25-level tower planned by Ron Bakir’s Homecorp group next to Labrador Broadwater

A 25-level tower is planned to be built beside the Broadwater on the Gold Coast.

DEVELOPER Ron Bakir’s Homecorp group is planning a “pearler” of a tower beside the Broadwater at Labrador on land on which the Sunland Group never got out of the starting gates with any of four high-rise schemes it had approved over a decade.

Mr Bakir said the 25-level Perle would be capped by the best recreational roof area on the Gold Coast.

Ron Bakir’s Homecorp group is planning a “pearler” of a tower beside the Broadwater at Labrador. The 25-level Perle would be capped by the best recreational roof area on the Gold Coast.

He said he had secured a deal to buy a Sunland-owned site spanning 4264sq m on the corner of Marine Pde and Frank St.

It was intended to launch Perle in May, subject to planning permission.

Mr Bakir would not reveal the price being paid for the site, former home to a KFC outlet and a Holy Mackerel restaurant.

The latest plan for the land comes as Homecorp is embarking on three build-to-rent towers at Varsity Lakes.

Ron Bakir, CEO, Homecorp during a portrait shoot at his office, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

Mr Bakir said Homecorp was seeking the right to add four floors to a 21-floor tower which Sunland had approved last year.

“We’re eliminating one-bedroom apartments and concentrating solely on two and three-bedroom homes in a residents-only building with no holiday letting.

“The time to undertake this project is far more conducive, thanks to today’s vibrant market, than it ever was during Sunland’s efforts to come up with a successful venture.”

The planned Perle, designed by the DBI group, is to have 155 apartments, with twin basements housing 192 cars.

Mr Bakir said immense energy had been invested in making Perle’s rooftop “the best of the best”.

He said it would have an indoor gym, sauna, steam room, pool and spa, outdoor pool terrace flanked by seating, and a meeting room.

“There’ll also be a 200sq m residents’ club lounge and a heated infinity-edge pool looking toward the Surfers skyline.

“The rooftop will be for all residents to use and they’ll be able to take in 360 views that highlight the Broadwater and the Hinterland.”

Sunland bought the Labrador site in two tranches, starting in 2008, and at a total cost of $11.75 million.

The land was put on the market last year and, among others, drew interest from AVID, the former Villa World, but no deal eventuated.

The first Sunland approval for the land was for a tower of 27 levels in 2010, followed by a 36-floor building in 2016, a 16-floor tower and low-rise villas in 2019, and the 21-level tower last year.