Meriton Cypress: Three tower development by Harry Triguboff to include Gold Coast’s tallest tower

Council has made a big call on whether to approve a giant triple tower project, which will include the tallest building on the Gold Coast. See where, how high and the result of the vote

A giant triple-tower Surfers Paradise project which will include the Gold Coast’s tallest building on the Gold Coast has been approved by council’s planning committee.

City planning officers in a report to the committee on Thursday recommended approving “high rise” Harry Triguboff’s mega development on the Cypress Ave site.

All councillors at committee ticked off on the city changing project which will see three towers of 57 storeys, 76 storeys and 83 storeys rise over the Glitter Strip.

Artist impression of Cypress, Harry Triguboff's new Surfers Paradise project which will be built in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied.

The project will deliver 1029 apartments and 335 short-term accommodation units.

The 7273sq m site is currently used for carparking, car and truck rentals along with a mini golf facility.

Planning chair Mark Hammel, speaking in support, said it was a capital outlay worth between $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion.

He said nine blocks were being amalgamated in what was a “major investment for the city”.

Cr Hammel said officers with the developer had realised an “exceptional podium outcome” and the separation between buildings beyond what was needed under the code.

“It’s directly outside a light rail stop. It’s the perfect location,” he said.

Area councillor Darren Taylor said the location was important because many underdeveloped sites in the north of Surfers Paradise needed to be activated.

“This is a real opportunity to do that. It’s a real positive development for this particular area of Surfers Paradise,” he said.

Officers said the site was located within the high-density residential zone and designated on the building height overlay map as HX, which identifies land free of a building height limit.

“The proposal is also within the light rail urban renewal overlay area that encourages innovative high-rise towers that advance the Gold Coast’s iconic skyline,” officers wrote.

Artist impression of Cypress, Harry Triguboff's new Surfers Paradise project which will be built in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied.

“Towers are to have slender forms, be well separated and provide distinct view corridors.

“The proposed development reflects the built form outcomes anticipated for the locality while also achieving a high-quality development that provides a generous and well-designed public realm.”

Officers wrote positively about the ground-level streetscape and commercial opportunities.

Artist impression of lower ground floors on the Cypress, the Harry Triguboff project planned for Surfers Paradise.

The largest tower at 83 levels - higher than Sunland’s 77-storey Q1 – will be the city’s tallest building. It is understood it may rival the height of the spire at the top of the Q1.

Mr Triguboff in May this year said the Cypress Ave site was “very dear to him” and would be a dramatically different development than his other projects.

“Little did I know that one day I would have the opportunity to purchase a site that is so dear to me, arguably the most central land in Surfers Paradise, and design a trilogy of the country’s tallest towers,” he said.

“I have been very passionate about designing and delivering buildings that are in tune with the ocean and the golden beaches.

The Cypress site in Surfers Paradise where the Harry Triguboff project will be built.

“I have loved the Gold Coast since my first visit in the 1960s, and after all my travels internationally, I still believe Surfers Paradise is one of the best positions in the world.

“The Cypress Ave towers will be my 21st high-rise development on the Gold Coast and I am extremely proud of Meriton’s 100 per cent construction completion record which offers purchasers security and certainty.”

Mr Triguboff bought the site for $34.4m in a sale which settled in March.

Follow @PaulWestonGC