The Gold Coast is renowned for its golden beaches and iconic projects. It is fair to say that Gold Coast architectural firm
DBI Design have been instrumental in the development of the surf city and in the process has quickly established a reputation for the innovative design of large scale resorts and mixed-use master plans, hotels and multi-unit residential projects.
In the lead up to The Urban Developer’s Gold Coast in Focus – A Developer’s Perspective event to be held on Thursday April 21 in partnership with DBI Design and Place Design Group, we decided to take a look inside six of their most iconic projects on the Gold Coast.
: 2006
: 3,328 square metres
: 34 levels
: 118
: 1,610 square metres
: 2,055 square metres
: 21,632 square metres
: Macau casino billionaire, Stanley Ho
: Sept 2005
: Nov 2010
: 11,943 square metres
: Tower 1 – 50 levels; Tower 2 – 40 levels
: Tower 1 – 265; Tower 2 - 238
: 4,000 square metres
: 6,000 square metres
: Tower 1 – 41,309 square metres / Tower 2 – 31,841 square metres
: Niecon
Soul
Continuing the trend for the mid 2000’s, private developer Juniper embarked on an ambitious project that would reestablish Surfers Paradise and the beach front as a destination for tourists and locals. Rising 73 levels above the beach, Soul once again exceeded the majority of the acceptable solutions within the Town Plan. Working closely with Council Planning officer’s, DBI and the consultant team were able to demonstrate that a single tall tower had less impact than three compliant smaller towers. As part of the negotiations for Public Benefit, the developer was required to contribute to the master planning and construction of the beach side boardwalk and facilities.
Fast Facts:
: March 2006
: April 2012
: 8,262 square metres
: 72 levels
: 303
8,262 square metres
: 53,703 square metres
: Juniper
Jewel
The Jewel development commenced, all be it in a different form, prior to the GFC when DBI were engaged to prepare an approval for the original developer which would never be built. The site then sat dormant for a number of years in the hands of receivers until Chinese developer Ridong Group purchased the site in 2014. Ridong then formed a JV with China’s largest developer, the Wanda Group to realise the vision for Jewel. Located on the Gold Coast’s largest available beach front site, the Jewel will be the first new five star hotel developed on the Gold Coast since Palazzo Versace 16 years earlier. The significance of the project warranted the State Government “call in” the approval on the grounds of State significance. The Jewel project now also represents the new wave of foreign investment into the Gold Coast.
: 2014
: Under Construction
: 11,534 square metres
: Tower 1 - 41 levels / Tower 2 – 42 levels / Tower 3 – 34 levels
: 512 apartments / 171 hotel rooms
: 95,000 square metres
: Ridong Group & Wanda
Iluka
Located on the most sought after site in Surfers Paradise, Iluka, will be the tallest building on the Gold Coast. At 88 levels, - a number representing good luck in Chinese and seen as good luck for the Forise Development Group whose vision for the site is aimed at the growing Asian demand for luxury, - the development will include a mix of high end retail and luxury apartments of a standard not yet seen on the Gold Coast. As a sign of the growing confidence in the Gold Coast market by overseas investor, Iluka has already commenced construction.
: 2015
: Under Construction
: 3,492 square metres
: 88 levels
: 661
: 4,770 square metres
: 184,200 square metres
: Forise
Ruby represents the largest urban renewal project on the Gold Coast. Seen as yet another sign of confidence in the Gold Coast market, the Sydney based Ralan Group, not only has plans for four new towers on the old Paradise Resort site, but is so bullish about the market, has purchased the entire block to the South where another two towers are planned containing 1,000 apartments, as well as the site which is referred to as the GCI North site, where yet another two towers are planned. Stage 1 of Ruby has already commenced construction with final approvals being sought for Stage 4 and a variation to Stage 2. The overall theme for the project will continue being family based attractions which has proven to be a successful formula for the existing resort.
