Architect behind proposed Spit development says it can be country best multi-use environmental project

THE architect behind a proposed $3 billion resort for The Spit says it has the potential to become the nation’s “best multi-use environmental project”.

This is the new artist’s impression released exclusively to the Bulletin showing the waterfront promenade, tiered gardens, beaches, and waterfalls of the proposed development.

THE architect behind a proposed $3 billion resort for The Spit says it has the potential to become the nation’s “best multi-use environmental project”.

Gold Coast-based designer Michael Rayner spent more than 18 months creating the concept design of ASF Consortium’s five-tower project, earmarked for an unused 5ha site just south of Sea World.

The experienced architect, whose previous designs include Ferry Road Markets, Griffith University’s Health Centre and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at Southport, says the controversial development was inspired by “global cities” such as Boston, New York and Chicago.

Michael Rayner.

The casino and integrated resort project has proven controversial with environmentalists and locals who have expressed concerns about traffic and the project’s size — significantly above the area’s three-storey height limit.

But Mr Rayner said it was about “capturing the Gold Coast’s spirit and character to create a place of pleasure” rather than simply putting more towers into the city.

“The area has a three-storey limit at the moment but the way I looked at it was that both Surfers Paradise and Main Beach have larger buildings coming in and this will taper down from 45 to 20 storeys as we continue the city’s edge and I do not see anything wrong with that,” he said.

“It would only be wrong if the buildings were incredibly crowded but with this site there is a lot of breathing space in there.”

He said the buildings, far from being damaging to the environment, would be tailored to be more sustainable that other major developments.

“The idea of rooftop gardens as public space in the design will also help give thermal energy support to the buildings below,” he said.

Artist’s impression of Gold Coast Integrated Resort with proposed hotel, casino resort development.

“There will be plenty of environmentally friendly aspects to this including solar energy, recycled water from the towers being used in the gardens and could be the best mutli-use environmental project in this country as we develop it.”

Another environmental benefit, he said, was the project would require a single energy plant to run the towers rather than one for each individual building.

ASF unveiled its latest project in mid-December, more than 18 months after its $7 billion Wavebreak Island project was shelved.

Artist’s impression of Gold Coast Integrated Resort with proposed hotel, casino resort development.

The integrated resort will be the subject of community consultation set to begin as early as next month before a detailed submission is set to the State Government midyear.

Community groups have vowed to fight it.

Among the features of the project would be five towers, a 7200sq m public piazza featuring multiple major restaurants and conference facilities overlooking the Broadwater, as well as a 1200-seat amphitheatre and canopy.

Artist’s impression of Gold Coast Integrated Resort with proposed hotel, casino resort development.

It will also feature two public beaches and a large-scale waterfall.

Mr Rayner, of Blight Rayner, was previously involved in designing the Wavebreak Island development, said the area was designed to host on-water opera and other major drawcard events, similar to those hosted on Sydney Harbour by that city’s famous opera house.

ASF director Louis Chien. Photo: David Clark

“The Sydney Opera House holds outdoor water-based opera and these draw massive numbers of people to the city so we can create a place for these outdoor events here,” he said.

“We could really benefit from having outdoor space to enjoy these events as a holiday destination.

“It is about being a drawcard attraction as well as continuing with things we already do here on the coast including fishing, boating and lying on the beach.”