Habitat Development Group Kicks Off Market Lane Project

Brisbane-based Habitat Development Group will start construction on the $83 million Market Lane Residences in late-July, creating the first residential towers in the new Maroochydore CBD.

Located at the Mundoo Boulevard entrance, Market Lane Residences comprises 146 spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments elevated across 14 levels over two towers. Six SOHO (small-office-home-office) townhouses along with retail will make up the ground floor.

Habitat Development Group director Cleighton Clark said he was pleased to lock in a date to commence construction after the original project timeline was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Despite the disruption caused by Covid-19, we’re looking at our investment in the future city centre as a long-term commitment and we’re very excited to be commencing the first residential buildings in the precinct at the end of next month.

“We think council and SunCentral have done a terrific job with their vision for the Maroochydore City Centre, it’s an exciting, world class precinct.

“The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and we see an exciting period of growth, in particular the new CBD over the next 5-10 years.

“For that reason, we’ve established a new Sunshine Coast office on Plaza Parade opposite our Market Lane project.

“Since we commenced 15 years ago, we’ve always based our strategy with the best long-term results in mind, and the Maroochydore City Centre is a precinct we think has tremendous potential,” Clark said.

Clark said his enthusiasm for the vision of the new Maroochydore City Centre was reinforced by their recent acquisition within the greenfield CBD project.

“I’m also delighted to announce that Habitat Development Group has secured a second site in the precinct which is located on Sunshine Coast Parade and will be known as ‘The Corso Residences’.

“We are excited to have secured a pipeline of local projects to keep our team and our subcontractors employed and continue our contribution to the local economy over the next few years,” he said.

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson said he was looking forward to seeing the Habitat team break ground.

“I commend Habitat Development Group for their foresight and enthusiasm in embracing our vision for the new Maroochydore City Centre. This project will provide a new accommodation option for some of the thousands of people who will ultimately work in the area,” Jamieson said.

“Having people live close to where they work in our new city centre adds to the vibrancy and activation of the city core, which is an important and attractive feature of some of the leading cities across the globe.

“From an economic point of view, the commencement of the Market Lane project next month comes at an important time as the region starts to make its way through the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, by creating new employment opportunities for local tradespeople and suppliers.”

SunCentral chief executive officer John Knaggs said it was important to have construction start on site as the first commercial building within the CBD, Foundation Place, would be due for completion in late-September this year.

“We are also thrilled with Cleighton’s commitment and confidence in the Sunshine Coast and the city centre project by securing a second site for Habitat Development Group.

“It’s a significant shot in the arm for the project, particularly as we emerge from the impact of Covid-19 and it also reinforces our urban design and planning principles to create a vibrant city centre,” Knaggs said.

Sunshine Coast Council’s nine storey City Hall project which will accommodate up to 600 staff members is currently scheduled to commence on site in August this year and Pro-invest’s Holiday Inn Express is expected to commence later in the year.

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