Lewis Land Locks in Builder for $1.5bn Harbour Shores

The builder has been locked in and dirt will be turned in coming weeks on the $1.5-billion Harbour Shores project—one of the Gold Coast’s most significant residential developments.

Its masterplan will inject more than 2000 new homes to the city’s dwindling supply during the next decade.

Gold Coast-based Greyburn has been appointed to deliver the first stage of the development with construction expected to begin in July.

The inking of the contract coincides with the official launch of sales in what will be the city’s first 6-Star Green Star community. 

Lewis Land’s Harbour Shores masterplan was given the nod by the Gold Coast City Council in mid-2023.

It will span a 15.7ha canalfront site opposite Harbourtown Premium Outlets shopping complex, which it developed back in the late 1990s, at Biggera Waters in the city’s north.

The site is one of the last remaining large-scale, greenfield waterfront development parcels on the Gold Coast.

Overall, the project vision comprises 30 buildings rising from 2 to 12 storeys that will accommodate up to 5000 residents.

Lewis Land chief executive Brett Draffen said Greyburn’s appointment signalled the group’s commitment to delivering the project’s first three residential offerings as soon as possible.

“Bringing new supply to the market has never been so important for the Gold Coast and home buyers need to have confidence that the projects they’re investing in will be delivered,” he said.

“Greyburn Building Contractors has a 35-year history specialising in home and boutique apartment … so this is a tremendous outcome for the project.”

▲ Lewis Land chief executive Brett Draffen and renders of the Harbour Shores development at Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast.

Draffen said the first stage comprising 149 residences would start next month with the construction of a collection of waterfront villas followed by two mid-rise apartment buildings.

“The central community parkland, waterfront boardwalk, resort style clubhouse, pool and tennis court will also be delivered in this first stage,” he said.

“Based on the current construction program, the first residents of Harbour Shores will be welcomed into their homes in 2026.”

Harbour Shores’ second stage also was given the greenlight last year. It will comprise three 12-storey apartment towers with a combined 230 apartments.

The masterplanned community has been designed by BDA Architecture as a “village of villages” with a mix of boutique apartments and villas, communal open spaces and parklands, a waterfront boardwalk, private marina berths, and a range of resort-style resident amenities.