ApartmentsPhil BartschThu 11 Jun 26
Sherpa Greenlit for $500m Palm Beach Dual-Tower Precinct
The seemingly endless wave of luxury oceanfront residential tower development keeps washing over the Gold Coast’s Palm Beach.
But on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, in the commercial heart of the beachside suburb, its urban evolution is really just beginning.
The approval for the second tower of Sherpa Group’s $500-million mixed-use Flourish precinct is a sign the revitalisation of central Palm Beach is under way.
To be known as Soleira, the towers will be connected via a skybridge.
The green light from the Gold Coast City Council paves the way for the project’s north tower at 1156-1164 Gold Coast Highway, cementing the Gold Coast-based developer’s vision for the prominent site.
Together with the already-approved 18-level south tower, the development is poised to transform a strategic block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, replacing older lowrise commercial-retail buildings.
The scheme includes a major retail and dining precinct above which the dual towers comprising 286 apartments will rise—154 in the north tower and 132 in the south tower in a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom floorplans.
As part of a mission to address housing entry barriers, Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet has committed to reserving all one-bedroom and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for first-home buyers.
Leet said the project had been designed to deliver a reinvigorated commercial heart alongside critical residential stock targeting a multi-generational buyer pool, including young families and downsizers.
“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach but a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” he said.
“Our vision through the Flourish brand is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point in the Palm Beach centre zone in thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations.”
The ground floor will activate the highway frontage with a major retail and dining precinct featuring boutique commercial offerings.
As well, residents will have access to lifestyle amenities, including multiple swimming pools, a wellness centre, massage treatment rooms, private indoor and outdoor dining facilities, barbecues, sun decks, a gym, basketball court and golf simulator.
Meanwhile, back across the road, Brisbane-based builder-developer Graya has lodged plans for a luxury nine-storey, 16-apartment development on a 1224sq m triple block along Jefferson Lane—its first absolute beachfront project on the Gold Coast.
At the northern tip of Palm Beach, two midrise residential towers accommodating 23 units are proposed for a 1362sq m site at 1499 and 1501 Gold Coast Highway that also extends to the Esplanade.
To be known as Amor, the proposal has been filed by developer Brett Freeman.
Designed by Plus Studio, the scheme includes a highway-facing tower with 14 two-bedroom units and beachfront tower with nine full-floor three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments.
A central resort-style podium level would provide residents with communal wellbeing and recreation amenities, including a swimming pool, gym and landscaped open spaces.
