First look: Southport tower Malua to rise 32 levels in latest Gold Coast approval
Southport is set for one of its tallest new apartment developments in recent years with the approval of Malua, a 32-level tower just one row back from Broadwater.
The Norman St tower will comprise 151 apartments within the Southport Priority Development Area. The three adjoining lots, totalling 1,215 sqm, are currently occupied by three two-storey buildings, one a house, and two duplexes.
The majority of the apartments will be two-bedders (126), with just five one-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedrooms. There will be three basement levels, three podium levels, and a rooftop communal space with a pool, gym, private dining areas and business hub facilities.
There had been prior approval for a 14-storey building, however those plans became financially unviable.
“The proposed development seeks to resolve financial viability issues of the existing development approval by providing a higher density development with a more favourable unit mix and streamlined design,” the planning report submitted to the Gold Coast City Council noted.
Plus Studio designed the tower which "aims to contribute positively to the evolving Southport skyline, with vertical relief elements, sculpted facades, and rooftop crowning features."
“When stepping into the lobby from Norman Street, pedestrians and residents pass through a sculpted podium of lush green foliage in an earthy entry experience,” Plus wrote in its design report, emphasising the landscape-led approach to the podium and ground plane.
There is renewed confidence in the development market in Southport. Buyers have jumped at the chance to buy at Maris, the latest local Gold Coast development by MRCB. Over 75 per cent of the 192 apartments have been snapped up prior to launching to the market.
The last notable launch in the suburb was in late 2023 when Eden Garden Residences hit the market. The 54 apartments, on the corner of Bauer Street and Chester Terrace, are under construction and due to complete in mid-2026.
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Apartments.com.au, where he leads the editorial team and oversees the country’s most comprehensive news coverage dedicated to the off the plan property market. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate journalism, Joel brings deep insight into Australia’s evolving development landscape.
He holds a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism from Leeds Beckett University in the UK, and has developed a particular expertise in off the plan apartment space. Joel’s editorial lens spans the full lifecycle of a project—from site acquisition and planning approvals through to new launches, construction completions, and final sell-out—delivering trusted, buyer-focused content that supports informed decision-making across the property journey
