Jobs bonanza as work begins on $1.3bn mini city

CONSTRUCTION has begun on a $1.3 billion minicity planned by the developers of the Q1 for a central Gold Coast site.

A giant crane which will be used to build Sunland Group’s 42ha The Lakes precinct at Clear Island Waters has risen above the site, where building works have begun on the first of four towers.

Hundreds of jobs are expected to be created during the creation of the first tower, with thousands across the whole complex during construction over the next decade.

“The four sculptural midrise buildings follow a curvature that embraces the natural contour of Lake Unity, allowing the facades to emerge from the ground,” Sunland managing director Sahba Abedian said.

“The two 10-storey buildings at the centre of the design feature ground-level retail and commercial spaces that will link to the future retail village at The Lanes, while the two 12-storey buildings will accommodate extensive resident amenities.

“Each building will capture lakefront, city skyline, and hinterland views.”

Each of the mid-rise towers will have between 72 and 77 luxury units.

Builder Hutchinson been appointed to run has the construction. The Lanes Residences will be launched to the market in early 2020.

City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said the Gold Coast continued to defy the slowing property market which has affected the nation’s capital cities.

“We are still seeing positive signs in the construction industry and there is an underlying confidence in the Gold Coast market,” he said.

“Despite concerns of broader economic uncertainty around the country, we as a market remain wellplaced.

“This development is centrally located and will provide a significant number of jobs in the future.”

Revised plans submitted to council in June revealed there will be a total of 642 bedrooms in the towers which, along with already approved buildings and completed townhouses, mean there will ultimately be 1262 bedrooms across the precinct.

The developer announced the $250 million four-tower boutique residential project in December last year as the latest stage of the mega development on the corner of Bermuda St and Hooker Blvd.

It will sit alongside the $200 million Lanes Shopping Centre and Lakes residential precinct.

The shopping centre project will be built on six hectares and feature 80 shops – cafes, restaurants, a fresh food hall, health and wellbeing services and a boutique cinemas – across 17,000sq m.

There will also be a giant Sunkids childcare centre. featuring a 4460sq m circular building which will offer space for 162 children across nine rooms.

It is the second project Sunland has moved forward on in recent weeks.

A giant crane rose last month over its $250 million luxury 45-storey Millionaire’s Row tower on Hedges Ave.

Construction of the 272 Hedges Ave tower will begin in October and it is expected to open to residents and the public in mid-2022.