Coffs Harbour’s city centre entered a new chapter today with the official opening of CODA, a landmark mixed-use development designed to bring life back to the CBD.

The collaborative project between C.ex Group and Paynter Dixon features ninety-five TURNER-designed apartments and ground-floor retail, creating a new gateway link from Harbour Drive to Vernon Street.

C.ex Group CEO John Rafferty said the occasion capped years of planning and hard work.

“It’s enormous to have CODA opening today after two years of building and three years of planning. It’s fantastic to have the project finished now, with people looking to move in over the next few weeks,” he said.

The launch drew a large crowd, keen to see first-hand the 12-storey development’s modern design and sweeping city views.

CODA’s mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments is already attracting strong interest, while the retail precinct below promises to inject fresh life into the city centre.

City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams credited C.ex Group’s vision and commitment.

“It’s phenomenal for business. It’s phenomenal to liven up and activate our CBD, which is something we’ve been trying to achieve for such a long time. And finally, it’s here.”

She also highlighted the inclusion of a Wellness Centre for veterans as a key community benefit: “It’s not all about small business or activation. It’s about offering that support to our veterans, which is exactly what we should be doing.”

Paynter Dixon CEO James Boyd reflected on the achievement: “This is a culmination of over half a million hours of people on site, with over 1,600 people inducted throughout the last two and a half years,” he said.

“It couldn’t have been done without the support of the C.ex Group and the local community. This is really the start of the regeneration of Coffs City Central.”