Bastion's $200m Surfers Paradise apartment project Surfer greenlit

Gold Coast developer Bastion Group has secured development approval for its latest Surfers Paradise apartment project, the $200 million Surfer tower at 27 Vista Street.

The approval from Gold Coast City Council clears the way for Bastion to progress the 30-storey mixed-use development, which will comprise 25 residential apartments and 75 short-stay accommodation suites, along with ground-floor retail and a restaurant.

Surfer forms part of Bastion's $500 million Gold Coast development pipeline, which also includes its recently launched The Residences and the $184 million Nera development on nearby Chevron Island, where an $11.5 million penthouse sale set a new record for the suburb.

Bastion Group CEO Alex Wood said the approval was another significant milestone for the developer as it continued to expand its presence on the Gold Coast.

“Securing approval for Surfer is a significant step forward for the project and reflects the continued confidence in the Gold Coast market,” Wood said.

“Surfers Paradise remains one of Australia’s most recognisable lifestyle destinations, and we’re seeing sustained demand for well-designed apartments in central locations with strong amenity and connectivity.

“This project responds directly to that demand, delivering a considered, design-led product in a location where new supply remains limited.”

Designed by Studio Snell, Surfer takes its architectural inspiration from a stack of surfboards, with the building's distinctive form intended to reference the coastal setting and surf culture synonymous with the Gold Coast.

The development will target a mix of owner-occupiers and investors, with the residential component complemented by short-stay accommodation and hospitality offerings at street level.

The Vista Street site is a short walk from the beach, Northcliffe Surf Club and the G light rail, providing access to the wider Surfers Paradise retail and dining precinct.

Residents will have access to a range of amenities, including an EMF gym, swimming pool, private spa, plunge pool and owners' lounge.

Bastion has also enlisted Australian surfers Dane Henry and Milla Coco Brown to provide creative input into the development, working alongside the design and development teams on elements intended to reflect the Gold Coast's surfing lifestyle.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2027, with Bastion planning to deliver the project through its in-house construction business, Bastion Built.

Wood said the group's integrated development and construction model was an important part of its strategy as its project pipeline expanded.

“Having an in-house construction arm allows us to maintain quality control, respond efficiently during delivery, and ensure consistency across our projects,” he said.

Upon completion, Surfer will be managed by Bastion Living, the group's property management arm.

The approval comes as Bastion continues to build its development portfolio across South East Queensland, with Surfer adding another project to its growing concentration of developments in Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island.