Development: Sunland unveils new luxury 16-storey tower for Labrador’s KFC site

One of the Gold Coast’s leading developers has filed plans for a luxury high-rise on one the city’s most talked-about sites. And it’s not where you’d expect it to be.

THE Gold Coast developer behind the southern hemisphere’s tallest residential tower has cut in half the size of a highrise planned for a blue-chip site overlooking the Broadwater.

Sunland Group has dumped plans for a 35-storey tower on the former KFC site at Labrador in favour of a new project with an entirely different look.

Artist impression of the tower. Picture: Sunland Group

It now wants 180 Marine Parade to be a 16-storey residential tower and a series of four luxury two-storey, four-bedroom villas for a total of 85 units with 198 bedrooms.

A new development application has been filed with the Gold Coast City Council for the 4261sq m site, showing off the tower’s design.

The developer’s decision to build a smaller tower was made to reflect the owner-occupier market’s desire for larger units and a lower density.

Sunland managing director Sahba Abedian said the new vision for 180 Marine Parade was designed specifically for the owner-occupier market, combining leading architecture with outstanding amenity.

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The original artist impression of the site.

“Owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers, are seeking a lifestyle close to established amenity and natural beauty, without compromising on space, comfort and the convenience of large living areas, private entertaining spaces, and ample storage,” he said.

“A central feature of 180 Marine Parade is the unique facade design, which is inspired by the fluid movement of the tidal sandflats in the adjacent Broadwater.

“The curvilinear, undulating form of the eastern facade gently rises to a crest at the centre of the building, creating generous balconies and maximising view lines across the Broadwater and towards Southport and Surfers Paradise.”

The new-look tower Picture: Sunland Group

The project will be launched in the first half of 2019.

Its amenities include landscaped gardens, shared barbecue facilities, lounge, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and change rooms.

The tower is expected to go before the council’s planning committee mid-next year.

“The unique tower form design and landscaped road reserve area make a district and attractive entry statement to the Labrador locale upon approach from the south,” planning documents say.

“The grand staircase and terraced landscape entryway along Marine Parade create a visual link between the tower and the adjoining parkland.

The view across the Broadwater. Picture: Sunland Group

“The proposed villas along Frank Street draw attention to the human scale and help activate the popular street frontage by providing an improved visual landscape for pedestrians and promoting casual surveillance at all times.”

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Sunland founder Soheil Abedian with managing director Sahba Abedian. Photo by Richard Gosling

The tower’s orientation was chosen to create views of either the Broadwater or the Hinterland.

Under the original proposal, Sunland wanted to build a tower which had 217 apartments. It had already been approved by the council.

It is the second major announcement from the major developer in the past week.

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Artist impression of Sunland's Hedges Avenue tower 272 Hedges Ave

On Friday, the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed construction had begun on the company’s $250 million Hedges Ave tower in Mermaid Beach.

The 45-storey “flagship” project will overlook some of the Gold Coast’s most valuable property.

The first stage of work will create a basement and foundations over the next year before the skyscraper will rise from the ground in early 2020.

The first residents are expected to move in once the building is complete in 2022.