DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
ONE of Surfers Paradise’s long empty riverside blocks is set for a post-Commonwealth Games grand entrance to the party precinct.
Developers have filed plans to build River Terrace, a two-tower mixed-use complex rising 48 and 36 storeys over the Nerang River, creating an “entrance statement” at the southern end of Surfers Paradise.
The project, put forward by Sydney-based developer Sunnyland Group, will have a total of 653 units across its two towers, with 4000 for short-term accommodation and 213 set aside for longterm or permanent residents.
It is earmarked for an Enderley Ave site near the Isle of Capri bridge and would neighbour the already approved 103-storey Orion Towers project, set to include the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building.
Councillors received a major project notice yesterday and have welcomed the plan.
City planning boss Cameron Caldwell said the development was well positioned and, if approved, would compliment the Gold Coast skyline.
“The development of this vacant site would be a key gateway development and entrance statement to Surfers Paradise and shows the strong sentiment in the property market,” Cr Caldwell said.
“We continue to see welllocated sites along the light rail route being attractive to developers.”
River Terrace would have a three-level podium including food and drink outlets, shops and four townhouses.
A total of 413 carparks would be provided.
Sunnyland, a Chinalinked company, is currently planning several major projects in western Sydney, including residential buildings at Homebush near the Olympic Park site.
The development was filed with the council this week and would transform the 5000sq m site which has sat vacant for more than a decade.
It was once earmarked as the site of a 30-storey, 197 unit project which failed to proceed following the Global Financial Crisis.
River Terrace will go before councillors in coming months and is likely to gain approval given city leaders have already approved the significantly larger Orion Towers.
In a report to councillors, the developer notes southern Surfers Paradise is undergoing a significant change as more high-end projects are planned for the area.
“Such change has in large occurred in response to the light rail corridor and is expected to continue for some time to come,” the report says.
Council’s proposed upgrade of the Isle of Capri bridge and surrounding streets will open Enderley Ave to cars from the west, something the developers expect will bring greater traffic to their project.