Partners File Plans for $75m Apartment Project at Casuarina

Casuarina could be the next Byron Bay with significant investment projects signalling a boom in the sleepy surfing village, alongside a luxury $75-million, 47-apartment project.

The coastal town has experienced a coming of age with the median house price rising to $2.1 million in the past 12 months, and a raft of significant investments in the area slated for the next few years.

The Tweed Valley Hospital is due to open in 2023, the $1-billion upgrade of the Pacific Highway is under way, and upgrades to the Gold Coast International Airport are ongoing.

Holm Developments and DeMartini Fletcher are undertaking the project in a joint venture to build on a 4083sq m site in the centre of Casuarina Beach, which is 40 minutes north of Byron Bay and 18km south of Tweed Heads on Bundajalung land.

A development application for PAMA Casuarina has been filed with the Tweed Shire Council but due to the value of the proposed development it is currently under assessment with the Northern Regional Planning Panel.

The four-storey apartment complex has the coastal lifestyle at its core, with a bank of 30 custom vintage bicycles to share, and extra storage set aside for communal stand-up paddle boards and surfboards.

The two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments will be priced from $1.1 million with a target market of downsizers and owner-occupiers, according to Holm Developments director Godfrey Esmonde.

“We were immediately captivated by the relaxed and laid back lifestyle and amenities at Casuarina Beach, plus the convenience of the site’s location with shopping and cafes directly across the road,” Esmonde said.

“PAMA has been designed to reflect Casuarina’s relaxed beachside lifestyle and being located in the heart of the community it will further enhance the sophisticated style that has evolved over the past decade.

“We worked with our design team to create a place where everything is made easy so people can escape the hustle and bustle to relax … a place that is in-keeping with the distinct look and feel of Casuarina Beach.”

Resident and architect Danny Juric from Plus Architecture designed the Palm Springs mid-century inspired apartment building.

The proposed PAMA development is on the fringe of a new medium-density residential development.

According to development application documents, the proposed architecture “responds well to its coastal surroundings as well as the neighbourhood’s character and streetscapes”.

“Although the site is within a newly established precinct the design has been developed carefully to positively preserve the coastal town charm and presents a very attractive entry to the residential zone.”

The apartment complex would also include a pool, with a wet deck and beach, barbecues, outdoor showers and a dog wash bay.

Holm Development’s Godfrey Esmonde said that the common areas would be powered by 100 per cent renewable sources with the choice for apartment owners to opt in.

Esmonde said a 40kW solar system would be installed on the roof of the development to feed back into the grid and offset costs of air conditioning and lighting of common areas, as well as the heating and operational costs of the pool.

Total Property Group managing director Adrian Parsons is the marketing manager for the project and said there was high demand for owner-occupier apartments with low maintenance lifestyle.

“Casuarina Beach is a masterplanned township nestled between Kingscliff and Cabarita that has developed into a beachside village which is very appealing to a wide range of demographics,” Parsons said.