Gold Coast development: 10 biggest projects now underway

More than $2 billion of construction is underway across the Gold Coast, with these 10 massive developments accounting for much of the work.

MORE than $2 billion of construction work is underway across the Gold Coast, with several developers moving forward with major projects.

Among the most bullish is Sunland Group, the developer behind the iconic Q1 supertower and Palazzo Versace.

Artist impression of Sunland Group's The Lanes

Construction is now moving rapidly on its $1.3 billion The Lakes mini-city at Clear Island Waters. This project will ultimately feature four mid-rise towers and a shopping centre.

The developer’s 45-storey, $250 million luxury Hedges Ave tower is also coming out of the ground and is expected to be completed in 2022.

Sunland's 272 Hedges Ave tower. Picture: Sunland Group

Sunland is understood to be reworking its plans for the Greenmount Beach resort and in the past six months has put several major development sites on the market, including its lease of the Mariner’s Cove land on The Spit and the former KFC property at Labrador where it had hoped to build a boutique accommodation tower.

An artist's impression of Sunland's proposed towers at Greenmount. Photo: Supplied

Also making waves is The Star Entertainment Group which is building the third tower of its Broadbeach complex, which will become home to the Dorsett Hotel and Star Residences.

Construction at the Star this week as the podium of the Dorsett tower is completed and the central tower begins to rise.

Star chief executive Matt Bekier told the Bulletin this week the 54-storey tower had reached a new milestone.

“It has been built up to the podium level and the tower is starting to come out of the ground, so expect to see storey after storey going up.’’

Work on the tower is expected to be completed next year.

Artist impression of The Star Gold Coast's masterplan concept. Image: Supplied

Several other projects are coming out of the ground rapidly.

Near the Star, the $220 million, 35-storey Signature Broadbeach is rising in Philip Ave.

It is the brainchild of rich lister and former Toll Holdings boss Paul Little and will feature 245 units. It is expected to open in early 2022.

Signature Broadbeach.

At Burleigh Heads, Brisbane-based developer Spyre Group is going to market on a new tower planned for The Esplanade after it gained council approval this week.

The Ocean supertower. Photo: Supplied

Further north in Surfers Paradise, “high-rise” Harry Triguboff’s 74-storey Ocean supertower is rising quickly and is set to open in 2022.

Once completed, it will become the Gold Coast’s second tallest tower and Meriton’s largest in the state.

Artist impression of the $140 million No.1 Grant Ave project at Hope Island by developer Aniko Group

In the city’s far north, construction will begin as early as next month on the second stage of the $140 million No.1 Grant Ave project at Hope Island after strong sales reported by developer Aniko Group.

Artist impressions of Gold Coast Airport upgrade.

On the southern Gold Coast a significant number of mid-rise projects are being built in Palm Beach, with several more set to join them in coming months.

Gold Coast Airport’s $500 million expansion and revamp is also underway, with the first piece – a $50 million Rydges hotel tower – to open later this year.

Work on major public infrastructure projects is also starting this year, creating much-needed jobs.

Construction will begin before Christmas on the Gold Coast light rail’s Stage 3A, extending the tramline from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A.

It is expected to create more than 760 jobs while the 7.6km, $709 million link is built, with the State Government giving it a 2023 launch date.

Meanwhile, the $1 billion widening of the M1 between Varsity Lakes and the border is getting underway and surveyors are already scoping out the proposed Coomera Connector, a major arterial road to run from Carrara to Stapylton as an alternative to the M1.