Glenelg Residences: First look at Gold Coast Highway tower replacing old shopping centre

An ageing shopping centre on the Mermaid Beach stretch of the light rail will be demolished and replaced by a luxury unit complex just 400m from the beach. SEE THE PLANS

An ageing shopping centre on the Mermaid Beach stretch of the light rail will be demolished and replaced by a luxury unit complex just 400m from the beach.

Plans have been lodged with the council to demolish the retail strip on the corner of Glenelg Ave and Gold Coast Highway and replace it with the 11-storey Glenelg residences.

The 2036sq m site is currently home to the Legend Cutz barber shop, Flag Shop, FantAsia massage parlour and Pastel and Bossa pizza bar.

The project, put forward by developer Glenelg Ave, reveal its ground level will have retail and commercial floorspace for businesses while the rest will be residential units.

Artist impression of a new Mermaid Beach tower on the Gold Coast Highway. Picture: Supplied

According to plans lodged with council, the tower will have a bar on one of its three basement levels, plus a restaurant and shop.

It will have 96 units, home to 212 bedrooms, with most being devoted to the two-bedroom format.

It will sit just 270m from the Mermaid Beach station of the light rail, which is currently under construction.

“Positioned along The Gold Coast Highway and the future

light rail line, the project will enjoy the amenity of the nearby beach, shops, cafes and restaurants, and a light rail stop within a few minutes walk,” a planning report on the project reads.

Artist impression of a new Mermaid Beach tower on the Gold Coast Highway. Picture: Supplied

“The ground floor is predominantly retail, with a mix of food and drink, retail, cafes and an underground bar, all with direct access from the Gold Coast Highway and the retail car park to the rear.

“Above the retail use are 10 floors of high quality residential apartments, with 10 units per floor.

“The apartments provided are large liveable apartments that can cater for families and focus on maximising natural ventilation and natural light. All apartments are provided with large featured balconies that can be used as an outdoor living room.”

Artist impression of a new Mermaid Beach tower on the Gold Coast Highway. Picture: Supplied

Plans show the tower will also have a large infinity pool on its roof with views of the ocean, as well as smaller individual pools and spas.

There will also be a barbecue and dining area for the tower’s residents on its roof level.

Steve Harrison, the chairman of the Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group, said the project was of the caliber which would continue to appear along the tram route.

“This will compliment the businesses which are already there, so having a mixed-used project makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Artist impression of a new Mermaid Beach tower on the Gold Coast Highway. Picture: Supplied

“It will have frequent public transport on its door and the residents will be able to make use of that in a central location which is just 400m from the beach.

“This is the kind of gentle density which we should see more of because it is earmarked for an area with a high amount of social and community infrastructure, public transport and other elements required for future growth.”

The development will go before the council’s planning committee later this year for approval.