Southport Tower Approved to Rise 32 Storeys in CBD

Emerging from a decade in the development doldrums, the Gold Coast’s designated CBD is back on the rise with a 32-storey tower the latest addition to its pipeline of approved projects.

To be known as Malua, the residential highrise has been greenlit for a 1215sq m site at 18-22 Norman Street, within the Southport priority development area.

Under the Plus Studio-designed scheme, it will comprise 151 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across 27 levels above three podium and three basement levels.

Capping the 102.5m-high tower will be a rooftop communal recreation area overlooking the Broadwater, with a pool and deck, gym, fire pit and barbecue areas, as well as a work-from-home office and conference room.

The development proposal was lodged in December last year by an entity linked to Sydney-based businessman Michael Simmons.

Its nod from the Gold Coast City Council supersedes a previous approval for a substantially smaller 14-storey (45m) tower accommodating 68 two and three-bedroom units.

“The proposed development seeks to resolve financial viability issues of the existing development approval by providing a higher-density development with a more favourable unit mix and streamlined design, therefore offering additional housing supply and increased diversity,” a town planning report prepared by Zone Planning Group said.

▲ Renderings of the 32-storey tower approved for the site at 18-22 Norman Street.

Overall, the new scheme will provide a mix of 5 one-bedroom and 126 two-bedroom units from levels 5 to 26, and 20 three-bedroom sub-penthouse apartments across its top five levels.

As well, podium and basement parking will be provided for 163 cars.

“Southport is currently transitioning from ageing and underdeveloped building forms to more intense urban development outcomes that are more reflective of the area’s characteristics and services,” the documents said. “The proposed development is consistent with this emerging pattern of development.”

Meanwhile, Malaysian-based conglomerate MRCB is progressing with its approved $200-million Maris development comprising 192 apartments across a 20-storey tower on the former site of a 1960s-era Sundale Motel at 20 Queen Street, Southport.

At the other end of the development spectrum, a Melbourne-based syndicate led by developer Anthony Goss has been given the green light for the $700-million One Park Lane—a 101-storey dual tower project touted to become the southern hemisphere’s tallest building.

Early works are due to get under way on the 1507sq m site at 1 and 6 Park Lane, next to the Southport bowls and tennis clubs, in early 2026.

Tower plans also have been filed for a “historically vacant” 810sq m site at 24-26 Welch Street by GCD Group, which is seeking approval for a 19-storey highrise comprising 70 apartments and four levels of podium carparking.