Gold Coast City Council has added the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade to the Local Heritage Register The site had been tipped for potential demolition in favour of 14-storey apartment block

The site had been tipped for potential demolition in favour of 14-storey apartment block The decision follows a significant public push to protect the building's historical value

The Gold Coast City Council has voted to add one of the city's original movie theatres, the 90-year-old Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, to the Local Heritage Register.

In August it was revealed the site had been sold to Sydney developers for $18.5 million, with the company intending to build a 14-storey luxury apartment block on the site.

But earlier this week the Council's Economy, Planning and Environment Committee recommended the building be placed on the heritage register, arguing the arcade had been an integral part of Burleigh's character since it opened in the 1930s.

De Luxe Theatre, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, in the 1930s. ( Supplied: Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection )

Character a key issue in development-driven Gold Coast

The Council received 15 written submissions in support of heritage listing, including from the granddaughter and grandson of the original developer, William Fradgely, as well as the Australian Institute of Architects.

Three submissions opposed it, stating the building had been remodelled in 1955 and again 1976, and no longer operated as a cinema.

In its submission, the Office of the City Architect said it supported heritage listing as the building was the only remaining historical picture theatre in the region, and one of the last remaining civic buildings with which locals have strong historical and cultural connections.

The Australian Institute of Architects said in its submission that placing heritage registration on the arcade after its owner had already begun investigating redevelopment options "places property owners in a situation where there is a lack of surety about potential property yields."

The Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade faces an uncertain future, despite being heritage-listed. ( ABC Gold Coast: Solua Middleton )

Mayor Tom Tate said while that view "has merit", the decision has been made in the city's best interests.

"Sometimes you move quicker than others," Mr Tate said.

"Well, the decision is done now and it is what it is.

"We've got to reflect on our heritage, we don't have a lot of it, and this was an opportunity to save this."

Deputy Mayor Donna Bates was the only councillor who voted against the motion..

"It has been renovated in the 70s, it's not the most beautiful building you've ever seen," Ms Bates said.

"I disagreed with the timing of our putting that building on the heritage register when there was a contract of sale already on that property."

The listing means any development on the site will have to preserve the cultural significance and character of the building.

'Feels like home'

Shane Graham, who owns a shop at the arcade, said there is still potential to redevelop the site while maintaining its heritage appeal.

"It is a pretty iconic spot so to see something generic go up would be a shame," he said.

Carly Worthington is a waitress at a restaurant in the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. ( ABC Gold Coast )

"It's pretty rare you come across something like this so if the opportunity ever came up to activate this space in a way, other than another apartment building, I think there'd be a huge opportunity there."

Waitress Carly Worthington said her family has operated a Mexican restaurant at the arcade for the past 36 years.

"It feels like home," Ms Worthington said.

"Even some of the customers feel like family," she said.

"It would be good if we could stay, just hopefully the construction doesn't leave us out of work … but we'll just have to find out."

Historical value, but future uncertain

More than 7,500 people signed online petitions calling for the arcade to be saved, while thousands of comments in support of the arcade have been posted on social media.

Prior to being partially destroyed during a cyclone in 1954, the arcade operated as the De Luxe theatre, hosting balls, dances, and sporting celebrations.

On ABC Gold Coast's Facebook page, local John said the site is "iconic to Burleigh heads."

"My parent went on dates there," he wrote.

The Old Burleigh Arcade's interior in 2019. ( ABC Gold Coast: Solua Middleton )

Another commenter, Jeff, said that "the building is evocative of a different time and we should honour the past."

But other local residents have questioned preserving the building, including Wayan, who said "no one uses it."

"I grew up on that street," he wrote.

"It's never used. Time to put something that is actually used by people … 14 story building of homes … perfect."

The arcade becomes the Gold Coast's 84th place of local heritage significance.

When it was for sale earlier this year, the arcade had received significant interested from buyers, with 153 inquiries and 10 offers.

The site's developer, Weiya Holdings, has been contacted for comment.