BMD Group Founder Plots 33-Storey Northcliffe Sentinels

Surfers Paradise’s D’Arcy Arms will be demolished to make way for a new vision for slender towers on two neighbouring sites, a stone’s throw from the beach.

BMD Group founder Mick Power’s Microrose Pty Ltd acquired the properties in 2005 and has lodged plans for a 33-storey tower, to be named Frederick, and a 30-storey tower, Aubrey, on a 3154sq m site at 2921 Gold Coast Highway, which would target the “missing middle” in the market. 

They are planned as a gateway to Power’s beloved Northcliffe where he has been a member of the surf club for more than 40 years, and BMD has held the naming rights of the club since 2007. 

Mick and wife Denise have many investments across the Gold Coast, including a record-breaking $15.5-million deal last year to buy 95 and 97 Hedges Avenue at Mermaid Beach for the construction giant founder’s new waterfront property. 

The Buchan-designed towers at Northcliffe will integrate, with distinct design features that are complementary and “create a landmark development for the southern gateway to Surfers Paradise”.
 
“The union of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach is overseen by the twin towers of siblings ‘Aubrey’ and ‘Frederick’, guarding the entry points to the Northcliffe precinct,” the design report said.

“The ‘Guardians’ capture the Gold Coast through vista and form. Quintessential of the Gold Coast lifestyle, the architectural composition not only captures the history of the gateway site, it captures the lifestyle our city is best known for.”

▲ Two slender towers have been designed to be complementary but distinct from each other as the guardians of Northcliffe.

The biophilic wrapped towers would include communal outdoor spaces and a pool atop the 2-storey podiums.

The 33-storey Frederick tower is mixed use with food and beverage at the ground plane, and 25 short-term accommodation apartments across five levels. Levels 10 to 32 would comprise 72 residential apartments with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom configurations. 

“The proposal consists of a strong public-to-private realm transition and includes a number of activated and lively edges to the buildings,” planning documents said.

“The food and beverage activities will operate from early morning to late into the evenings to complement the entertainment identity of Surfers Paradise and create a lively interface with the City’s Light Rail network. 

“The tower’s design is identified by a defined podium and slender tower form punctuated by a recreation level at Level 9 by balconies to the corner of the building, vertical batten screening, projecting and curved slab edges, recesses complemented by vertical landscaping, a subtle tower crown and a soft colour palette that is reflective of the site’s beachside context.”

The second tower, Aubrey, will include a So-Ho configuration within the 30-storey residential tower. 

▲ Both developments will front the Gold Coast Highway and provide activation with the Gold Coast Light Rail at their doorsteps.

The development would comprise 84 apartments, with four units designed to operate as townhouses with small home offices. 

“The proposal represents important infill development and seeks to increase the development intensity of significantly underutilised existing urban land that directly fronts the Gold Coast Light Rail corridor and has excellent access to essential services, entertainment and recreation facilities,” planning documents said. 

“The tower is situated above a three-storey podium structure, which includes a ground-level supporting home business tenancies, pedestrian entrance lobby, services and a vehicular access point from Aubrey Street. 

“The two upper podium levels contain residential parking, living area for the townhouses and a large communal recreation area located on the podium rooftop.”

Down the road, BMD Group has begun works on the $63.3-million Gold Coast Turf Club redevelopment project. 

But the 71-year-old founder of BMD Group and record-breaking buyer of a Hedges Avenue property is locked in a dispute with the Gold Coast City Council over its proposed Oceanway. 

If completed, the beachfront path would stretch from the Spit at Southport down to Point Danger, a 36km path across some of Queensland’s most expensive beachfront properties.