Gurner Unveils ‘Affordable Oasis’ Plans on Gold Coast

Gurner has lodged a Gold Coast tower proposal that plays the “affordable oasis” card in one of the city’s most sought-after blue chip beachside suburbs.

The high-profile Victorian-based developer is planning a $120-million, 24-storey high-rise comprising 80 apartments at Burleigh Heads.

It is earmarked for a 1012sq m site at 1929 Gold Coast Highway—within 350m of a future light rail station—which it secured with non-bank lender MaxCap Group this year. 

“The site has great potential for the development of high quality yet affordable accommodation that can contribute to housing choice in Burleigh Heads," the submitted town planning report said.

If approved, the Gurner tower would replace a walk-up block of seven units.

The Warren and Mahoney-designed scheme includes four one-bedroom, 68 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom apartments as well as rooftop communal recreational space with a swimming pool.

“Burleigh Heads is experiencing exciting new growth that is enhancing the iconic Gold Coast skyline,” the development application said.

“Given the mix of units and that the building does not front The Esplanade and Burleigh Beach, the dwellings will provide a more affordable offering than other buildings in the High Density Residential Zone in Burleigh Heads, including many new developments which are offering larger units."

The filed architectural statement said the tower’s subtropical design took its cues from Burleigh Beach, Tallebudgera Creek and the nearby headland national park. 

▲ A render of the apartment tower Gurner is proposing for Burleigh Heads.

“The architectural design has drawn inspiration from its beachside setting and is articulated with a series of balconies and undulations to the tower facade that add movement and carve grooves for landscaping to seamlessly emerge," it said.

“Soft edges and blurred boundaries between interiors and landscaping, paired with light timber finishes, allow for a truly immersive oasis experience.

“Columns draw precedent from iconic palm trees—while the facade comprises of repeating textures. The tower replicates elements of nature, a tropical paradise within the urban context of Burleigh Heads.”

Burleigh Heads and the wider Gold Coast area has become one of the nation’s busiest apartment markets in the past two years and supply levels have hit historical lows.

▲ The $120-million, 24-storey tower would comprise 80 apartments.

During the past 12 months, the median sale price for an apartment in Burleigh Heads has soared 43 per cent.

Developers have been quick to pounce on prospective sites off the back of heightened consumer demand and to futureproof their pipelines. 

Queensland developer Morris Property Group is pressing ahead with plans for a 200-apartment tower across a 2000sq m site at 1873-1875 Gold Coast Highway it acquired in 2021.

Meanwhile, veteran developer David Devine has plans to build a $100-million apartment tower across a 1000sq m site at 264 The Esplanade—next to the North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club.

Gurner’s Burleigh proposal follows the developer’s entry into the Gold Coast market in 2019 after it picked up an entire Surfers Paradise block from Ralan Group, which was approved for 1000 apartments. 

It is planning to build four towers up to 57 storeys on the 112 Ferny Avenue site in a $1.25-billion joint-venture with investment house Wingate.