Twin Towers for Hope Island ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’

Property giant Stockland has filed plans for a dual-tower residential development rising 10 storeys along a former boulevard of broken dreams on the Gold Coast.

The proposal is earmarked for a 4639sq m waterfront site at 2 Marina Quays Boulevard, Hope Island on the northern end of the glitter strip.

It is part of a 3.3ha holding previously envisioned by fallen Gold Coast entrepreneur John Fish as a $1-billion town centre precinct—including upmarket retail outlets, restaurants, a private school and medical precinct.

Australia’s largest residential developer swooped on the prime parcel—with a 180m north-facing frontage to Hope Island canal— back in 2017, acquiring it for $13.5 million from administrators of Fish Developments.

Under its mixed-use plans recently lodged with the Gold Coast City Council, Stockland would deliver 122 apartments comprising eight one-bedroom, 52 two-bedroom, 60 three-bedroom units as well as two four-bedroom penthouses.

Spanning two towers rising up to 33m, the proposal also includes 1042sq m of podium-top landscaped communal open space with a swimming pool, sunbeds, deck, barbecue and seating nook areas.

On the ground level, retail-commercial tenancies with a gross net lettable area totalling 1000sq m fronting Marina Quays Boulevard have been integrated into the DKO Architecture-designed scheme.

As well, two levels of carparking for 287 vehicles would be provided across the basement and lower podium.

A design statement said inspiration for the twin tower project had come from “the natural landforms found in the nearby Gold Coast Broadwater and its estuaries”.

“The buildings’ form has taken cues from the organic large curves and recesses found in these landforms … [and the] colour palette is also inspired by nature, found in the muted tones of the local flora of the Broadwater.”

Apartments within the buildings have been orientated in a north/north-east direction “maximising climatic benefits and outlook for residents”, it said.

North of Brisbane, Stockland also has recently submitted plans with Moreton Bay Regional Council for another waterfront development comprising 142 apartments, townhouses and villas across a 1.15ha site within its Newport Estate at Redcliffe.

Newport Residences is proposed to be delivered in two stages.

It would incorporate two L-shaped six-storey apartment buildings with 122 two and three-bedroom apartments in the four upper levels, 11 three-bedroom, two-storey townhouses built into a two level podium and nine two-storey, four-bedroom villas—each with a private plunge pool—on top of the podium.