Developer ASF has released more design detail on the public open space, entertainment and leisure experiences of the Gold Coast Integrated Resort.
The newly released details include the following attractions:
9,200m2 waterfront square
Sub-tropical canopy, skywalk and gardens
Waterfront amphitheater
Signature ballroom
Broadwater coves for fishing, swimming and casual recreation
Marina, public boat and jet ski moorings
Medi-spa and health and day spa
Waterfalls
All ages leisure attraction
Jetties and piers
Terrace and rooftop gardens
Boutique shopping arcades
Waterfront restaurants
Waterfront markets
Art on the Broadwater
Restaurants, bars and nightclubs
Rooftop park with outdoor cinema.
Gold Coast Integrated Resort architect Michael Rayner, of Queensland-based Blight Rayner Architecture, said the design had to reflect the Gold Coast community’s values and diversity to ensure it appealed to locals and tourists alike.
“We were able to achieve this scale of public offerings by increasing height; this approach reduces the building footprint and opens up more public space for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Mr Rayner said.
“The existing three storey height limit was appropriate for its time but can only result in privatised resorts with limited public accessibility such as already exists on The Spit.
“The towers we have designed are well-dispersed on the near six hectare site, creating maximum public realm and opening up new and accessible areas never before available to Gold Coast residents or visitors,” he said.
Mr Rayner said that those who are concerned about the resort's impact on scenery can rest assured that that considerable work has gone into the design to ensure community views on height are respected and responded to in the design.
“Height is a relative issue; for instance, the Q1 Resort and Soul Surfers Paradise buildings are over 77 storeys and now stand as two of the Gold Coast’s most significant buildings.
"We’re proposing buildings of 45 storeys, down to 20 storeys, down to 3 storeys, creating a tapering of height along the coastline,” he said.
ASF Development Director Dean LaVigne also discussed the role height plays in enhancing public realm.
“Reducing site coverage and increasing height are the most effective ways to increase public space,” Mr LaVigne said.
“Height and scale are required to attract tourists, generate critical mass onsite, and deliver the revenue required to create high quality public spaces and free attractions for all ages and nationalities to enjoy.
“The fact is, the 'height limit' is a town planning matter; there is no prohibition on exceeding height, rather if exceeded, it is merely a trigger for a more stringent planning assessment process.
“We strongly believe the building heights are reasonable and necessary, and the combination of community, economic, and design benefits from the project give the Integrated Resort ‘significant planning merit’,” he said.
Height is one of the defining elements of the Gold Coast Integrated Resort and is critical to creating a landmark project for Queensland that will attract and excite locals and visitors for years to come.
The resort is currently progressing through the State Government’s Integrated Resort Development process.
