Giant boomers tower with dog park and yoga deck revealed
LONDON: Boomers are increasingly seeking living spaces with every possible contingency catered, said a leaving analyst.
A site next to one of the Gold Coast’s most famous landmarks will be transformed into a giant high-rise overlooking Surfers Paradise beach.
Sydney-based developer Leith Group Developments has unveiled plans for Halcyon Place, a 27-storey tower on Fern St near the Pink Poodle site.
The existing three-storey Halcyon place will be demolished to make way for the building, which will have 96 units and 202 bedrooms.
It will have three levels of basement carparking with 111 spaces.
Among its features are a private dog park for its residents, a yoga deck and infinity pool.
The design of the luxury tower, according to documents filed with the Gold Coast City Council this week, was inspired by Norfolk Pines and will be a “tribute to the legacy of the site’s history” which “forges the future with a nod to the past”.
“The proposed development delivers the rejuvenation of a centrally located site, situated within comfortable walking distance to the light rail network,” the report reads.
“An appropriate architectural response to the surrounding density and city scale form within Surfers Paradise, Halcyon Place pays tribute to the legacy of the site’s history.
“Through form, materiality and response to climate and context, Halcyon Place embodies the nostalgic character of the Gold Coast, honouring the past while providing a contemporary response.”
The tower has been designed by leading firm Plus Architecture.
It sits just off Garfield Terrace, which has rapidly become one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after streets for developers.
There have been six new towers proposed for the stretch of road in less than a year.
A Malaysian developer wants to build a 51-storey supertower in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
MRCB International, a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad, has filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council to build what would be the city’s sixth-tallest tower.
It is earmarked for a site that fronts Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Vista and Thornton streets, and will have 280 units and six ground-level townhouses.
The high-rise will be MRCB’s third Australian project in eight years and the first in Queensland.
MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan said the company saw great potential in the Gold Coast.
“The Gold Coast is a burgeoning city providing scope for smart and sensible developments that recognise it’s linear layout and that can take advantage of its growing transport network,” he said.
“We selected the site due to its location within the light rail urban renewal area, and with Northcliffe Station right at its doorstep, the development will be well connected and is consistent with the city’s dwelling targets and intent for a higher level of street activation.
“MRCB has delivered a large portfolio of successful integrated commercial and residential developments anchored around transportation hubs, and this project will provide a premium residential tower within this strategy.”
The company bought the site in September 2021.
The tower will have six levels of parking, including four in the basement and two in its podium.
Plans filed with the council show it will have three recreation levels, including its rooftop.
Gold Coasters have raised eyebrows over the latest luxury tower proposed for the Surfers Paradise beachfront, saying the suburb need something else if it is to get better.
The media last week revealed Brisbane developer Frank Developments had filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council to build Mira, a 31-storey tower on Garfield Terrace.
The project is expected to have 14 vertical beach homes built into it.
But Bulletin readers have given it mixed reviews, arguing that Surfers Paradise needs a shake-up if it is to draw more tourists back in.
V of R wrote: “Luxury: all well and good, however, the location needs an upgrade. Surfers needs modernisation.” while reader Jackson argued the light rail should be removed.
This promoted V of R to write back “A backward step Jackson. Do you want The Goldie to be like Kabul?”
Matthew wrote: “How about building more affordable homes instead of catering for the rich.”
A Brisbane developer has unveiled plans for a 31-floor oceanfront Surfers Paradise tower with a Gold Coast first –14 vertical beach homes.
Mira Residences, close to the Northcliffe surf club, will be a $100m venture by Frank Developments, headed by Frank Licastro.
It is to target wealthy people wanting to downsize and intended to replace a four-level, four-title apartment block at 61 Garfield Tce.
Mr Licastro said this week the vertical beach homes in Mira, his Gold Coast debut project, would be a first for the city. Each home would span two full-floor levels, have an internal lift, and the penthouse would be across four floors and include a rooftop pool.
Mr Licastro said Mira Residences would stand out among existing and approved developments in the Northcliffe-Garfield beachfront strip.
“Our unique four-bedroom floor plan is designed for proud owner-occupiers who value the space and privacy only a boutique project can offer. Our formula is stand-alone apartments and fewer of them.”
Mr Licastro said the beach homes would have living areas in the lower area and the upper levels would include a “sunrise-facing” master bedroom.
“That means you wake to 180-degree ocean views and fall asleep to the sound of the sea.”
Marco Ferro, co-director of architecture firm Ferro Chow, said the proposed project would meet a large gap in the market for spacious, thoughtfully designed apartments within the Surfers Paradise high-density zone.
“Mira’s slender singular apartment width satisfies the strategic city plan while adding character to the city’s iconic skyline and maximising apartment views.”
Mira is to include a gym, sauna, sun-bed sanctuary, barbecue area, outdoor showers and beach lockers.
Level one will offer private dining overlooking a 180-degree pool which will wrap around a sunlounge podium.
The price purchase has not been revealed for the 607sq m site, which has a property associated with the listed Sino-Australian group ASF and approved for a 31-level tower, on its southern boundary.
The Mira site was amalgamated by Simon Worthington and Ryan Ward, of the Kollosche agency.
Mr Licastro said construction would start in late 2022, pending development approval, and Mira was expected to be completed in 2023.
Council planning boss councillor Cameron Caldwell said: “Council welcomes this high-quality development application to the iconic Surfers Paradise beachfront.
“The unique floorplate design is an innovative change.
“Council will undertake a careful assessment and make a decision in due course.”
