Caloundra apartment precinct at Bulcock St granted approval

A two-tower apartment precinct and boutique laneway has been given the green light with the project tipped to transform the entrance to the Caloundra CBD.

A $110m high-end apartment and retail precinct has been given the green light with the development touted to transform the Caloundra CBD.

Henzell Property Group’s plans for Verre Caloundra lifestyle precinct received Sunshine Coast Council approval last month.

The project would feature 70 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses over two nine-storey towers above a boutique laneway precinct with a cafe, restaurant and medical offices.

Sunshine Coast firm O.G.E Group Architects designed the precinct with the aim to create a “grand entrance statement” to Bulcock St.

Henzell Property Group managing director Mclean Henzell said the company was excited to get the green light for the “unique arrival experience” for Caloundra.

“We believe Verre will set a new benchmark for urban living for the southern Sunshine Coast,’’ he said.

“Through the ground level laneway precinct with scope for a signature restaurant and one other commercial tenancy, we aim to create a positive attraction for all of Caloundra.”

Henzell Property Group will tender for construction in June with a view to start construction in October.

Sales director Marcus Muir said there was 410 people — the majority from the Sunshine Coast — on a waiting list for the 70 apartments who would be notified of sale details from this month.

Any remaining apartments would be listed on the market from August.

Mr Muir said prices would start at about $895,000 for two-bedroom apartments and go up to $3.5m for the penthouses.

“The Henzell family is big on looking after as many owner occupiers locally first,” Mr Muir said.

“The whole building is designed for owner occupiers, with big floor plans and balconies, butler’s pantries and second living areas.”

He said they also limited amenities to a resort pool, opting against saunas and steam rooms in a bid to reduce body corporate rates and limit the interest in the apartments being used for short-stay accommodation.

It was approved for a single one-bedroom apartment, 27 two-bedroom and 42 three-bedroom, over the two towers at a maximum of 30m in height.

“A lot of our buyers are living in Shelly Beach, Pelican Waters or Golden Beach and looking to transition from a house to a unit,” Mr Muir said.

Prices for two-bedroom apartments at Verre Caloundra will start at $895,000.

Mr Muir said they would also advertise the cafe and restaurant tenancies which the company hoped would help “revitalise” Bulcock St.

“In comparison to who’s operating now, what we’re looking for would be like what Tony Kelly is doing in Maroochydore (with Giddy Geisha and Market Bistro),” Mr Muir said.

“We want beautiful service and food but still want people to be comfortable getting their scrambled eggs for breakfast and a beer in the afternoon.”

On June 20 the company will open tenders for construction contracts.

The project was originally going to be built in stages but Mr Muir said it would now be built in one stage over 18 to 20 months.

Renders showing Verre Caloundra as designed by O.G.E Group Architects.

Construction is hoped to start later this year with an opening date of mid-2024.

Sunshine Coast Council divisional councillor Terry Landsberg said it was exciting to see significant investment into the Caloundra CBD.

“Caloundra has been in a state of change and it’s great to see that level of investment on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

He hoped the development would celebrate the natural beauty of Caloundra.

It was one of several major projects around Caloundra with construction also expected to start this year on the $250m Paloma Paloma development at Bulcock St.

The block adjacent to Verre Caloundra sold to a Melbourne investment firm for $5.35m in 2020 but it remains unclear what its plans were.