Is it a bird? No it’s a palm tree

Raptis adds the finishing touches to its Broadbeach project, The Gallery, craning in trees for its rooftop terrace

BROADBEACH residents would have faced an unusual sight if they looked to the sky last week, with developer Raptis craning a number of mature palm trees on to the top of its 21-storey development The Gallery.

The trees on the tower’s rooftop retreat are part of the finishing touches being made to the $90m project ahead of it welcoming its first residents in the coming weeks.

Raptis joint managing director Evan Raptis said the craning of the palm trees was a milestone for the development, which attracted significant interest.

“It’s not often that you see palm trees hoisted over the skyline,” said Mr Raptis said.

“It was quite the sight – even for our construction teams, who took the opportunity to film it.

“From the porte cochère and lobby on Surf Parade right up to the rooftop, we’ve been pleased with the evolution of The Gallery Residences.

“As we set about completing the final touches, it’s a brilliant feeling to share the anticipation with residents.”

The palm trees form part of the outdoor residents lounge and pool, which is surrounded by sun lounges, while a gym allows resident to work-out in the sky. An indoor, contemporary residents’ lounge is also part of the tower’s amenities. The Gallery launched to the market in January 2020 and offers 90 apartments made up of 54 two-bedroom units and 36 three-bedroom apartments, of which 90 per cent are under contract. Company founder Jim Raptis said the project’s location on Surf Parade gave residents easy access to the café, shopping, beach and park lifestyle that Broadbeach offered. “And once residents open their front door, they can retreat to their own sanctuary, with rooftop amenities that offer a penthouse lifestyle to all — no matter which floor they call home,” he said. The Gallery adds to Raptis’s portfolio of Broadbeach developments, which include Bel Air, La Grande Residences, Mykonos, Biarrtitz, Marrakesh and the Phoenician.