Surfers Paradise Jewel towers site upheaval as Yuhu Group redesigns

ONE CONTRACTOR on the Gold Coast’s $1 billion-plus beachfront Jewel towers has quit the site with his crew to work elsewhere - saying there is no clarity on what work to do.

A CONTRACTOR on the Gold Coast’s $1 billion-plus beachfront Jewel towers says he has redeployed his crew elsewhere because he lacks clarity on what work to do.

A lack of communication from developer and owner Yuhu Group about redesign plans for aspects of the triple towers prompted his departure, he said.

“I told my guys I was putting them elsewhere until I got 100 per cent clarification of what is happening.

JEWEL’S BEACH-EDGE DINING, POOLS PRECINCT

The Jewel project reached an important milestone in its construction in August with the three iconic towers - at 40, 46 and 34 storeys - topping out. Now uncertainty has hit staff and contractors at the site. Picture: Glenn Hampson

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JOBS AFTER JEWEL SACKINGS

“I don’t have 100 per cent clarification of what’s to be completed. I don’t want to be paying guys to work there until I have more clarification,” he said.

“If they are doing a redesign or if they are they unhappy with the work, they haven’t conveyed that. Communication from (lead site builder) Multiplex is pretty good. The developer (Yuhu) has been not made any effort.”

Yuhu Group, which took over the project earlier this year, yesterday revealed designs and configurations of lower podium levels of the hotel centrepiece were still being finalised, with retenders forecast.

A contractor has walked off the Jewel site with his staff to do guaranteed work elsewhere. Picture Glenn Hampson

JEWEL WORKERS FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE

A Yuhu Group spokesman said: “If there is an issue with communication then Yuhu Group is committed to work closely with Multiplex to improve communication if necessary.

“Having recently acquired the project, it is understandable Yuhu wants to make its own mark on it and changes will be made if they are considered necessary to deliver the best project possible.”

The redesign and retenders are not the first major change Yuhu Group have made since taking over the ambitious project.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY

How the towers will look once completed.

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

It has also reconfigured pricing on some apartments and back in May the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed proposed changes were mooted for hotel rooms, the day spa and convention centre.

Yuhu Group said Jewel remained on target for completion in mid-2019 “under major project partner Multiplex”.

The three towers, which recently topped out at 40, 46 and 34 storeys, feature 512 exclusive residences and a luxury hotel centrepiece.

A showcase ground-level precinct is to feature gardens, terraces, a pool network, dining and retail right up to the Surfers Paradise sand-edge.