Cienna Varsity Ridge towers: Homecorp unit buildings secure green light from Gold Coast City Council
A pair of towers have been greenlit for the traffic-choked suburb of Varsity Lakes but while they’re going to be smaller than expected, there’s going to be far more residents. FIND OUT WHY
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Prolific developer Ron Bakir has secured a green light from the council to build two towers in the heart of Varsity Lakes.
The second stage of Homecorp’s Cienna Varsity Ridge towers, which will be 12 and 14 storeys respectively, will begin construction just after Christmas after negotiations to shrink the size.
Mr Bakir said, while the towers had been downsized from the 16 levels originally planned, the number of units would increase dramatically from 188 to 289.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the next phase of Cienna Varsity Ridge to life,” he said.
“This project represents a vital step in addressing the needs of our residents and enhancing the housing supply across the southern Gold Coast.
“We’ve listened to the feedback received and, in collaboration with the council, developed a proposal that truly reflects the community’s vision for the future.
“This is a fantastic outcome for local residents and together we’re creating something that truly fosters a greater sense of connection within our community.”
It comes more than a year after the 257-unit first stage of the project was completed in mid-2024.
The second stage will be built on a site fronting Varsity Lakes’ Main Street, neighbouring the first two towers.
Mr Bakir said “careful consideration of community and council feedback” had led to the changes and said it would “bring much-needed affordable housing to the Gold Coast’s booming property market”.
The number of carparks has also increased, with a further 44 added, including 25 for public use.
The project, which was first pitched in 2019, has had a tough road from the drawing board to reality.
It was slammed by then-area councillor Hermann Vorster, who claimed in 2019 it would cause a crisis in the suburb.
“I am deeply disappointed this high-profile site has been used for a near-endless supply of apartments,” he said at the time.
“The developers say they are meeting their carparking requirements but there is a stark difference between a textbook and reality.
“I hold grave fears that this residential development will push Varsity College into crisis – it is a school which does not have its own oval, where students are already atop one another and adding this many homes into the school’s catchment seems utterly mad.”
In 2022, building giant Condev Constructions, which was a partner in the project, collapsed into administration facing enormous debts.
It led Homecorp to become its own builder to ensure the half-completed towers were finished.
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Originally published as Cienna Varsity Ridge towers: Homecorp unit buildings secure green light from Gold Coast City Council
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