Chinese developer Mr Cao will build landmark project on former Southport Star of the Sea convent
HE spent months searching Australia for the perfect site to create a multimillion-dollar lifestyle development and then he found Southport.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HE spent months searching Australia for the perfect site to create a multimillion-dollar lifestyle development.
In the end, Chinese developer, Mr Cao, chose Southport as the place to create a landmark project which will see the suburb’s renaissance scale new heights.
The property developer is believed to be paying upwards of $25 million for the former Southport home of the Star of the Sea convent which was placed on the market by the Catholic religious order.
His company, Xi’an WenHua Industrial Co, based in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, acquired the landholding, apparently through Australian arm, Garuda GC Corporation.
Mr Cao now plans to transform the 1.5ha site into a resort and lifestyle precinct that will feature high-rise towers with shopping and dining precincts, office space and education facilities alongside resort accommodation and permanent-living apartments.
A property industry source said the project would “outshine all other developments in the Southport CBD.”
“It will be one of the largest employment generators the city has seen and will revitalise the suburb,” the source said.
Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow said the development would breathe new life into the heart of the suburb.
“I think this is the most iconic site on the Gold Coast and it is going to be an absolutely fantastic development,” Cr Crichlow said.
“It is opposite the Aquatic Centre which will host Commonwealth Games swimming events, will have direct access to the Nerang Mall and I would love to see it eventually connected to the Broadwater Parklands by a bridge.
“This is exactly what we are looking for as part of the Priority Development Area designation for Southport.”
Cr Crichlow said the developer had settled on Southport for his first Australian foray because of its proximity to exclusive education facilities St Hilda’s and The Southport School, the Chinatown precinct and light-rail project.
She said the developer was so impressed with the Chinatown project he had decided to donate a paifang, or gateway, that will be erected at the entrance to the precinct.
Mr Cao’s daughter also has purchased a home in Southport’s prominent TSS precinct.
“He was attracted to the area as a great base for his daughter and grandchildren,” Cr Crichlow said.
Developer’s amazing Chinese projects. Business, Page 36
Horror show: Poll becomes expensive for Coast candidates
The 2024 state election on the Gold Coast has taken a horror turn with teenage vandals embarking on a “Monster Mash” attack of political signage.
Secret source of cheap groceries I didn’t know I was eligible for
A Queensland mum reveals how she’s cut the big two supermarkets out of her weekly shop - and the source of groceries she didn’t think was eligible for.