Odus Property Group Plots 40-Storey Skyscraper for Southport CBD

It spans five lots and is currently occupied by ageing, underutilised lowrise commercial buildings.

“Consistent with much of Southport, the surrounding area is undergoing significant transition, with many older low-rise developments progressively being redeveloped for higher-intensity urban outcomes, as envisaged within Precinct 1,” a planning report prepared by Zone Planning Group said.

“Many of the commercial buildings and contemporary residential developments in the locality exhibit high site coverage, increased building intensity, and built-to-boundary design elements.”

The scheme has been designed by BGD Architects to anchor the eastern edge of the Southport CBD and leverage its water-facing position.

It draws on a blend of coastal organic elements and classical European forms—with a tiered, arch-filled, eight-storey podium sitting below a tower crowned by a sculptural rooftop structure—featuring white render and bronze-tint glazing.

▲ A rendering of the 40-storey tower proposed for 74-80 Marine Parade and 4 Welch Street, Southport.

“The proposal … will be delivered within a contemporary high-rise built form that responds to the site’s prominent position,” the documents said.

“The podium establishes a strong base through its larger floorplate, integrated landscaping, screening treatments and recreation facilities, while the tower steps back above the podium to create a more slender built form.”

Overall, the proposed tower would accommodate a mix of 104 one-bedroom and 208 two-bedroom apartments across levels 9 to 34 and four four-bedroom penthouses on levels 35 and 36. Each unit is designed to be used interchangeably for permanent residential living or short-term holiday accommodation.

On the ground floor, a double-height lobby, reception, and a 23sq m cafe would activate the street interface.

Podium parking would be provided for 288 cars and 74 bicycles accessed via the southern portion of the site.

Capping the podium is a planned lifestyle deck with a pool, spas, saunas, steam room, cinema, kids games room and residents’ lounge.

▲ Renderings of the 40-storey tower proposed for 74-80 Marine Parade and 4 Welch Street, Southport.

As well, the communal amenity would extend to a secondary wellness and communal hub on level 37 with a reading room, gym, co-working spaces, dining areas and kitchen.

Sydney-based Odus Property Group has scaled back the project from an earlier pre-lodgement design rising 50 storeys, removing two basement levels and adding a podium parking level to optimise traffic efficiency and mitigate visual bulk.

“Importantly, the development will not compromise the function, accessibility or enjoyment of the Broadwater Parklands,” the planning report said.

“Rather, it will contribute to a defined and legible eastern gateway to the Southport CBD, reinforcing the area's high-density urban character while maintaining a strong visual connection to the adjoining public open space network.

“The proposed development has been designed to respond to the existing and emerging pattern of highrise development along Marine Parade and within the Southport PDA.”

In June, a 5420sq m state-owned development site in the heart of Southport with the potential to deliver more than 300 homes was released to market.

Economic Development Queensland appointed Colliers to run a request for proposals campaign for the property at 1–3 Scarborough Street within the Southport PDA. That campaign closed July 16.

And in May a co-living tower of 10 storeys and 126 sole-occupancy micro-apartments with shared amenities was filed for the suburb,

Earmarked for a 1032sq m site at 132 Queen Street, it as filed as a rooming accommodation application by an entity led by Gold Coast financial advisor Gareth Croy.