"Boutique" towers are trending in the Gold Coast, especially for older buyers looking to downsize.
They have plenty of reasons to look toward the sky: significantly less maintenance, and often, fewer stairs, than traditional multi-million dollar mansions. Being closer to the city center and light rail means less driving, too.
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Penthouses and floors with only one or two units are popular, with five or more "boutique" towers with less than 10 stories approved or in assessment by the Gold Coast City Council, as well as a nine-story mixed-use building and a 15-story mid-rise in the area, according to a report by Gold Coast Bulletin.
Below we profile two developments on the market this fall. Both offer luxurious design, convenient amenities and a gorgeous beach backdrop to the Gold Coast’s new wave of dwellers.
Jewel, 35-44 Old Burleigh Road
Rising from Queensland’s Gold Coast, Jewel is a $1.2 billion development spanning across three towers in Surfers Paradise with a Wanda Vista hotel, high-end restaurants, condos and high-end retail.
Residents will have virtually endless views of the ocean and the surrounding townscape, and most units will feature balconies. Jewel is the first beachfront resort development there geared toward tourism and leisure in three decades, and the apartments are priced well above neighboring buildings. Sales and construction are underway now.
Number of units: 512 Price range: A$700,000 (US$533,925) for one bedrooms, A$2.9 million (US$2.2 million) for three bedrooms Developer/architect: Dalian Wanda Group/Ridong Group/Brookfield Multiplex/Barry Lee Apartment sizes: One bedrooms, two bedrooms, three bedrooms Amenities: Beachfront swimming pools, spa, gym, business amenities including spaces to hold meetings and conferences, private bars, concierge, and three levels of basement parking with space for 816 cars Website:Jewel
Northcliffe Residences, 3 Northcliffe Terrace
This is a residential, beachfront development on the Gold Coast. The 25-story building features floor-to-ceiling windows with vast ocean views and clean, modern finishes from Cottee Parker (the design team also behind the city development Queens Wharf Brisbane).
The light rail is within walking distance, and there are also three levels of parking for residents. When residents aren’t surfing or swimming in the ocean directly outside, they can lock up their gear at the surfboard storage onsite, or hang out in the private infinity pool and lounge area.
A two-story penthouse features its own rooftop pool for the utmost privacy and luxury. Homes are for sale now and scheduled to be completed in June 2018.
Number of units: 75 Price range: One bedrooms range from A$450,000-A$695,000 (US$343,237-US$530,111), two bedrooms range from A$760,000-A$1.15 million (US$579,690-US$1.1 million), three bedrooms range from A$2.228 million-A$2.450 million (US$1.1M-US$1.8 million), and penthouses range from A$4.05 million-A$4.250 million (US$3 million-US$3.2 million) Developer/architect: McGrath/Cottee Parker Design Studio Apartment sizes: One bedrooms, two bedrooms, three bedrooms, whole-floor "sub-penthouses" (units directly under the main penthouse), plus a four-bedroom main penthouse with its own rooftop pool. Amenities: Infinity pool, surfboard storage, lounge, private dining room, parking, and residents’ beach club with a gym, steam room, sauna, and yoga area Website: Northcliffe Residences