Big Plans Revealed for Gold Coast BtR Bonanza

The Gold Coast is becoming the vanguard for Queensland’s advancing build-to-rent sector with plans filed for a four-tower vertical village with hundreds of new rental homes at Southport.

Under the proposal, almost 900 apartments would be delivered to provide much-needed accommodation for key workers and students in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

The plans have been lodged with Economic Development Queensland by UBS Real Estate Nominees Australia.

Each of the four proposed towers would range from 9 to 13 storeys with rooftop gardens and cater for an estimated 1350 residents.

Overall, the proposed development would span a 17,330sq m site at 1 Clarke Street within the Parklands Priority Development Area, next to the Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University campus.

Part of the state government-owned Lumina Master Plan comprising 9.5ha of development-ready land, it is a stone’s throw from the Smith Collective—the former athletes’ village for the 2018 Commonwealth Games that was converted into Australia’s first large-scale build-to-rent community.

The Smith Collective includes 18 buildings with 1252 apartments and was developed by UBS Asset Management in a joint venture with developer Grocon.

Of the 878 homes—including a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments—planned for the Lumina site, 176 would be targeted at providing affordable housing. 

“The proposed development will contribute to the existing offering of build-to-rent housing within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and will notably provide much-needed housing supply and tenure diversity to the Gold Coast market,” a submitted planning report said.

“The design has also been further influenced by UBS’ specific knowledge of build-to-rent in this precinct and knowledge of future tenant profile from The Smith Collective.”

According to the documents, the Rothelowman-designed scheme is aimed at creating a “large-scale sustainable neighbourhood for a diverse demographic of residents who value a beautiful rental home in a distinctive connected community”.

In particular, its potential target tenants include affordable housing seekers, international and local students, health and sports professionals, retail workers, young entrepreneurs and international families.

“This project represents a very clear opportunity to address the demands and pressures on housing supply that is very much at the forefront of challenges not just for the Gold Coast but nationwide,” an architectural statement said.

“Fundamental to the design process and outcome has been an approach to creating a highly humanised place. One that focuses on an interactive experience of landscape, climate and the simple notions of the daily rituals of life.”

▲ Renders of the proposed four-tower build-to-rent development at Southport.

The proposal incorporates a landscaped plaza as well as resident facilities—including retail outlets, cafes and a gym—and is close to public transport networks.

Communal open space totalling 5850sq m is planned across multiple levels of the proposed development.

As well, parking for 724 cars and 383 bicycles is to be provided in two basement levels and at grade.

At Robina—a suburb about 15km south of the Southport site—Stadium Drive has become a golden mile for Queensland’s emerging build-to-rent sector as the coastal strip grapples with a dried-up rental pool.

It is earmarked for six approved medium-rise towers accommodating more than 700 apartments, including Pellicano Group’s $225-million four-tower Paloma House development.