‘Skinny’ Tower Greenlit to Rise at Runaway Bay

The nod has been given for the first residential tower to be built in Runaway Bay at the northern end of the Gold Coast in more than 30 years.

On a narrow block fronting the Southport Broadwater, the $130-million “skinny” tower will comprise 31 whole-floor apartments as well as three detached tri-level villas.

It was initially knocked back by the Gold Coast City Council in April last year on several grounds, including its “overbearing perception of bulk due to its reduced setbacks and proximity to surrounding buildings”.

The developer Monaco Property Group appealed the decision deeming the refusal to be “erroneous, unreasonable and unlawful” and was recently given the go ahead after negotiations with the council.

Monaco Property Group director Jonathan Grasso confirmed the project, to be known as Belvue Broadwater, had been given the green light and construction was scheduled to start in the second to third quarter of this year.

“It’s an exciting start to 2023 gaining development approval,” Grasso said.

“We are pleased to have worked collaboratively with Gold Coast City Council through the planning and application process, which has led to improvements to the overall project and to the two ultra-luxury resort style recreation areas.

“We have integrated new ocean-facing cabanas, a larger Broadwater infinity pool, and gymnasium into the design, all for the exclusive use of Belvue residents.”

Runaway Bay’s development history dates back to the 1970s and it set the benchmark for waterfront apartment living on the Gold Coast in the 1980s and 1990s.

Bellevue Broadwater will occupy a 20m-wide medium density site spanning 3116sq m at 13-15 Bayview Street. Its full-floor residences with 273sq m floorplates as well as Broadwater and ocean views are priced off-the-plan from $3.545 million.

Its resident amenities will include two swimming pools, hotel-style poolside and waterfront daybeds and cabanas, a swim-up bar, barbeque pavilion, gymnasium, sauna and steam room.

Plus Architecture’s tower design features a curved form to “reflect the ebb and flow of the ocean”.

“A striking and seamless indoor-outdoor flow is cultivated through floor-to-ceiling glazing overlooking panoramic views of the water,” its design statement said.

Project marketing agent Andrew Erwin of NPA Projects said there was still a significant level of inquiry in the Gold Coast market from both interstate relocators and local downsizers.

“This is blue chip real estate,” he said. “The land has been tightly held for 50 years and it offers arguably one of the longest viewlines on the Gold Coast.”