Malaysian-based conglomerate MRCB has been greenlit to build a 20-storey tower comprising 180 apartments on the site of a 1960s-era Gold Coast motel.
The approval, granted by the City of Gold Coast Council this month, supersedes previous plans for 133 apartments across 14 levels.
MRCB acquired the 1743sq m Sundale Motel site at 20 Queen Street, Southport, in August last year in a reported $7.25-million deal.
It swiftly lodged a development application a couple of weeks later following the launch to market of its $500-million, 51-storey 26 Vista project at Surfers Paradise.
MRCB International is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly listed urban property and infrastructure developer, Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad.
Its scheme replacing the 26-unit Sundale Motel, which opened on the Southport site in 1969, has been designed by Plus Architecture.
Overall, the proposed tower will accommodate a mix of 92 one-bedroom and 88 two-bedroom units above one basement and three podium levels.
“The proposed redevelopment of this site represents an opportunity to provide well-located infill development, contributing to urban consolidation targets, whilst also delivering a mix of housing typologies … to provide much-needed housing to the CBD core,” a planning report said.
Communal recreation space totalling about 450sq m will be provided, including a pool and deck, outdoor seating with barbecues, a gym and sauna/steam room on levels 2 and 3.
In homage to the site’s past, the podium design incorporates screened areas built of breeze blocks, which became a popular feature of buildings in the 1950s and 1960s.
Parking will be provided for 154 cars across the basement, ground and podium levels.
The Southport site is near the Broadwater Parklands light rail station as well as the Broadwater and its popular parklands and the Australia Fair shopping centre. Its neighbours include Harry Triguboff’s Meriton Sundale Apartments and its associated retail precinct.
