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LONDON: A developer is building a mammoth crown structure atop a soaring new beachfront skyscraper.

High-rise king Harry Triguboff is putting on a crown – a massive one atop his Surfers Paradise super-tower Ocean.

The move comes as the 76-level oceanfront building has reached its pinnacle and is heading for July completion.

Mr Triguboff, in his 90th year and last week rated a $20.8 billion rich-list member, was to head to the top on Monday to see progress on the Ocean crown close up but was thwarted by rain and cloud.

The golden structure will be 10.5 metres tall and feature four 7.5-metre logos of the developer’s Meriton group.

The Ocean crown will be floodlit at night.

“Anyone coming to Surfers will know Meriton is in town,” said Mr Triguboff.

“I promised to deliver a landmark building and we’re on the verge of keeping that promise.

“That said, I won’t call Ocean my crowning glory on the Gold Coast just yet because I have more towers to come.”

Ocean, a four-stage project which will have the Gold Coast’s highest apartments, is being built on a $58 million site on The Esplanade that originally housed the 22-level Apollo building.

The super-tower has a Meriton Suites hotel up to level 33 and 404 apartments on the other floors.

James Sialepis, the Meriton director of sales, said more than 70 per cent of the apartments had sold, with people already occupying the first apartment stage and with the second stage to be settled later in April.

“The Gold Coast market really has warmed to Ocean, especially now that people can see it nearing completion.

“Many competing developments are standing idle with their futures uncertain.

“Meanwhile, Ocean has powered through and Meriton is delivering on its promise to add the finest super-tower to an already impressive Gold Coast skyline.”

Matthew Thomas, general manager of Meriton Suites, said the Ocean hotel was extremely popular when it opened in July 2021, despite state border restrictions and no international travel.

“Since the relaxation of these restrictions, the hotel has gone on to outperform our Gold Coast hotels at Southport and Broadbeach.

“Hotel occupancy is continually at or over 90 per cent and the hotel is often sold out over weekends and school holidays.”

Mr Triguboff last year bought the oceanfront Banyan Tree site at the northern end of The Esplanade and is planning towers of 71 and 51 levels.

The project, tagged Pacific, is subject to planning approval and is intended to deliver more than 1000 apartments.