Meet the team helping unveil The Star Gold Coast’s latest highrise Tower 2 at its Broadbeach island

They are the Star pair taking the Broadbeach entertainment paradise to a whole other level - literally. Read the full story

One started on reception in Sydney. The other spent two decades working for Gold Coast homegrown success story Mantra Group, acquired by Accor Pacific.

Now together at The Star Gold Coast, former Star Sydney receptionist Jess Sykes and former Accor Pacific asset management general manager are overseeing the pending delivery of the latest tower under construction on the Broadbeach island site.

It’s all part of Ms Skyes trajectory upwards within the entertainment giant since those early days on the front desk at Star Sydney’s Darling property.

From there, she worked her way up the ranks to a supervisor and assistant manaager before a travel stint overseas then working in real estate.

Then she was lured back to the Star Grand Sydney to be the front office manager during a giant transformation.

“After three years doing that role...the CEO apporached me and said there is a job on the Gold Coast - and the GM at time here, said I would like you to apply.”

Jess Sykes (left) and Jess Wilkie are overseeing the integration of the latest highrise tower at The Star Gold Coast site into the precinct. Picture: Glenn Campbell

She arrived on the Gold Coast three months later in 2020 on the day everything was shut down by Covid.

She lived in the Darling during lockdown and worked right through: “I don’t know how I did it, you keep going right.

“I was doing 15 hour days. You do it because you have to it, you are on a high, you are rolling with it. It wasn’t just Star, it was the entire world. It was a massive learning curve.”

After that she really cemented her role, looking after front of house, concierge, reception, day spa and retail.

“I learned everrything through Tower One (Doresett) about strata and (ex-CEO Jess Mellor) was a huge help so when strata two came on board, I was asked to be integration manager for tower two.”

Tower two of the Star Gold Coast $2 billion masterplan is nearing completion with Ms Sykes and Ms Wilkie part of the all-female team driving the island development.

Between them they are responsible for development and integration across the mixed-use towers, which also have residential apartments.

Ms Wilkie’s major focus of the tower integration covers systems, legal, people and asset management.

Jess Wilkie (right) says: “Star are uniquely positioned as a major player in accommodating large-scale events and the burgeoning movie production business.” Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We wear many hats, we are partners in the development, operators of The Star Gold Coast and Letting Agents and Caretakers of the residential towers,” Ms Wilkie said.

It is something she is well prepared for having overseen asset management rights of Accor Pacific’s 130 properties across Australia, NZ and Hawaii.

Ms Wilkie: “Star are uniquely positioned as a major player in accommodating large-scale events and the burgeoning movie production business.

“We have close to 900 lots across both tower one and tower two, with the Star Gold Coast already a preferred destination for conferences and business events.”

The growing tourism hub will have 3500 hotel rooms and apartments upon completion.”

The Star Gold Coast are sponsoring the People’s Choice category of the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman.

Originally published as Meet the team helping unveil The Star Gold Coast’s latest highrise Tower 2 at its Broadbeach island