Gold Coast development: First look at West St Burleigh Heads boutique tower

A striking boutique mini-tower has been proposed for a landmark Burleigh site that developers admit has more to it than meets the eye. FULL DETAILS

A pair of central Burleigh Heads houses are set to be redeveloped into a boutique mini-tower which is pitching itself as “the new local”.

The seven-storey building, which unusually appears as four storeys externally, is earmarked for a site on West St fronting onto the busy James St precinct.

Neighbouring the Christian Science Church it will have both residential and commercial sections and is describing itself as a “bespoke haunt for the Burleigh local”.

A report lodged by the project’s builder, West Street Developments, says it will have just eight units which will overlook the central Burleigh precinct.

Artist impression of a proposed mixed-use building planned for West Street, Burleigh Heads. Picture: Supplied

“The development has been creatively designed to only appear as four storeys when viewed from the public domain due to internal mezzanine levels and double ceiling height living areas being proposed to provide for the additional floor area in each unit,” it reads.

“The subject site is unique in terms of its immediate proximity to the Burleigh Heads District Centre and the soon to be completed Gold Coast light rail Stage 3, but also due to its triangular shape adjacent to a major intersection resulting in minimal potential for adverse amenity impacts.

The existing houses at 1-3 West Street, Burleigh Heads, which are set to be redeveloped. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

“The area has been subject to numerous high density and medium rise approvals that are under construction or yet to be constructed and are reflective of the emerging higher density residential character that is being established in the Burleigh Heads locality, albeit to the east of the Gold Coast Highway.”

Plans reveal the complex will have three retail tenancies on its ground level, along with a garage which will have a pair of car lifts.

Location of the proposed development.

These tenancies are expected to include a 222 sqm cafe, a 222 sqm shop and a 153 sqm healthcare business.

The two existing houses, one of which is currently used as commercial office space, will be demolished to make way for the tower.

It will be the first attempt made to develop the site in recent decades.

Council officers have raised concerns about the height of the building, which exceeds the area’s four-storey limit.

Artist impression of a proposed mixed-use tower planned for West Street, Burleigh Heads. Picture: Supplied

However the developer is arguing that other buildings in the area have long since been built which are above that limit, including one on West St which is five storeys.

“The Applicant remains unmoved on the position that building height as a metric is measured in metres and not storeys,” its response reads.

“The approval at 13 West Street at five storeys and 13.5m is a clear example of height being

considered in the overall metres, despite exceeding the 50 per cent uplift provisions in terms of storeys.

The tower will replace two existing houses. Picture: Supplied

“It is extremely important to appreciate that while by definition the proposed development is seven storeys, the visual appearance and design of the building ensures that it is only perceived to the public domain as four storeys.

“This design outcome was heavily considered as part of the design conception process and ensures that a consistent approach to the approval at 13 West Street is maintained that despite where there is a technically noncompliance with the 50 per cent uplift in terms of storeys, the perceived scale of same is only considered at a compliant four-storey number.”

Originally published as Gold Coast development: First look at West St Burleigh Heads boutique tower