<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

Gold Coast

With Apartments.com.au&#39;s Project Database now being expanded to encompass all of Australia, and more national content appearing on the site, it seemed like a good opportunity to highlight the country&#39;s future top 10 tallest skyscrapers on the horizon, not including those already completed.

<h2>#1. Southbank by Beulah (Residential Tower) I Melbourne&nbsp;I 356.2M</h2>

Green Spine, know known as Soutbank by Beulah having been taken over by the Melbourne developer Beulah, will be&nbsp;designed by&nbsp;<a href="/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a>&nbsp;and is&nbsp;planned to be the tallest skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere. The tower was the winner of <a href="/developers/beulah">Beulah International</a>&rsquo;s international competition for a $2 billion development in Melbourne&rsquo;s <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8804]

&nbsp;

<h2>#2. Magic Tower&nbsp;I Melbourne&nbsp;I 60- storeys&nbsp;I 330M</h2>

The Magic Tower is a slender skyscraper designed by <a href="/architects/decibel-architecture">Decibel Architecture</a> in partnership with Royal Society of Victoria. The residential tower will be located in the north eastern corner of Hoddle Grid.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/magic_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it's width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="714" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/magic_11.jpg?itok=__Rf7Zwf" title="If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it's width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it&#39;s width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

<h2>#3. Orion Towers (South Tower) |&nbsp;Gold Coast | 103-storeys | 328m</h2>

<figure>
<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/orion_towers.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Orion Towers' South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/orion_towers.jpg?itok=rtzkSomr" style="width: 580px; height: 327px;" title="Orion Towers' South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot" /></a>

<figcaption>Orion Towers&#39; South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption>
</figure>

The $1.2b twin-tower development in Surfers Paradise known as <a href="/new-apartments/south-beach-surfers-paradise-3006-surfers-paradise-boulevard-surfers-paradise">Orion Towers</a> will soar 103 storeys high for a total height of 328m, inching out Melbourne&#39;s One Queensbridge by 5m. The development will also feature Australia&rsquo;s highest observation restaurant on level 101 offering 360-degree views.

The tower is anticipated to be completed by 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887]

&nbsp;

<h2>#4. One Queensbridge |&nbsp;Melbourne | 90-storeys | 323m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/qbt.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qbt.jpg?itok=DqCq-D0j" style="width: 580px; height: 396px;" title="One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello" /></a>

<figcaption>One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">One Queensbridge</a> should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. It will be a JV between Crown Resorts and <a href="/developers/schiavello">Schiavello</a>. <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/packer-s-plans-uncertain-on-australia-s-tallest-building-20180525-p4zhhz">The Age reported</a>&nbsp;in May of last year that as part of the approval, a deadline for February 2019 had been set to commence construction of the project.

The Wilkinson Eyre designed goliath is yet to commence, as it is currently undergoing construction delays due to being unable to obtain government approval for alterations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=245]

&nbsp;

<h2>#5. Australia 108 | Melbourne | 100-storeys | 317m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/aus108_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne's tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="265" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aus108_1.jpg?itok=diMxAs9s" title="Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne's tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne&#39;s tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> is to rise opposite it&rsquo;s sister tower, Eureka.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582]

This time last year, Australia 108&#39;s core reached level 60 with the floorplates well over the halfway mark. This also coincided with the first residents beginning to move in on levels 14 and 30 as part of the completion of stage 1.

The tower is still presently undergoing construction, with more residents being able to move in from 2020.

&nbsp;

<h2>#6. Spirit | Gold Coast | 89-storeys | 298m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/spirit_gc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/spirit_gc.jpg?itok=BpZZiGBR" title="Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings</figcaption>
</figure>

Designed by <a href="/architects/dbi">DBI Design</a> who have previously designed other notable towers on the Gold Coast such as Oracle, <a href="/buildings/jewel-residences-surfers-paradise-36-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise">Jewel</a>, SOUL Tower and The Wave, Spirit was to have been the tallest building to roof in Surfers Paradise prior to Orion Towers&#39; entry onto the list.

The design features a dramatic wave across its facade similar to The Wave, but on a grander scale. The current proposal replaces an earlier scheme for Iluka Tower, following Forise Holdings purchase of the site in 2015.

This tower is in the early stages of construction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8128]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93998]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8843]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6207]

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<h2>#7. Cienna Square Tower II | Gold Coast | 88-storeys | 280m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/cienna_square.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cienna_square.jpg?itok=VhFJsHIh" title="Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design</figcaption>
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Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. DBI Design&#39;s second entry on the list is for a dual tower on the Southport site of the former Regent Cinema, which has remained empty since it was cleared to pave way for a now unbuilt scheme back in 1989.

Cienna Square received preliminary approval back in April 2016.

&nbsp;

<h2>#8. Crown Sydney Hotel &amp; Resort | Sydney | 75-storeys | 271m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/crown_sydney.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crown_sydney.jpg?itok=rF1VRZYX" title="Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre</figcaption>
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Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo.

Crown Resorts&#39; second tower on the list sees it once again collaborating with architects Wilkinson Eyre on what is set to become Sydney&#39;s tallest building, capping off the Barangaroo development.

The tower is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.

&nbsp;

<h2>#9. Brisbane Skytower | Brisbane | 90-storeys | 270m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/brisbane_skytower.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brisbane's under construction Skytower. Image (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/brisbane_skytower.jpg?itok=dsSud53R" title="Brisbane's under construction Skytower. Image (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Brisbane&#39;s under construction Skytower. Images (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis</figcaption>
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Brisbane&#39;s recently completed <a href="/buildings/brisbane-skytower-222-margaret-street-brisbane">Skytower</a>. <a href="/developers/billbergia">Billbergia</a> and <a href="/developers/amp-capital">AMP Capital&#39;s</a> joint venture project, Skytower is Brisbane&#39;s tallest tower and bookend the southern edge of the CBD, it is located directly opposite the Botanic Gardens.

New levels have just been completed on this tower and are now selling.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6199]

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<h2>#10. 240 Margaret Street |&nbsp;Brisbane | 87-storeys | 270m&nbsp;</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/240_margefrom-kp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="557" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/240_margefrom-kp.jpg?itok=bls0H2ab" title="240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/new-apartments/240-margaret-street-brisbane">240 Margaret</a> with the neighbouring U/C Skytower. World Class Land&#39;s second entry on the list following its Australia 108 project will reach the same height as the neighbouring Skytower development. This is the maximum height allowed in Brisbane as a result of Brisbane Airport radar shadowing issues.

The tower has been granted development approval.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6227]

Laurence Dragomir

Top 10 (Future) Tallest Buildings in Australia

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The Gold Coast is bright spot for apartment sales, with 33% increase in apartment sales compared to last quarter, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials report.   Research by the property consultants found that in Q1 2018 sales were buoyed by the recent Commonwealth Games excitement.
There have been nine new project launches, equating to over 1,000 new apartments.
Apartment approvals dropped in the quarter to 1,385, the third consecutive drop since mid-2017.
However, compared to Brisbane where only just over 300 apartments were approved in the quarter, the pipeline of supply continues to build, National Director of Property Economics and Research at Urbis, Clinton Ostwald noted.
Some 65 per cent of sales were the two-bedroom, two-bathroom product.
The weighted average sale price was recorded at $729,856.
In late 2017 the Gold Coast weighted average sale price across the four precincts registered $619,737 in the December quarter.
The Gold Coast Central Precinct recorded the highest weighted average sale price at $731,786, due to its higher level of high rise developments selling.
The most affordable precinct was the Coastal Fringe Precinct, which recorded a weighted average sale price of $537,013 in late 2017. The Coastal Fringe Precinct was also the top selling precinct during the quarter, registering 37% of total sales, and also the top selling precinct for 2017.
A recent Urbis advisory calculated owner occupier sales dominated in the Gold Coast, making up 54% of sales respectively.
The Gold Coast apartment market performance, with the recent Commonwealth Games stimulating project launches and the local apartment market, will be tested, Mr Ostwald said, adding it would be interesting to see how long the Commonwealth Games uplift would continue for as this market is likely to have benefited to the additional exposure. 
By contrast inner Brisbane apartments are still primarily a product aimed at investors, and this was represented in the data with 43% of sales being to foreign investor buyers.
Urbis senior Consultant Lynda Campbell said recently there are currently 22 projects yielding over 2,000 apartments which could potentially launch across the Gold Coast in the first half of 2018.
“A quarter of these are in the Southern Beaches Precinct, which has gone from being one of the most undersupplied markets to now having the second highest level of future supply and the highest level of active supply."
*Coastal Fringe suburbs include Arundel, Parkwood, Molendinar, Ashmore, Benowa, Bundall, Carrara, Robina, Clear Island Waters, Merrimac and Varsity Lakes. *North Shore suburbs include Biggera Waters, Coombabah, Helensvale, Hollywell, Hope Island, Paradise Point and Runaway Bay. *Gold Coast Central suburbs include Labrador, Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters. *Southern Beaches suburbs include Bilinga, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Casuarina, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Kingscliff, Kirra, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Palm Beach, Tugun and Tweed Heads.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Gold Coast new apartment sales averaging $730,000

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A prime Red Rooster-anchored fast food complex centre located on one of the Gold Coast’s busiest intersections has been listed for sale.
The Red Rooster Centre Burleigh has been placed on the market through Savills agents Peter Tyson, Jon Tyson and Michael Harcourt.
The fully leased complex comprises a diverse and complimentary fast food mix, anchored by a Red Rooster Drive-Thru Restaurant, Subway and Zambrero’s outlets as well as award winning seafood, vegan and sushi traders.
The centre is situated adjacent to the Coles anchored Treetops Plaza centre and features exposure to over 70,000 cars per day on the junction of two major arterial traffic routes. 
Peter Tyson said the Red Rooster Centre Burleigh provides a tremendous opportunity for longer term investors underpinned by an annual income stream of over $470,000, a secure seven year lease profile and strong embedded real estate value.
It came with a flexible mixed use “Centre” zoning which allows development potential up to 30 metres or 10 stories in height.
Offers close June 21.
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Red Rooster Centre in Burleigh, Gold Coast listed

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The redundant Gold Coast riverfront home of the AFL star Gary Ablett is finally under contract, after spending well over a year on the market.
Although he seemingly bought well, it's expected to be a loss for the now Geelong midfielder, who played his first back game at the Cattery on the weekend.
He paid $1.8 million for the Ashmore home in 2011, just six kms from the AFL stadium when he signed for the Gold Coast Suns.
Ablett bought the four bedroom home after it had a $2,595,000 guide when offered a year earlier.
Set on 3342 sqm of landscaped grounds, it features Bali-style huts, lagoon style pool and full size floodlit tennis court.
The home offers 65 metres of river frontage with a floating pontoon.
Kollosche Prestige agent Danny Stanley initially sought $2,195,000 when he took over the listing last June which most recently had a $1,795,000 asking price.
Ablett left the Suns to return to his boyhood club Geelong when he began his career in 2002.
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Gary Ablett's Gold Coast property has gone under contract

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A Queensland property, set between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, has been sold by mortgagees for $341,000.
The three bedroom house was sold by Glenn Batten from First National Upper Coomera &amp; Yarrabilba earlier this month.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-jacobs+well-127815842" target="_blank">Located at 1134 Pimpama-Jacobs Well Road</a>, Jacobs Well, the house comes with three bedrooms, covered rear entertaining area, and side access. 
Nestled on a 779 square metre block, it is only 600 metres to Jacobs Well Boat Ramp and opposite Riesenweber Park.
It had last sold at $368,000 in 2007.
According to CoreLogic, the suburb's median house price sits on $467,000.
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Jacobs Well, Queensland home sold by mortgagee

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Arcadis, the global consultancy firm for natural and built assets, will provide cost and commercial management services on the 88 storey, $1.3 billion, super-apartment tower Spirit for Forise Investments Australia.
Spirit will be the tallest tower under construction on the Gold Coast, in terms of occupied apartment floors, with completion of the 470 luxury apartments scheduled for 2021.
Matthew Mackey, a director at Arcadis said landmark projects like Spirit that will "define the future of the Gold Coast.”
The 88 storey Spirit will have three floors of recreational areas as well as an infinity edge swimming pool.  
The tower will also house high-end retailers, providores and Michelin-star restaurants.
The $1.3 billion, 88-level Gold Coast tower, Spirit, was surrounded in doubt after arrangements on its local marketing collapsed late last year.
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Real estate agency The Agency is no longer working with Chinese conglomerate Forise Holdings to sell apartments at the Surfers Paradise project.
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Arcadis to help deliver $1.3bn Spirit tower on Gold Coast

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The Gold Coast prestige market sector was impacted heavily by the GFC in 2008.
It only started seeing signs of improvement in late 2014 and early 2015, the valuation firm HTW recently noted.
Improving rapidly during 2016 and throughout 2017 with a number of large prominent sales evident at strong prices (a number of which were in the range of $9 million to $25 million) there was then a staggering $16.5 million spent in May 2017 for a large, luxury dwelling on Virginia Drive at Hope Island on the northern Gold Coast.
More recently, HTW have noticed a slowing of market activity with local real estate agents reporting fewer sales, increased stock levels in some market segments and reduced buyer demand with fewer enquiries from overseas buyers over the past six months after a sustained run of strong transactions, particularly to Asian buyers.
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"This is, however, highly segmented and the level of improvement is very property and price speci c and properties that are selling are generally still achieving strong price levels," the HTW report noted.
The latest HTW report on prestige housing noted the most prestigious suburbs on the Gold Coast for housing are Hope Island, Paradise Point, Mermaid Beach, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach Waters.
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The majority of the prestige townhouses or duplexes are located at Hope Island and have price points starting at around $2 million.
The vast majority of prestige units are located at Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach with a smaller amount found at Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta.
The more significant improvement has been evident for established, near new, luxury housing in the prime waterfront and coastal suburbs particularly Isle of Capri at Surfers Paradise which recorded an $8.8 million dollar sale of 31 The Corso in February 2018.
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The market segment for luxury apartments on the Gold Coast upward of $3 million saw improved buyer demand over the past 12 to 18 months, however remains very thinly traded and sales are few andfar between. There have only been seven sales to date during 2018 with a standout sale being the Chevron Renaissance penthouse which sold in January 2018 for $9.5 million to a local buyer.
The two-level penthouse, situated over the 39th and 40th floors was previously used as an of office space for the developer and after the company folded, it was sold off to HomeCorp CEO, Ron Bakir for $1.2 million, who together with Sunland Group chairman Soheil Abedian took the floor space back to its shell and spent $7 million transforming it into a luxury apartment and importing Italian furniture.
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Other standout sales of luxury apartments include the $5.3 million dollar sale of the Xanadu North penthouse sold by Robert Graham at Ray White. This two level penthouse unit is situated over the 23rd and 24th oors providing 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom accommodation with four basement car spaces, a private indoor plunge pool and panoramic 360 degree views incorporating distant hinterland views to the west, Broadwater and Southport skyline views to the north-west, coastal views up to the Spit to the north and unobstructed beach and ocean views to the east and north-east.
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Robert also sold the three level, XXV Breaker Street Residences penthouse in late February for $3.05 million which comprises 3-bedrooms, 5-bathrooms, a rooftop terrace featuring a private plunge pool and four basement car spaces situated on the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors.
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Buyers of prestige acreage property can be very discerning and hence, not all properties receive similar levels of demand or achieve similar sale prices. Consequently, sale prices (and selling periods) in this market segment can be heavily in uenced by individual buyer preferences and speci c property attributes that will appeal differently to individual buyers. These attributes include, but are not limited to, land size, topography, views, size and quality of improvements, level and quality of ancillary improvements, vegetation, creek or river frontage and dual living potential.
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HTW advised the Gold Coast’s rural residential market up to one hectare has had no sales over $3 million from 2016 to date.
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Further afield, there have been very few recent sales for larger sized properties over $3 million and have been for more rural or rural lifestyle properties in excess of five hectares being heavily improved with equine facilities.
One standout sale in particular was the 9.55 hectare property at Riverstone Crossing in Maudsland which provided a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom dwelling constructed circa 2007 on a low lying and cleared river and creek front allotment.
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Another well located, rural residential property is currently under contract at 173 Stewart Road in Clagiraba.
The property is improved with two dwellings of good quality as well as a cottage. The 14.48 hectare parcel provides predominantly low lying cleared land with frontage to the Coomera River.
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"We note that bank lending policies have tightened and for larger rural holdings, require substantial deposits which in turn only enables potential purchasers with stronger nancial standing to complete the sale. This has resulted in limited transactional evidence from a small pool of buyers over the past 18 months in the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim localities."
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From 2017 to date there have been very few larger sized property transactions and all have been within the Scenic Rim locality.
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Less demand from overseas buyers in Gold Coast trophy home market

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The Gold Coast conveyed to the world its modernity during the recent Commonwealth Games, but traces of the old days are still found periodically in property offerings.
There's an intact 1978 Ron McMaster-designed apartment on Main Beach <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-main+beach-126827702" target="_blank">listed for sale</a>.
It is dubbed penthouse on the ground floor, with then McMaster's business partner's wife having a fear of living up high so McMaster and Ernest (Ernie) Suares designed a penthouse sized ground floor apartment.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/24/mcmaster1.jpg" alt="">
Spanning over 460 square metres across two levels, the apartment in the Yachting Towers complex has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a Swedish sauna.
A rumpus room and a separate wet bar overlooks the private back garden with swimming pool, spa and cabana.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/24/mcmaster2.jpg" alt="">
McMaster was known as the king of highrise.
The pool was a popular place for the Gold Coast's most notable residents some five decades ago.
Peter McManus Real Estate agent Peter McManus is asking $1.25 million. 
This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Ron McMaster-designed Gold Coast trophy apartment listed

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The Commonwealth Games was brought to a close last weekend, and the Gold Coast property market has been buoyed by its host status. 
From house and land to the very top end, the Gold Coast has been securing an impressive sales run.
Ben Peasley, group marketing manager at Choice Homes, says the period prior to the games had seen strong market conditions over the past few months.
"The Games have coincided with our usual busy time of the year, so it was great news to see an even superior result than usual," Peasley noted this week.
"We achieved 22 sales this past week and similar numbers the week previous."
He said the most came from their developments in the far northern Gold Coast suburbs.
Choice Homes have two land developments, <a href="http://visitcamelot.com.au/" target="_blank">Camelot</a> in Coomera (below), and <a href="http://www.pimpamavillage.com.au/" target="_blank">Pimpama Village</a> at Pimpama, which are both in close proximity to the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre that opened two years ago.
It hosted the gymnastics competition and netball finals.
There's also the Westfield Coomera Town Centre that opens in September.
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Valuation firm Herron Todd White had houses in the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast as strong markets. 
"The buzz around the Gold Coast has been contagious," Peasley said.
"A collective sense of pride and excitement, all the while watching the weather to ensure the 300 days of sunshine we enjoy each year would welcome The Games."
It is said the Games was the turning point for the Federal Government to provide much needed funding for the M1 widening and upgrades. It is an issue still being negotiated by the Queensland government.
A strong case has also been made for a stage 3 light rail after the success of stages 1 and 2. The line would run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads and possibly even further to a Coolangatta airport link up.
There have been a number of high profile sales in the last few days.
Ray White Broadbeach agent Sam Guo sold a French chateau style home for a Buccaneer Court street record at Surfers Paradise.
The waterfront home scored just under $6 million.
Guo hinted the Games have certainly helped. 
“There is no doubt that the eyes of the world has been on the Gold Coast lately and people are loving everything that our lifestyle and market has on offer," he said. 
“The Gold Coast has well and truly come of age and it’s great to see such confidence in the luxury market.”
At Sanctuary Cove a home on the exclusive Arnold Palmer Drive sold for a golf course record $6.5 million.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

From house and land to the very top end, Queensland's Gold Coast has secured an impressive sales run

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Hosting the Commonwealth Games is about more than just the two weeks of sport for the Gold Coast. Andrew Smith, author of the book Events and Urban Regeneration, observes: “In recent years, major sporting and cultural events such as the Olympic [and Commonwealth] Games have emerged as significant elements of public policy … As well as opportunities arising from new venues, these events are viewed as a way of stimulating investment, gaining civic engagement and publicising progress to assist the urban regeneration process more generally.”
The Gold Coast recently hosted the Commonwealth Games, a record fifth time for Australia. It’s the first time an Australian non-capital city hosted the event.
Another great distinction from past hosts is that the Gold Coast mostly relyied on its existing assets, and the community aspect has generally prevailed: most of the refurbishments and extensions took place one to three years before the start of the Games, meaning the community has already been able to use these facilities.
Not building just for the Games
Only two of the 13 Gold Coast venues are bright new buildings, the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre and the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre. All the others are either already built or are great natural assets such as the Coolangatta and Currumbin beachfronts.
Even the new venues were completed some time ago. At the Coomera Sports Centre, early site works began in February 2015. Construction was completed in early August 2016, 20 months ahead of the Games.
Similarly, the Carrara Sports Centre was completed in early 2017. The nearly 20,000 square metre venue was available to Gold Coast residents to enjoy more than a year before the Games.
Refurbishment is costly, but looking at the bigger picture it might still be less expensive. A new building usually involves other costs such as building new road access, water and electrical connections, and so on.
The same strategy was implemented for all the refurbishment projects without exception. For example, the aquatic centre is a recycling and expansion of the original 1960s Southport pool. Finished in 2014, it hosted the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships the same year. Although at that time debate about the lack of a roof was raging, being able to test the facility in advance is a luxury that few host cities have had.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/213313/original/file-20180404-189830-s5fkzu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""> 
Few Games hosts have had the luxury of trialling venues like the aquatic centre, where refurbishment was finished in 2014. Karine Dupre, Author provided
What about the architectural legacy?
In designing venues, architecture plays a a critical role in delivering a premium experience for athletes and spectators, and thus ensuring the success of the Games.
It’s doubtful any of these buildings will enter into the history of architecture as references or models for future Games. They are not comparable to what has been done, for example, in Beijing in terms of structural innovation (such as the swimming pool or the stadium) or iconic status.
I am convinced, however, that all these buildings display a very good critical approach by their architects.
For example, for the Coomera centre, the choices made by Gold Coast-based BDA architects were fundamental to achieve the flexibility to accommodate up to 7,500 spectators when starting from 350 permanent seats. The truss structure, in allowing a very long span (82 metres by 168 metres for the roof), frees the indoor space from columns and increases flexibility of uses. In the same way, the 23 metres roof clearance frees the volume.
In terms of aesthetic, the choice not to enclose fully the centre at the entrance gives both a lighter perception of the building – despite the use of 600 tonnes of structural steel and 6,000 cubic metres of concrete – and a different look from the traditional box often found for gymnasiums.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/213373/original/file-20180405-95689-qop95o.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Commonwealth Games gymnastics competition is under way at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre. Karine Dupre, Author provided
The key new facility at Carrara presents some similar characteristics. Because of its central location on the Gold Coast, the idea was that the new centre would contribute to the creation of a sport precinct and to economic development and sport advocacy programs. Knowing that Glasgow had a 17% increase in people doing sport after the Games, it was a reasonable vision to bet on long-term use by locals and not only on the visitors for the brief period of the Games.
Designed by BVN architects, the Carrara centre consists of a street space between two major halls. As the nominated venue for the badminton, wrestling and table tennis programs, it is quite an unexpected arrangement; it does not feel like the traditional sport hall, but more like a place to meet others. The colours and material palette have been used to symbolise the young and vibrant image of the Gold Coast. Again, all these architectural choices come together to provide a memorable experience for visitors and athletes alike.
Within the given budget, the balance between an appealing aesthetic and a long-term legacy has been achieved. Maybe none of these buildings will become international landmarks, but present uses have shown their functionality and benefits for the Gold Coast.
Even if we don’t all agree with the current politics, there is one thing we cannot deny about the Games: architecture has been a tool for enhancing public facilities thanks to a very long-term vision. The social, cultural and economic legacy is already there, since facilities are being used.
Finally, since the Games preparations began, major debates on the Gold Coast concerned new casinos, the Spit redevelopment and the light rail extension. None of these debates caused any real problems for the Games. It is quite an achievement, or the result of a very good communication strategy, but that might be another discussion…
Karine Dupré, Associate Professor in Architecture, Griffith University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/building-for-the-community-is-a-win-for-the-gold-coast-games-94413" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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