Gabba PDA HERO.jpg

<p>As any long distance runner will tell you, good things come slow.</p><p>Just shy of nine years before it becomes the epicentre of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, inner-city Woolloongabba on the city’s southside is yet to hit its stride.</p><p>But as the clock keeps ticking the race plan is finally coming together—and a growing field of towering development proposals awaits the starter’s gun.</p><p>The trigger, however, won’t be pulled for at least another 12 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has declared the official parameters of its expanded Woolloongabba Priority Development Area.</p><p>Spanning 106ha—an area more than 40 times the size of the famed Gabba sporting field— it encompasses a wider chunk of Woolloongabba as well as surrounding Kangaroo Point, East Brisbane, South Bank and the Stanley Street precinct.</p><p>The expanded urban renewal zone—superseding the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA—is aimed at providing “a more integrated and co-ordinated planning approach for the whole suburb”.</p><p>It is also touted as the catalyst for the delivery of “thousands of new homes”—with a 20 per cent requirement of new stock being “high quality social or affordable housing” to accommodate frontline or key workers.</p><p>As well, the state government is maintaining its commitment to set aside 50 per cent of the Cross River Rail and Stadium precinct as green space.</p><p>“We have a unique opportunity to capitalise on Queensland’s growth and 2032 to create a thriving inner-city suburb,” Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said.</p><p>“The larger Woolloongabba PDA will transform the area as the southern gateway to Brisbane’s city centre.</p><p>“Major projects like the Gabba [stadium] redevelopment, Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro will bring investment to the area, and we’ll see more jobs and more housing.</p><div id="55vAo0HmTrcj03XSCXZtBu"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4H8bhpGfQt79STSwWLB6va/9e086edc47404522df819ecd35a8ecc4/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T175455.187.jpg" alt="Render of the Brisbane Olympics precinct with the planned $2.7-billion redeveloped, 50,000-seat Gabba Stadium." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4H8bhpGfQt79STSwWLB6va/9e086edc47404522df819ecd35a8ecc4/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T175455.187.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ A render of the Brisbane Olympics precinct with the planned $2.7-billion&nbsp; 50,000-seat Gabba Stadium.<br><br></span></div></div><p>“It will also allow for better connections into the CBD and beyond and more active transport options, including a walkable spine from The Gabba to Roma Street [in the CBD] through South Bank.”</p><p>But, and somewhat ironically, developers looking to accelerate projects though the PDA’s streamlined planning and assessment processes will have to wait.</p><p>The detailed planning and community engagement necessary to complete the development scheme is not due to be finalised until “around September 2024”.</p><p>In the meantime, an interim land use plan (ILUP) will be in effect for the next 12 months.</p><p>Defining the boundaries of the PDA was a “step in the right direction”&nbsp; by the state government, says developer Sarazin’s managing director Darren Dougan.</p><p>“It’s a positive step and we’re delighted it has finally happened,” he says.</p><p>But Dougan adds: “We still don’t know all the details and it’s going to take 12 months until all that is resolved … there’s a whole heap of things they’re looking at and, from our point of view, we like the fact that there’s going to be additional infrastructure and green space coming into the Gabba.</p><p>“But the sooner they come up with a plan, the better for everyone.”</p><p>Sydney-based Sarazin is among the major stakeholders within the newly-declared Woolloongabba PDA, with six newly upscaled apartment towers planned across three sites totalling almost 1.4ha.</p><p>It has recently filed amended plans for the trio of holdings with the Brisbane City Council, increasing their yield by 63 per cent—from 986 to 1609 apartments.</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T180108.646.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7vxqT76GTcG8YYmWZ0uhrK/d6cfc02365d1e578d6f480eade624390/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180108.646.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7vxqT76GTcG8YYmWZ0uhrK/d6cfc02365d1e578d6f480eade624390/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180108.646.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T180440.457.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2CvzhHFQQPoktvQnaLzvXt/618d830c574fd734708dcce0496e4d8a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180440.457.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2CvzhHFQQPoktvQnaLzvXt/618d830c574fd734708dcce0496e4d8a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180440.457.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T180354.601.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5b1Frh1o09le1IVNfeZ8Jz/e3b876a203e08b03a1fbe27d37b90edb/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180354.601.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5b1Frh1o09le1IVNfeZ8Jz/e3b876a203e08b03a1fbe27d37b90edb/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180354.601.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T181353.536.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6FbdqfNQZ7PDK5IDTl6vV3/461cb1ddd7154e2e9a27cfb54ae4cd55/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T181353.536.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6FbdqfNQZ7PDK5IDTl6vV3/461cb1ddd7154e2e9a27cfb54ae4cd55/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T181353.536.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T181731.288.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/75NstvI1ucbgzWzgG14fYB/bcd285abfdb65c1a9d46a84e204523df/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T181731.288.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/75NstvI1ucbgzWzgG14fYB/bcd285abfdb65c1a9d46a84e204523df/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T181731.288.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-25T182116.724.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4QYbJi17KsVUohPItyk8Cy/02cfe58086cef2462bb86ddba34da8c9/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T182116.724.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4QYbJi17KsVUohPItyk8Cy/02cfe58086cef2462bb86ddba34da8c9/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T182116.724.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>They include its planned Nuage dual towers rising 27 and 37 storeys with 582 apartments on a 4057sq m site at 6-18 Wellington Rd and 25 Nile Street; the triple tower Hampton Yards proposal of 18, 30 and 40 storeys with 787 apartments on a 7148sq m site at 15-21 Wellington Road; and the 27-storey Murcia with 240 apartments on a 2671 sq m site at 9 Overend Street and 31-33 Wellington Road.</p><p>“Overall, it's an exciting time to be developing in this area,” says Sarazin’s Queensland director Adam Rainbird. “But there's obviously still a lot of information to be discussed and to come from the state government.</p><p>“And [the Brisbane Olympics] is just under nine years away, so the faster we can gain more clarity the better it is, not only for us but the private sector that’s looking to develop, because then we can understand the playing field and what can and can’t be done.”</p><p>Sarazin made its move into the Woolloongabba market before Brisbane was confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympics and has already completed Silk One, a 20-storey tower with 172 apartments overlooking the Gabba Stadium. It is part of its three-tower Silk Lane project on Stanley Street.&nbsp;</p><p>“Constraints around construction are still the big issue,” Sarazin’s Darren Dougan says. “But, generally speaking, with the new train station coming in we’re pretty confident that the Gabba is going to become a more desired place to live.&nbsp;</p><p>“And so we’re looking at growing additional density across the precinct, which I think aligns with what the state government wants to do anyway.”</p><p>Speaking at an Urban Land Institute event recently, head of Economic Development Queensland, Debbie McNamara said Queensland had “growth at its front door, but it’s a good problem to have”.</p><div id="1YlbOlwY2tg5pZmYoIhwRX"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3rPfXxnLArM3HQqxbeyXxc/c520e1132b547774c26b88f636d0226d/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180151.577.jpg" alt="Render of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics at the redeveloped Gabba Stadium." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3rPfXxnLArM3HQqxbeyXxc/c520e1132b547774c26b88f636d0226d/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180151.577.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ A render of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics at the redeveloped Gabba Stadium.<br><br></span></div></div><p>She said the expanded Woolloongabba PDA represented an opportunity to reshape the suburb from its industrial past to a mixed-use high density future.&nbsp;</p><p>“The Gabba is an enormous opportunity but it's pretty complex, we will have the Olympics overlay (to contend with).</p><p>“I know we're not going to make everyone happy but I think we can get some great outcomes.”</p><p>There is a slew of gamechanging projects in the blocks for the newly-expanded Woolloongabba PDA.</p><p>Among them is a recently-lodged <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gabba-four-tower-precinct-olympic-games" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gabba-four-tower-precinct-olympic-games">four-tower scheme spanning 9361sq m site at 79 Logan Road</a>. One tower is slated for a 230-room hotel and serviced apartments while the other three would comprise more than 1380 build-to-rent apartments.</p><p>Todd Brown’s Brisbane-based Belmonde Property Group is behind the $1.5-billion development proposal—dubbed the Gabba Heart Precinct—in a joint venture with Sun Luxe Group.</p><p>Earlier this year, Trenert Group lodged plans for <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-gabba-olympic-games-precinct-five-towers" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-gabba-olympic-games-precinct-five-towers">a $1.2-billion, five-tower mixed-use development</a> that would span almost an entire Woollangabba block with the heritage-listed Railway Hotel—previously also known as the Chalk Hotel—as its centrepiece.</p><div id="4hv0ehQfBj0UkJwIC6YAdE"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/TskN3fgXYHOkmVBd0YyUn/076970ba63ef9d7cad6fc615899f33f8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180611.450.jpg" alt=" A render of Trenert Group’s multi-tower mixed-use development proposal. " data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/TskN3fgXYHOkmVBd0YyUn/076970ba63ef9d7cad6fc615899f33f8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-25T180611.450.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ A render of Trenert Group’s multi-tower mixed-use development proposal.<br><br></span></div></div><p>It followed the Queensland and federal governments reaching a <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gabba-brisbane-olympic-games-2032-redevelopment-confirmed" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gabba-brisbane-olympic-games-2032-redevelopment-confirmed">$7-billion-plus funding agreement to supercharge preparations for the Brisbane Games</a> along with a decision to expand the Gabba Olympic Priority Development Area.</p><p>Trenert plans to deliver 200,000sq m of gross building area by 2030—including a 40-storey-plus five-star international hotel with 320 suites, 36-level residential tower with 165 apartments, 18-level short-term accommodation tower and 16-level tower with 114 social and affordable housing units in partnership with community housing provider BlueCHP.</p><p>It also includes a 22-level commercial tower with 50,000sq m of office space, retail plaza and food and beverage outlets totalling 6000sq m and 7000sq m of open and green space.</p><p>Nearby, developer Aria Property Group has recently seized the development opportunity of the emerging Olympic hub and filed <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-upscales-as-brisbane-olympic-precinct-goes-big" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-upscales-as-brisbane-olympic-precinct-goes-big">upscaled plans for its Canopy House apartment tower</a> already under construction on a 1500sq m site at the corner of Leopard and Vulture streets, Kangaroo Point.</p><p>Under the revised proposal, Aria is seeking to increase the building height from its approved 22 storeys to 30 storeys and residential density from 105 to 136 apartments.</p><p>No doubt there will be more projects taking their marks on the newly-declared Woolloongabba PDA’s development starting line.</p><p>And 12 months from now, the race will be on.<br><br></p><hr><p><strong><br>You are currently experiencing&nbsp;<em>The Urban Developer</em>&nbsp;Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals.&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans"><strong>Click here to learn more.</strong></a></p><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

The starter’s gun is at least 12 months away on a slew of projects in the blocks for the newly expanded Woolloongabba priority development area…

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<p>Developer-builder Mayd Group has filed plans for a $350-million five-star hotel and residential development at North Kirra on the southern end of the Gold Coast.</p><p>The beachfront proposal is earmarked for a 4742sq m site across eight amalgamated lots fronting Pacific Parade, Golden Four Drive and Musgrave Street.</p><p>It would comprise a 10-level tower with 60 apartments, including two penthouses, as well as five double-storey beach houses and a 160-key hotel.</p><p>The scheme designed by architecture firm MAS Studio features two, three and four-bedroom residences, many with multipurpose rooms.</p><p>Resort-style amenities include a private pool area with sunken lounge, sauna, spa, yoga lawn, barbecue as well as a lounge, bar and cinema.</p><p>Targeting the high-end owner-occupier market, the apartments also will have access to the hotel’s five-star facilities including a valet, room and laundry services as well as the hotel pool, lounges and restaurant.</p><p>Gold Coast-based Mayd Group director Todd Mould said given the site’s position only 1km from the Gold Coast Airport, which has been undergoing an expansion to cater for additional international and domestic flight connections, there was a recognised need in the area for a five-star hotel.</p><p>As well, he said the apartments had been designed to meet demand from global travellers and people who worked remotely.</p><p>“We were fortunate to have been able to acquire eight adjoining sites to create one large beachfront site for our signature masterplan at North Kirra,” Mould said.</p><p>&nbsp;“The opportunity to develop such a large beachfront site in North Kirra is a rare one … [and] we have been working with Gold Coast City Council on lodging the development application to deliver a landmark building of high distinction for such a prominent site.”</p><p>The site has a 90m beach frontage and is a short walk to restaurants, cafes and shops.</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="3 (3).jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/27GpkELYSqrNXnBXSEj5b6/f21f04338b25302b01bc677a967894f6/3__3_.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/27GpkELYSqrNXnBXSEj5b6/f21f04338b25302b01bc677a967894f6/3__3_.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="1 (5).jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/16wnqS6Jn1Rx7KtxURaqp6/28a9919ecb34bd793e6c97d3c21194af/1__5_.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/16wnqS6Jn1Rx7KtxURaqp6/28a9919ecb34bd793e6c97d3c21194af/1__5_.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="2 (4).jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5CKpPOa8wicOqhPF3amEBw/124bd8ce98d2915e6ac723fa913eb712/2__4_.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5CKpPOa8wicOqhPF3amEBw/124bd8ce98d2915e6ac723fa913eb712/2__4_.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>MAS Studio director Nick Symonds said the prominent position at the gateway to Kirra—one of the Gold Coast’s famed surfing destinations—had inspired the masterplan design.</p><p>“From the outset of our design process, we have been aware of the importance of this highly visible site and the obligation to create a statement entrance to Kirra, while at the same time blending in with the surrounding built forms,” he said.</p><p>“The design is strongly influenced by local context, reflecting the unique beauty of North Kirra beach and relaxed beachside lifestyle, elevating it with luxury dwellings for those who share the passion of this unique lifestyle and location.</p><p>“Abundant greenery on the podium will cool the street where a row of beach houses, complete with their own private green courtyards, will provide a residential scaled address to the street.”</p><p>The Gold Coast Airport strip—including Tugun, Bilinga and North Kirra— has emerged as a development hostpot in recent times with a string of medium-sized residential towers going up and planned for the area.</p><p>It is also along the proposed final stage of the Gold Coast light rail section, which is progressing from Broadbeach South to Burleigh.</p>

Developer Mayd Group wants to build the southern Gold Coast’s first five-star hotel plus 60 units on its eight-lot amalgamated site…


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<p>Tower plans have been toned down for a waterfront former pub site north of Brisbane where chartbusting brotherly trio The Bee Gees played their first paid gig.</p><p>Sydney-based developer Traders In Purple’s revised proposal reduces the height of its approved 15-storey development at Woody Point—about 30km from Brisbane's CBD—by five levels.</p><p>The new scheme designed by Ellivo Architects splits the previous greenlit single tower proposal into two scaled-down buildings of 9 and 10 storeys with a slight increase in yield from 158 to 175 apartments.</p><p>It would be developed in two stages—the first tower comprising 104 two, three and four-bedroom apartments and the second tower 71 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.</p><p>The 6917sq m site spanning three lots at 2 and 8 Gayundah Esplanade was partially occupied by the landmark Filmer’s Palace Hotel until it was demolished in 2014 after a fire caused structural damage to the building.</p><p>Built in 1909, the pub—owned and operated by Harold and Lillian Filmer and later managed by their son Ken and his wife Mavis—earned a place in musical history as the venue where three young local lads performed their first paid gig in 1959 before becoming recording superstars as The Bee Gees.</p><p>The brothers Gibb—Barry, Robin and Maurice—reputedly each received a bottle of Coca-Cola for their singing efforts and their parents, Hugh and Barbara, were poured a beer.</p><div id="VlfUIb8brjKE8mQmfUO5m"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5XWCjjBxCBEPe2dc9SmIV6/fb381112357f18e24a47f93e95a70ca0/Mid_article_resizes__75_.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5XWCjjBxCBEPe2dc9SmIV6/fb381112357f18e24a47f93e95a70ca0/Mid_article_resizes__75_.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The Bee Gees in the 1950s.<br><br></span></div></div><p>Traders In Purple’s original plans for the Woody Point site were given the nod in 2020 after the Planning and Environment Court upheld the council’s decision to approve its tower proposal despite community backlash and receiving more than 100 objections.</p><p>The change application filed with the Moreton Bay Regional Council is aimed at delivering a project with improved housing diversity that is more in harmony with community expectations and post pandemic lifestyle changes</p><p>“Everywhere we work, we always try to do the right thing by the community,” Traders In Purple director Charlie Daoud told <em>The Urban Developer</em>.</p><div id="unG9HdYiy7xHXw0JY2e1H"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3hG9kLhdHtGHjy7N3jB0Tn/b017d75f961a1fce31fd2add8b220788/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T161838.752.jpg" alt="Renders of the revised plans (left) for the Woody Point site and the previously approved proposal." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3hG9kLhdHtGHjy7N3jB0Tn/b017d75f961a1fce31fd2add8b220788/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T161838.752.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Renders of the revised plans (left) for the Woody Point site and the previously approved proposal.<br><br></span></div></div><p>“Even though it didn’t impact them from a privacy and overshadowing point of view, the problem the community had by and large was the quantum of storeys or the overall height.</p><p>“And they were afraid what it would do was set a precedent in the precinct.”</p><p>Daoud said the redesign was initially prompted by Covid construction cost escalations and the desire to introduce more product diversity into the project due to lifestyle changes.</p><p>“It was kind of responding to accommodate for people who are now working from home as well as the need for diversity—not everybody wants or can afford a three-bedroom apartment,” he said.</p><p>“And as part of that process, we’ve also taken on board the community commentary and used that to inform the design … the height, bulk, density and scale of the project moving forward.</p><p>“We believe the revised design will not only produce a superior outcome for our future residents but also the broader community.”</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-20T161930.440.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/ovdJNzzGABahmg8Wi88gU/2240ab6fbd9e872db0e52c36a80cbd54/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T161930.440.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/ovdJNzzGABahmg8Wi88gU/2240ab6fbd9e872db0e52c36a80cbd54/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T161930.440.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-20T162102.158.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/Uo5nNF2DE3ZvOBmtYeuVI/19a1257549fbaea14285871032b9c2e8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T162102.158.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/Uo5nNF2DE3ZvOBmtYeuVI/19a1257549fbaea14285871032b9c2e8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T162102.158.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-20T163200.296.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Zy4ZUk6z6xNTGt3rJvnrc/efdd3fbdc657450e7a290c2df5f4a4b4/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163200.296.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3Zy4ZUk6z6xNTGt3rJvnrc/efdd3fbdc657450e7a290c2df5f4a4b4/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163200.296.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-20T163227.836.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5nXXGgkJv0yIWpxxyom5zz/e5f164d4770fdddb39d793fbf5ebdacc/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163227.836.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5nXXGgkJv0yIWpxxyom5zz/e5f164d4770fdddb39d793fbf5ebdacc/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163227.836.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-20T163257.186.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2b5NRbg4YSqLOCowPrJERm/ef7a0b9317b228db05c0728f166a4172/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163257.186.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2b5NRbg4YSqLOCowPrJERm/ef7a0b9317b228db05c0728f166a4172/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-20T163257.186.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>The new two-tower plan includes a 20m separation between the two buildings to provide a view corridor through the site as well as allowing improved natural light into both the apartments and ground-level communal recreation space featuring swimming pools and landscaped gardens.</p><p>Each of the buildings would have two basement levels accommodating a combined 325 carparking spaces.</p><p>“The development is architecturally designed to respond to the high scenic amenity values associated with the local coastal setting … [providing] housing that meets the market demands for a wide group of buyers/tenants, to help improve the housing supply shortfalls currently experienced in south-east Queensland,” a planning report said.</p><p>“The built form at the proposed height of nine and 10 storeys contributes positively to the unique coastal landscape character of Woody Point, at a scale which is generally consistent with the established character of the locality.”</p><p>Development activity has ramped up in the waterside precinct in recent years.&nbsp;</p><p>Traders In Purple has undertaken several other developments on the Redcliffe Peninsula and, if its revised plans are approved, the Gayundah Esplanade proposal would be its third at Woody Point.</p><p>Meanwhile, Lewis Land Group has poured millions of dollars into the renovation and expansion of the century-old Belvedere Hotel—affectionately known locally as “The Bel”—as well as Redcliffe's Mon Komo Hotel.</p>

A 15-storey project approved for the former site of a Queensland hotel where The Bee Gees played their first paid gig has been reworked…

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<p>Another boutique residential tower proposal has landed in the booming Gold Coast Airport strip of Bilinga.</p><p>Byron Bay-based developer Molti Group is behind the latest plans, which comprises an 11-storey beachfront tower with 19 apartments—including two double-storey penthouses.</p><p>The proposal is earmarked for a 1124sq m site at 307 and 307A Golden Four Drive.</p><p>If approved by the Gold Coast City Council it would replace a block of four units and a two-storey house.</p><p>The scheme designed by BDA Architects features a slender tower with cascading planters and a “floating” roof form.</p><p>“The tower’s form when viewed from the beach is simple and minamalistic, with large cantilevered balconies and high-quality materials that help to promote connectivity to the beach and ocean beyond,” a design statement said.</p><p>One the ground level, the plans include a main lobby, a four-bedroom apartment and communal recreation facilities including a pool, barbecue and dining area and sauna.</p><p>Two three-bedroom apartments per floor are proposed from levels 1 to 8.</p><p>The double-storey, four-bedroom penthouses would feature private rooftop terraces each with a plunge pool, lounge seating area and tables.</p><p>According to a planning report, the proposed 34.5m tower would exceed the site’s building height limit of 23m but was “achievable” under the strategic framework with a 50 per cent building height uplift applied.</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-19T153605.264.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2OIUrTwXfG2xObe68Pu1IG/aa65d45a2fe9bf585c5db8956717365a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153605.264.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2OIUrTwXfG2xObe68Pu1IG/aa65d45a2fe9bf585c5db8956717365a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153605.264.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-19T153847.925.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/54icpNgrtsXmbguHzD39uI/457c027ad9ae2d0c28d1115213c9166a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153847.925.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/54icpNgrtsXmbguHzD39uI/457c027ad9ae2d0c28d1115213c9166a/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153847.925.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-19T153918.361.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/jNsTtIVtnDvkTOJt3fRYU/a70b939cde37373fdb746af4693c54c8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153918.361.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/jNsTtIVtnDvkTOJt3fRYU/a70b939cde37373fdb746af4693c54c8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153918.361.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-19T153652.031.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/515u5KwTYyJqwfQ21tdcL6/1cc8e79cc659464d57a91940da3ff91f/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153652.031.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/515u5KwTYyJqwfQ21tdcL6/1cc8e79cc659464d57a91940da3ff91f/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153652.031.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-19T153809.045.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5LeuzoP7IpEBNIBN7X33Rl/0c765f495501ba40db74b969bc901991/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153809.045.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5LeuzoP7IpEBNIBN7X33Rl/0c765f495501ba40db74b969bc901991/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-19T153809.045.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>A total of 41 resident carparking spaces would be provided within two basement levels.</p><p>Molti Group’s proposal is among a rising number of development applications filed for the beachside precinct at the southern end of the Gold Coast.</p><p>Nearby, plans were recently filed by Cielo Group for <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/cielo-airport-bilinga-light-rail-gold-coast-queensland" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/cielo-airport-bilinga-light-rail-gold-coast-queensland" target="_blank">a 10-storey tower with 20 apartments</a> and rooftop pool to replace two beach-shacks on a 1012sq m site at 90-92 Pacific Parade.</p><p>Other developments include seven-storey plans by a former Socceroo player and nine-storey plans by a strip club baron, which have both been approved.</p><p>Bilinga will be along the final Gold Coast light rail section, which is currently progressing from Broadbeach South to Burleigh.</p><p>The Queensland government also has identified the suburb as a potential site for an aerotropolis as well as expanded retail and commercial opportunities near its light rail station.</p>

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<p>The Southport CBD still may be—as one local property pundit puts it—the “sleeping giant of the Gold Coast market”.</p><p>But if all had gone to plan during the past decade it would already be wide awake.</p><p>In October, it will be 10 years since the Queensland government declared the Southport CBD and its surrounds a Priority Development Area.</p><p>Covering almost 200ha, the PDA was meant to establish Southport as the city’s “definitive centre for commerce” and be the catalyst for billions of dollars in projects through the cutting of red tape and fast-tracking of development approvals.</p><p>“This will be the ‘decade of Southport’,” a local politician enthused at the time.</p><p>And for a while it was a prophecy that seemed like it just may unfold.</p><p>CBRE Gold Coast senior director Tania Moore concedes even she had high hopes to start with.</p><p>“Significant delays through the town planning process were an obstacle for new business to come here,” she says. “And people were excited the PDA was going to be the catalyst for things to happen, whether that was residential or commercial development.”</p><div id="5h1OYzax8cduupU46IMTmu"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7zF3rL3jLzkvmgJLz8CQ7r/8b6565c14a88d87b086a18b6f22a0971/2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7zF3rL3jLzkvmgJLz8CQ7r/8b6565c14a88d87b086a18b6f22a0971/2.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ A decade on, the Southport PDA has delivered precious little.<br><br></span></div></div><p>Within 12 months of the PDA’s introduction, 29 development applications with a combined end value of at least $2 billion were filed with the Gold Coast City Council.</p><p>But few of the projects have been realised—and many of them likely never will be.</p><p>Instead of being a driving force for development, the PDA created the means for an opportunistic play to use the new planning instrument—and its unlimited building height—to gain maximised approvals for large-scale mixed-use developments and then capitalise on the uplift in property values by on-selling the sites.</p><p>“Some sites have traded, some haven’t … but realistically, no one has actually delivered on any of those DAs,” Moore says. “You can put like a gazillion apartments on some of them but no one’s ever probably going to build them.</p><p>“It was all about flicking them to someone else to deliver.”</p><p>Meanwhile, she says, land values have been pushed up so high—from $1000 or less per square metre pre-PDA to more than $2500 per square metre— that “it is no longer feasible to build an office building on land in Southport”.</p><p>The only major commercial addition has been Queen Street Village with some retail and medical space on the former Gold Coast Hospital site.</p><p>“Highest and best use is for residential at current land values … it’s not creating a commercial hub. It just doesn’t work,” Moore says.</p><p>In fact, the Southport CBD office market—now second in overall space to Robina-Varsity Lakes—has reduced in size by 12,352sq m since the PDA was declared, as older-style buildings have been removed from its stock.</p><p>Moore says, however, with most of its office assets more than 30 years old, Southport is the only precinct on the Gold Coast—one of the nation’s tightest office markets with 6.3 per cent vacancy—where there is potential for growth.</p><p>“But currently it just doesn’t make sense financially ... and a lot of&nbsp; those owners are not spending much money on their buildings because they see them as future development sites ”</p><p>As well, with a number of landowners sitting on large empty undeveloped sites throughout Southport, history is repeating itself on the Gold Coast. Down the road about 4km, abandoned so-called development “bomb sites” have been a blight on the Surfers Paradise landscape since the mid-1980s.</p><p>Rider Levett Bucknall Gold Coast director Jim Krebs says the other challenge with Southport is “trying to define exactly what that CBD looks like”.</p><p>“The Gold Coast has evolved from a more village-based scheme and it has continued to have fragmented areas of mixed use, commercial and residential.</p><p>“So, it's really about trying to find what that identity is and leveraging that combination of uses to help create a vibrancy,” Krebs says.</p><p>“The intent of creating a CBD is a challenge when you've got competing land interests. On the Gold Coast, residential generally still wins out as the highest and best use and it makes commercial harder to stack up.</p><div id="6PwMoxFVL04684DVqANmjd"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2Dh1zhdzMFNHYtCu7Cbq0a/53f8237546453b55992d4f40ec5be662/1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2Dh1zhdzMFNHYtCu7Cbq0a/53f8237546453b55992d4f40ec5be662/1.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The PDA may have had the opposite effect of its aims, says councillor Brooke Patterson.<br><br></span></div></div><p>“The Gold Coast has evolved from a more village-based scheme and it has continued to have fragmented areas of mixed use, commercial and residential.</p><p>“So, it's really about trying to find what that identity is and leveraging that combination of uses to help create a vibrancy,” Krebs says.</p><p>“The intent of creating a CBD is a challenge when you've got competing land interests. On the Gold Coast, residential generally still wins out as the highest and best use and it makes commercial harder to stack up.</p><p>“Certainly, Southport is a much stronger and more vibrant place than it was a decade ago. The PDA has probably enabled some projects to happen in a more streamlined way than would have otherwise been possible.</p><p>“But whether it has achieved the original intent that's probably questionable.”</p><p>Southport councillor Brooke Patterson says the PDA so far has failed to deliver on its promise.</p><p>“It’s devastating what has not happened in Southport during the past 10 years,” she says. “It’s a really extraordinary opportunity lost.</p><p>“In fact, [the PDA] has actually possibly done the opposite of what was intended … it incentivised landbanking.</p><p>“And government can take the blame for that as much as anyone. There was good intent but they hadn’t actually just worked through what needed to happen to incentivise the right kind of [development] behaviour.”</p><p>Patterson says her focus is now on the next 10 years with a review of the Southport PDA under way that will sharpen its ability to deliver on the original intent of creating “a dynamic and unique CBD with a high-quality urban environment”.</p><p>The revised PDA will be “much more rigorous and much tighter”, she says, with height limits potentially being reduced in some of its four precincts “so that it incentivises [development] behviour where we want it”.</p><p>Crucial to its success will be “gamechanger commitments” to key landholdings such as the long-dormant 1.5ha former Star of the Sea College site on Marine Parade. It was acquired in 2014 by Garuda GC—the Australian arm of China’s Huixin Real Estate Group—which had plans for a multi-tower residential and retail project.</p><p>“Those sites need to change hands and for someone to come and make a real commitment to do something quite spectacular,” Patterson says.</p><p>Emerging as a beacon of hope for the rise of the Southport CBD is the ambitious $400-million Park Lane “vertical neighbourhood” comprising two slender supertowers—a 100-storey apartment building and a 60-storey office building.</p><p>It is earmarked for a vacant 1245sq m site next to the Southport bowls and tennis clubs, and would deliver 193 apartments to be home to 580 people and 12,693sq m of office space to accommodate 500 workers.</p><div id="7eTVa9hkbr9bRs71tfovmO"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1SAKYcu0Q0EVWRqyDQoYLk/99cfada6938c876bd44f20156a5fb537/7.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1SAKYcu0Q0EVWRqyDQoYLk/99cfada6938c876bd44f20156a5fb537/7.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Renders of the proposed Park Lane development that includes a 100-storey super-tower.<br><br></span></div></div><p>Last week, the developers behind the proposal—a Melbourne consortium, including property group Baracon and funds manager Payton Group—were on the Gold Coast indicating they are pushing ahead with their plans after an access issue relating to adjoining state-owned land was resolved.</p><p>“They are committed,”&nbsp; Patterson says. “They’ve got the money and they are serious.</p><p>“And because it’s a very sensitive build—it’ll be a huge tower on a tiny block and something the Gold Coast really hasn’t seen before—they’ve just had so many issues to get to the starting line.</p><p>“The biggest hurdle for them now is will they get the tick from the council.</p><p>“But once people see a group like that come in and commit, it just shifts the way everybody sees the Southport CBD ... one or two of those and it’s going to be an a-ha moment.”</p><p>As well, Patterson says, the touted future relocation and centralisation of the Gold Coast City Council Chambers from Bundall to the Southport CBD is also still on the table.</p><p>By the end of 2024, a recommendation on the long-term strategic plan for staff accommodation will be brought before the council. The redevelopment of the Mal Burke Carpark, opposite the Southport Courthouse, into a local “tower of power” is one of the favoured options.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve got 4000 staff, so that will be another gamechanger for Southport,” she says.<br></p><div id="4XqWkVYvZgZA0Mo7d7xge"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1fATfCU2eWZnyOTwo50Ytu/3b42c0dfe5c3bc4f8f9d58d98c877796/6.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1fATfCU2eWZnyOTwo50Ytu/3b42c0dfe5c3bc4f8f9d58d98c877796/6.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Meriton Sundale at Southport—one of the few major projects during the time of the PDA.<br><br></span></div></div><p>Southport development and business identity John Howe agrees.</p><p>And he adds despite the challenge of “swathes” of land in Southport being under private ownership and controlled by overseas interests, there are also “massive amounts of government and council land, which could be utilised for the big flavours of the month—build-to-rent and student accommodation”.</p><p>“What it needs is for the council and the state government to get together, consolidate their sites and put together a big masterplan for the area,” says Howe, who heads up engineering advisory and project delivery firm iEDM.</p><p>&nbsp;“And the bones of that have started now with the review of the PDA.</p><p>“But we just need to focus on putting some economic drivers into the area.</p><p>“The Southport PDA was a great idea ... but the PDA we got wasn’t the PDA we wanted. It morphed into a planning instrument, which wasn’t required for Southport as you can basically build whatever density you want to and you always have been able to.</p><p>“So the PDA that’s required needs more of an economic development impetus to spur development on … not just getting approvals through quickly. Developers want surety and they want to know the proper economic outcomes to develop a property.”</p><p>Nonetheless, Howe says even with its faults, the original PDA declared back on October 4, 2013 was “not a negative”.</p><p>“Yeah, people have got some pretty wild plans going for big buildings and things like that …</p><p>“But, I mean, you’ve got unlimited height, unlimited density, you’ve got a light rail system, you’re next to hospitals, next to major schools and next to the water. Come on, it’s not hard really when you think about it.”<br><br></p><hr><p><strong><br>You are currently experiencing <em>The Urban Developer</em> Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. </strong><a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans"><strong>Click here to learn more.</strong></a></p><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

A decade after it was identified as a Priority Development Area, Southport hasn’t hit the heights predicted. That may be about to change…

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<p>The long-awaited next piece in developer Anthony John Group’s East Village mixed-use precinct puzzle has been revealed.</p><p>Under plans lodged with the Brisbane City Council, a 10-level CBD-grade office tower is proposed as part of the urban regeneration of the former CSIRO site at Cannon Hill.</p><p>The Blight Rayner-designed scheme would comprise a gross floor area of 10,264sq m, including seven levels of office space as well as a ground-floor lobby, plaza entrance and a food and beverage tenancy.</p><p>It would also provide 171 carparking spaces across three basement levels and end-of-trip facilities with storage for 71 bikes.</p><p>“The proposed development has been architecturally designed, taking advantage of the visual prominence of the subject site and strategic vista position along the transport corridor of Wynnum Road, exhibiting a range of high-quality design elements,” a town planning report supporting the proposal said.</p><p>It added that the development had been “sympathetically designed to embrace the subtropical climate of Brisbane and contribute to a more-diverse land-use mix within the Cannon Hill locality”.</p><p>The proposal is earmarked for a 2612sq m parcel at 1026 and 1068 Wynnum Road and referred to as stage 1A of the broader urban village development spanning a 5.5ha holding, which was initially touted as a $600-million project when construction began onsite in 2012.</p><p>Strategically positioned opposite the Cannon Hill Shopping Centre and close to the Cannon Hill train station, the East Village precinct is about 6.5km east of the Brisbane CBD.</p><p>“The proposed development will significantly contribute to the extensive regeneration of the East Village precinct, recognising itself as a strategic urban centre,” the report by Place Design Group said.</p><p>It noted the proposal would exceed the site’s seven-storey height limit under the River Gateway Neighbourhood Plan but was “consistent with the anticipated density for the Cannon Hill area, which is expected to increase in light of the coming 2032 Olympic Games”.</p><div id="4RYVPIFzCHnhCkiBPUuLf9"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6OltxDDUeL5gslwzahqBq4/8d8be713ca2f8a4cc8df15053ab5bd25/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-15T150338.041.jpg" alt="Render of Anthony John Group's proposed East Village office tower." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6OltxDDUeL5gslwzahqBq4/8d8be713ca2f8a4cc8df15053ab5bd25/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-15T150338.041.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ A render of Anthony John Group's proposed East Village office tower. </span></div></div><p>The report also said the site was identified as a planned growth node within the strategic framework of the City Plan and the development would “appropriately respond to the prominent location of the site, supporting Brisbane’s suburban growth”.</p><p>It deemed the proposal reflected “a highly and improved land use outcome for the subject site”.</p><p>“The high-quality design of the proposed development significantly contributes to the distinction of the Cannon Hill centre and will support the needs of the surrounding residential areas of Brisbane,” the report concluded.</p><p>Brisbane-based Anthony John Group’s development portfolio includes several other urban renewal precincts such as The Emporium at Fortitude Valley, Southpoint at South Brisbane and Rosalie Village in the city’s inner-west.</p><p>Completed projects within its East Village mixed-use precinct have included 105 townhouses and 98 apartments with a number of stages still to be undertaken.</p>

The next piece in the Anthony John Group’s mixed-use precinct development puzzle in the River City’s suburban fringe has been revealed…

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<p>A boutique cafe-top residential development has been given the nod to rise from one the Gold Coast’s most popular beachside eateries and coffee pitstops.</p><p>It is earmarked for a 809sq m site that has been the longstanding home of health cafe BSKT, at the corner of Albatross Avenue and Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach.</p><p>The cafe was founded in 2013 by former Gold Coast Titans rugby league players Greg Bird, Nate Myles, Selasi Berdie and Mat Rogers.</p><p>In the planned redevelopment approved by the Gold Coast City Council the cafe will share the ground level with a three-bedroom apartment.</p><p>Another four three-bedroom apartments—two per floor—will occupy levels one and two.&nbsp;</p><p>Bayley Property Group, led by local developer and landlord Ron Bayley, is behind the project, which will replace an existing two-level commercial building.</p><p>The scheme designed by BDA Architects is capped by a two-level, four-bedroom penthouse—including a private rooftop with a pool, sundeck, sunken terrace and barbecue area with dining as well as lounge seating.</p><p>“The proposed development will deliver an exemplary boutique style apartment building with an integrated cafe,” the planning report supporting the project said.</p><p>“The design and appearance of the proposed development delivers a positive addition to the prestigious character and quality of the Mermaid Beach neighbourhood.”</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-14T134233.849.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7jQFuFbSW2IF8vu5NjK1Tk/5b1dadb7705249dfe545496d083456a1/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T134233.849.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7jQFuFbSW2IF8vu5NjK1Tk/5b1dadb7705249dfe545496d083456a1/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T134233.849.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-14T135546.405.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1YN3f2wb9Jih3X8gK8YpJ4/5296928eaf49b20f58d3fc4fc2239d99/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T135546.405.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1YN3f2wb9Jih3X8gK8YpJ4/5296928eaf49b20f58d3fc4fc2239d99/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T135546.405.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-14T135622.656.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7oj9Mstc9Lq0aSr4q8ICc9/63c83de7b531465529973c63a8be2376/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T135622.656.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7oj9Mstc9Lq0aSr4q8ICc9/63c83de7b531465529973c63a8be2376/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-14T135622.656.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>The application also noted the development “responds positively to the applicable provisions of the South East Queensland Regional Plan, delivering housing growth in the form of a ‘missing middle’ typology within a well-serviced urban neighbourhood of the city”.</p><p>Overall, the report said, the proposal would deliver “a residential building of a contemporary, minimalist coastal form and character” with clean sleek lines, fluted concrete and generous outdoor living spaces that create “a lightweight sense of built form presence in the streetscape”.</p><p>“The proposed development is of bespoke architectural design, adopting a modern form, which responds positively to the coastal location.”</p><p>A total of 18 basement carparking spaces would be accommodated within the development at 4 Lavarack Road.</p>

A boutique cafe-top residential development has been given the green light to rise from the site of a popular beachside eatery and coffee pitstop...

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<p>A sprawling eco-adventure development planned for the Gold Coast hinterland would transform pioneering farmland into a world-class, nature-based tourism attraction.</p><p>The proposal is earmarked for a 103ha site fronting Nerang-Murwillumbah Road in Numinbah Valley—about 40km south-west of Surfers Paradise.</p><p>To be known as Numinbah Escape, it would comprise outdoor sport and recreation uses including zip lining, mountain biking, canyoning, bushwalking, rock climbing, abseiling, public park and picnic areas.</p><p>Accommodation options would include 20 glamping tents, 19 “high-end” eco-cabins “to connect with nature in a comfortable and luxurious setting”, an eco-lodge for large groups such as school camps and corporate getaways and 34 caravan sites “orientated to capatlise on the scenic views”.</p><p>As well, the eco-adventure precinct would feature a cafe offering food and beverages made from locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients, a function/conference facility and training centre.</p><p>The application filed with the Gold Coast City Council by an entity linked to family-run eco-tourism business TreeTop Challenge, which acquired the site last year, said the development would have “minimal disturbance to the natural environment”.&nbsp;</p><p>“Numinbah Escape is aimed at a holistic at-one-with-nature approach where visitors can enjoy facilities over multiple days with overnight accommodation …[and] is a detour from the usual very high adrenaline offerings currently at other locations where users will be encouraged to slow down and enjoy the natural settings and be active outdoors,” it said.</p><p>According to the planning documents, the development would be staged across the site, which will continue to be a working cattle farm in conjunction with the proposed eco-tourism uses.</p><p>The development proposes one-storey buildings and structures with a site cover of only 0.24 per cent to “protect the site’s landscape, scenic and natural amenity”.</p><p>Dating back to the 1930s, the site was first settled and established as a banana plantation and over the ensuing years has also been used for logging, mining and other agricultural purposes. Rock quarried from the property was used to build the Southport Seaway in the 1980s.</p><div id="carousel-root" data-reactroot=""><image-carousel-remove-button><div class="rm-carousel-wrapper"><button id="rm-carousel" class="rm-carousel-btn">Delete</button></div></image-carousel-remove-button><div class="slider-wrap"><image-carousel><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T164839.827.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1Y0eUWtp3XjeCBJC1UAu2t/6c85286f150f5af66285f802cd944cde/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164839.827.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1Y0eUWtp3XjeCBJC1UAu2t/6c85286f150f5af66285f802cd944cde/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164839.827.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T164036.308.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F8a1WuQwKFaoNcRSW1vg0/48886774ecde0b1f7ca65608ac6e4eae/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164036.308.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/F8a1WuQwKFaoNcRSW1vg0/48886774ecde0b1f7ca65608ac6e4eae/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164036.308.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T164131.356.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7vwLr0pZFemX40pDPBFyZC/7af858530d8c5d65b7e3cb972d3aa0e8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164131.356.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7vwLr0pZFemX40pDPBFyZC/7af858530d8c5d65b7e3cb972d3aa0e8/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164131.356.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T163935.437.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/K6NijHMpZR2dXvt8fseZ2/1b8bd6a414ec0d878846cbfa5f6ab393/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T163935.437.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/K6NijHMpZR2dXvt8fseZ2/1b8bd6a414ec0d878846cbfa5f6ab393/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T163935.437.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T164103.649.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5wVbve2iAqoaXCaOsmbHNT/9a70e8b433574c4f08434056a2c55291/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164103.649.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5wVbve2iAqoaXCaOsmbHNT/9a70e8b433574c4f08434056a2c55291/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164103.649.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T163954.887.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/184CCuC1zO0VIyo06qMuIL/264215a705bf667d36114a96192304f2/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T163954.887.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/184CCuC1zO0VIyo06qMuIL/264215a705bf667d36114a96192304f2/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T163954.887.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div><div class="slider-el"><img style="height: 100%;" title="Untitled design - 2023-09-13T164015.758.jpg" src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7LFeNP3WYQfH0HfWPlH2FH/31faeff1d5fdfc0aa896e7d92ba68da5/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164015.758.jpg" data-mce-src="http://images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7LFeNP3WYQfH0HfWPlH2FH/31faeff1d5fdfc0aa896e7d92ba68da5/Untitled_design_-_2023-09-13T164015.758.jpg" data-mce-style="height: 100%;"></div></image-carousel></div></div><p><br>Rehabilitation of the natural landscape on the “historically very degraded” site would be undertaken as part of the proposed development.</p><p>“The proposal has aimed in all aspects to enhance the natural beauty and retain scenic and social amenity … [ensuring] natural resources on site are sustainably managed for current and future generations,” the submitted documents said.</p><p>Numinbah Escape also would “provide direct economic benefit to the Gold Coast and Queensland via visitors to the attraction as well as local employment and supply chain flow on effects”.</p><p>It was anticipated the proposed development would generate 40 to 50 equivalent full time jobs within 2 to 3 years of its establishment and up to an additional 6778 visitors in the area.</p><p>Another key feature of the proposal was the opportunity for it to used as an accredited registered training facility for outdoor sport, recreation and environmental tourism. Currently staff in the industry must travel interstate to receive on-site training.&nbsp;</p><p>“Having this facility on-site and somewhat ancillary to the nature-based tourism and outdoor sport and recreation uses is a huge benefit to the local economy and eco-adventure tourism industry for the Gold Coast as well as wider Queensland,” the application said.</p>

The sprawling tourism development at Numinbah would transform pioneering farming land into a world-class nature-based attraction…

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<p>One of the Gold Coast’s few remaining greenfield development precincts has been unlocked as the big squeeze continues within the fast-growing glitter strip’s constrained urban growth boundaries.</p><p>Developer HB Land has been given the nod by the Gold Coast City Council for a 196-lot residential subdivision at Upper Coomera in the city’s north.</p><p>It is earmarked for an amalgamation of five rural properties spanning a combined 18.85ha acquired in December 2021 from Gallery Group by the subsidiary of Singapore-based Ho Bee Land.</p><p>The initial development application was lodged several years ago and remained in limbo pending city plan amendments being endorsed by the Queensland government.</p><p>Led by the council, the precinct was identified as an urban release area more than a decade ago, and rezoning of the land from rural to residential was undertaken.</p><p>“This is the first DA to be approved in the Courtney Drive precinct, which ultimately should yield approximately 700 dwellings,” HB Land national development director Peter Johnson said.</p><p>“We believe it’s a rare opportunity because there won’t be that many more behind it down the track or anytime soon.&nbsp;</p><p>“Greenfield land is dwindling … [and] demand is just massively outstripping supply and has been for a while and will do for the foreseeable future.</p><p>“So we’re expecting reasonably strong uptake when we come to launch the project later this year.”</p><p>According to a recently released industry-led report entitled Gold Coast Dwelling Supply Study, under its existing urban footprint the city was forecast to run out of developable land in just over a decade.</p><p>The analysis was prepared by Zone Planning Group, BIOME Consulting, Matusik Property Insights and Zone Landscape Architecture.</p><p>It indicated, based on the application of current planning controls, the Gold Coast’s few remaining greenfield sites could only viably deliver an additional 17,564 homes by 2041—well short of the benchmark of 19,212 homes set in the draft SEQ Regional Plan.</p><p>But property analyst Michael Matusik warned only about half of the report’s estimate, or 10,542 homes, had a “high chance of being developed”.</p><div id="3WpOfzDAEJvHdebxluHkVg"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1cSCtdePb5W9bOW5MiCsy8/33e869ebd07429a37b54629bb41d368c/Untitled__800___900px___800___600px___800___750px___800___900px___800___450px___800___950px___800___925px___800___900px___80.jpg" alt="The approved 196-lot residential subdivision at Courtney Drive, Upper Coomera." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1cSCtdePb5W9bOW5MiCsy8/33e869ebd07429a37b54629bb41d368c/Untitled__800___900px___800___600px___800___750px___800___900px___800___450px___800___950px___800___925px___800___900px___80.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The approved 196-lot residential subdivision at Courtney Drive, Upper Coomera.<br><br></span></div></div><p>“Based on that forecast, the Gold Coast expansion area provides just 10.5 years of dwelling supply based on historical demand,” he said.</p><p>Matusik said further analysis showed the situation was even more dire for the Gold Coast’s low-density housing supply.</p><p>Of the dwellings with a high chance of being developed by 2041, it was estimated the existing expansion area was likely to yield 4808 house-and-land products and 5734 high-density dwellings.</p><p>“Based on these high-chance figures and the annual average dwelling demand for new housing stock over the past 10 years, the Gold Coast expansion area provides approximately 6.3 years of supply,” he said.</p><p>“Significantly, with the increased demand for detached housing stock, those of 25 dwellings per hectare or less, there is less than four years of supply of land remaining within the Gold Coast expansion area.”</p><p>Overall, Coomera would provide the majority (44 per cent) of the city’s dwelling supply, the study found.&nbsp;</p><p>HB Land’s Peter Johnson said dirt would be turned on the 60-lot first stage of its Upper Coomera subdivision in the Courtney Drive precinct later this year, with a view to the first titles being in place by the third quarter of 2024.</p><p>Lot sizes would range from 400sq m to 1300sq m and the plans also included 4627sq m of public parkland and the rehabilitation of 2.69ha of environmental reserve.</p><p>“It’s incredibly well positioned,” Johnson said. “It has got all the existing schools, amenities, employment and green spaces around it and it's in the northern Gold Coast, which is quite a tightly held area. So we’re expecting a lot of upgraders from surrounding areas.”</p>

One of the Gold Coast’s few remaining greenfield development precincts has been unlocked as the glitter strip’s big squeeze continues …

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<p>No question Charlie Buxton is making a pretty good fist of things.</p><p>Almost a decade deep into running Melbourne-based Cadence Property Group, his development and investment firm has transacted more than $1.54 billion of deals, controls $500 million of assets under management and has a landbank with a potential end value of about $2 billion.</p><p>Quite impressive for a bloke still under 40.</p><p>Not only that, he has also managed to negotiate a path beyond the sizeable shadows of his father and uncle, Victorian property identities Andrew and Michael Buxton—the fifth generation property developers who head up the powerhouse MAB Corporation, a pioneer of Melbourne’s Docklands precinct.</p><p>And therein lies the rub—or, perhaps, more of a mild annoyance.</p><p>Invariably, articles—yes, like this one—still refer to his high-profile property pedigree as a fortunate son or scion of one of Australia’s most successful real estate clans.</p><h2>What’s in a name?</h2><p><br>“Yeah, look, absolutely I find it incredibly frustrating,” he says.</p><p>However, he quickly adds it is “not a big thing” or something he dwells on for too long.</p><p>“It’s about eyeballs and that attracts more eyeballs and I get it.”</p><p>Buxton is also by no means insensitive to the very good hand he has been dealt and the head start it has given him with Cadence, which he started in 2014 at the age of 26.</p><div id="6sL1aJFa0SmGbQAtrTfC1G"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4qCMCLslAW9W5VP5LB7pbs/9a5e69ac6bebd58bf8e5c56eea03e7bc/Cadence_MID1.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4qCMCLslAW9W5VP5LB7pbs/9a5e69ac6bebd58bf8e5c56eea03e7bc/Cadence_MID1.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Spotswood Sheds are currently under construction in Victoria.</span></div><div><br></div><div><p>“The ability to leverage knowledge from the greater family has been invaluable for sure. I have a massive advantage through all that ... and it would be insincere to suggest that is not a head start,” he says.</p><p>“So, really it’s all fine. They’re running a business. I’m running a business. We do things together. The family invests in a lot of deals we do. I wouldn’t say it has been an issue in the slightest.</p><p>“But I’ll let you know when they write an article about me without mentioning my dad or my uncle … we’re not quite there,” he muses.</p><h2>Future focus for Cadence</h2><p><br>Gearing up for future growth opportunities, Cadence has recently undergone a restructure “to sharpen operational efficiency and to establish a robust foundation” for the journey ahead.</p><p>The ambitious five-year goal is to continue growth within the development business and target $5 billion worth of assets under management.</p><p>Buxton has moved from his long-held role of managing director to chief executive officer to lead the charge for Cadence, particularly in the areas of transactions and capital raising.</p><p>“We’re almost 10 years into running the business and it has got to a certain size where we want to put a little more formality into our hierarchy,” he says. “And what that will allow me to do is just focus on the areas that I think I can add more value to.”</p><p>He says he started the business with “fairly modest ambitions … just doing some things and seeing what happens without saying this is where I want to be in 10 years”.</p><p>“But I’d say that the development side of the business is probably bigger than maybe where where we had initially thought and that maybe the funds management part of our business has been slower to grow and scale.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-mce-style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br></p><div id="6sL1aJFa0SmGbQAtrTfC1G"></div></div></div><div id="6Io7WFPy6qFtiFQhP3jC4x"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/UdCNBlMf05zASJHyMBNYm/fb58ac4bb9b2cb1f88c0e409e70ae334/Cadence_MID2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/UdCNBlMf05zASJHyMBNYm/fb58ac4bb9b2cb1f88c0e409e70ae334/Cadence_MID2.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ The sixth generation developer has a growing portfolio of owned, managed and developed industrial projects with more in the pipeline.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><p>Cadence’s management shuffle follows another milestone for the company—the successful $55-million capital raise for its first multi-asset value-add fund, the Cadence Australian Real Estate Partnership I (CAREP I)—surpassing its initial $50-million target.</p><p>It comes off the back of 14 single-asset value-add real estate investments, acquired alongside its partners for about $200 million since 2015. Of those investments, it has successfully exited five assets, generating an average net annual return on equity of 55.4 per cent.</p><p>Core plus, value-add, build-to-sell and build-to-hold are currently the four main strategic focuses within the business.</p><h2>Risk and opportunities in current market</h2><p><br>“We run a number of strategies across a number of sectors which to a degree sit in various risk buckets,” Buxton says. “We set shorter and longer-term goals within those buckets and all of them represent growth.”</p><p>He says although industrial will remain a major focus for the business “we’re not pure play”.</p><p>“We don’t want to just do that. But nor do we want to be fully diversified.</p></div><div><br></div><div><hr></div></div><p><strong><em><br>The Urban Developer</em> Industrial Development vSummit will take place on Thursday, September 28.&nbsp;</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;" data-mce-style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/4bba1b94-b195-48e2-8a51-12b51636639b/summary?RefId=General%20Admission%20%7C%20Editorial&amp;rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ" data-mce-href="https://web.cvent.com/event/4bba1b94-b195-48e2-8a51-12b51636639b/summary?RefId=General%20Admission%20%7C%20Editorial&amp;rt=X_aufiJPxEeHOTaMYZfoiQ">Click here to register and learn more</a></strong><br><strong><br></strong></p><hr><div><p><br></p><p>“To date, a key focus area for us has been industrial and logistics. We’ve built some fairly unique capability and a really strong track record there.&nbsp;</p><p>“And while we expect that to continue to be the biggest part of our business, over time we want to have a few other focus areas and build up similar capability and track record there.</p><p>“It<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;" data-mce-style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;">’</span>s about finding opportunities that we think we can buy well … [and] it<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;" data-mce-style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;">’</span>s about finding the right level of risk. We need to take on a bit of risk in that strategy to get our return profile.</p><p>Buxton still recalls the thrill of his first deal and the delivery Cadence’s debut development—optioning up a site in Melbourne’s south-west, entering into a pre-lease for a logistics facility and pre-selling the asset to a Sydney fund manager.</p><p>“The asset was worth about $10 million, which at the time felt very big … we delivered it conventionally with debt and equity, upon completion they settled, we made a profit and that was it—off to the races.”</p><p>Since then, there have been several key deals that have been what he calls “step changes” for the business.</p><p>“Going from a $10 million dollar deal like that to a $50 million deal to $100 million deal to a $300 million deal … each time you do that things change because the business gets bigger, the scale gets bigger and the complexity gets different.</p><p>“Along that journey, there have been a number of step changes on the development side that have sort of jumped us into the next bracket …taking us from that first asset we did in 2014 to more recently large-scale built form projects of 40,000 to 60,000 square metres under roof.</p><p>“On the investment side, we started off doing single asset syndicates with private capital in that value-add strategy as a way to get into the space … to more recently raising a co-mingled drawdown fund which is CAREP I.</p><p>“And if we’re successful continuing that strategy, particularly through that style of vehicle, it certainly will put the business in a different bracket again.</p></div><div id="7Cvmy7Q6llr0TZmF3ZzKfb"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2uxvH4gDm8ntdAnNwE0slS/f4ad68422fd8d9f5a409e28a210255de/5.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2uxvH4gDm8ntdAnNwE0slS/f4ad68422fd8d9f5a409e28a210255de/5.jpg"></picture><div><span style="opacity: 0.8;" data-mce-style="opacity: 0.8;">▲ Infill industrial is a hotly contested asset class across the eastern seaboard as industrial vacancy rates remain at record lows.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><p>“Things are definitely getting more interesting at the moment.</p><p>“The ability to acquire real estate at attractive valuations has traditionally been heightened in periods of uncertainty, following dramatic economic shocks and generally in environments that promote unique situational buying opportunities.</p><p>“In terms of where we sit, we can do commercial, industrial and retail in that vehicle … we have some overall views of the various markets but we’ll look at all deals on their merits and try to find an opportunity.</p><p>“But it’s really good to have a dedicated multi-asset vehicle like that at the moment because for the right things we can move quickly.”</p></div><div id="7Cvmy7Q6llr0TZmF3ZzKfb"></div><p>Passion for property has been a driving force for the business success of the Buxton dynasty, dating back to 1860 when W.P. Buckhurst and J.R. Buxton established one of Melbourne<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;" data-mce-style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;">’</span>s first real estate agencies.</p><h2>The property bug&nbsp;</h2><p><br>But according to Buxton—who studied business at Swinburne University—although he remembers being “always around” property development, tagging along with his dad to Docklands and various industrial estates, there was never a line drawn in the sand.</p><p>“I<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;" data-mce-style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; white-space-collapse: preserve;">’</span>ve just done this because I find it interesting. I enjoy it. I enjoy the people I work with. I find it challenging. And if you do it well it can be really rewarding financially as well. So it was never about proving anything for me.</p><p>“I’ve always had an interest in business in general and various forms of investment.”</p><p>However, Buxton admits property development was not something that particularly appealed to him off the bat—that is, not until the penny dropped when he started working on-and-off informally at MAB Corp while studying at university.</p><p>“Looking at spreadsheets and starting to understand development and that if I do x, y and z I can create value, control that and scale it. That was really exciting for me and that’s when I sort of got the bug.”</p></div></div><div><br></div></div><hr><p><strong><br>You are currently experiencing <em>The Urban Developer</em> Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. </strong><a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans"><strong>Click here to learn more.</strong></a></p><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

There’s no doubting Charlie Buxton’s property pedigree. But the sixth generation developer is carving his own path with $1.5 billion in deals behind him…