Bubble-Wrap King Plots Broadbeach’s Tallest Beachside Tower

A Taiwanese bubble-wrap king is padding out his development portfolio with plans to push the beachfront skyline of a Gold Coast highrise hotspot to a new level.

Robert Ching-Chin Hsu’s Polycell Group has lodged a proposal for a tower rising 59 storeys—or almost 212m—on a landmark site at Broadbeach.

If approved, it would become the suburb’s tallest beachside tower.

Only the topped-out but still under-construction 63-storey (216m) Epsilon tower at The Star Gold Coast casino, about 750m west across the Gold Coast Highway, would be taller.

Under the plans, the 1980s-built, 16-level Voyager Resort and its 62 timeshare units would be demolished to make way for Polycell’s proposed tower. 

The 2070sq m site at 167 Old Burleigh Road—overlooking beachfront parkland with never-to-be-built-out coastline views—was acquired in 2022 for $45 million by Hsu, who outbid development heavy-hitters Harry Triguboff and Bob Ell.

On the corner of Elizabeth Avenue, it sits within an unlimited height zone in front of the twin Oracle towers rising 40 and 50 storeys, and next to the under-contruction 33-storey Luxe Broadbeach development.

“The proposed development will advance the Gold Coast skyline and bookend this prominent corner within the city,” a planning report said.

“It is acknowledged the proposed tower will be the tallest within the immediate Broadbeach Principal Centre, however is considered to reflect the desired building height intent for a site within the Primary Focus Area and the Principal Centre.”

Overall, the BDA Architecture-designed scheme would comprise 130 two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments atop a four-level podium covered with cascading greenery.

▲ Renders of the 59-storey tower proposed for 167 Old Burleigh Road at Broadbeach.

Capping the tower, a sprawling double-storey penthouse is planned with a rooftop terrace featuring a private lap pool, yoga deck, dining and recreation spaces, gym as well as a sunset deck with hot and cold plunge pools.

Communal open space spanning a combined 2704sq m would be provided across three levels.

On level 5, a total of 1405sq m of indoor and outdoor space would accommodate a range of amenities including a pool, daybeds and dining areas, gym, yoga room, spa and steam room, plunge pools, treatment and games rooms.

A two-level club lounge across levels 38 and 39 would feature a cinema, library, zen lounge with a tea bar, gym, games room, dining areas and two private club rooms with wine storage.

The ground floor incorporates a lobby, landscaped forecourt and a cafe.  

Parking for 317 vehicles is earmarked for the three-level basement and podium.

▲ The proposed tower's 130 apartments sit above a four-level podium and it incorporates three levels of communal open space.

“The proposed 59-storey residential tower will feature a striking facade inspired by the surrounding landscape, establishing it as an iconic addition to the area,” a design statement said.

“The design vision is to create an attractive and sophisticated residential tower that embodies inherent beauty, contributing to an appropriately scaled, varied, and engaging skyline.

“By balancing elegance and slenderness with architectural integrity, the project enhances the urban landscape, adding visual interest while complementing the existing cityscape.”

Nearby, Hsu’s Polycell is also developing the 42-storey, 182-apartment tower dubbed The Rochester Broadbeach fronting Surf Parade.

In total, it has splashed about $100 million on Broadbeach property holdings, including a Queensland Avenue office block and a controlling stake in the ageing Sandpiper highrise on Old Burleigh Road.

Polycell Group was founded in the 1970s by Hsu. It began as a packaging and materials company in Taiwan and has since grown and diversified into a global business that is not only the world’s largest privately owned bubble wrap producer but also specialising in property development, investment and asset management.

It set up its Australasian operation in 1992, initially in Brisbane before expanding into Sydney and Melbourne.