Meriton Iconica: Harry Triguboff’s Surfers Paradise supertowers up for council approval
Famous developer “high-rise” Harry Triguboff has revealed the next step in his grand plan to build a twin supertower mega project on the Surfers Paradise beachfront.
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A twin supertower development pitched by high-rise king Harry Triguboff on one of the biggest prime commercial sites in Surfers Paradise has been approved by council’s planning committee.
Councillors at the City’s planning committee on Thursday were unanimous in approving the Iconica project, a 78-storey north tower and 53-storey south tower respectively, on a 4413sq m site on The Esplanade facing beachfront just north of Cavill Mall.
The prominent location, long held and undeveloped by Singapore-based builder Banyan Tree, was previously home to the Bahia and Beach Lodge towers, which have since been demolished.
The project, believed to be worth almost $1 billion, is being developed by Meriton, which recently completed its nearby 76-storey Ocean supertower.
Mr Triguboff welcomed the decision.
“The planners and councils in Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been very fair and if a rule is clearly wrong, they would take action and change it. Sydney is a different story,” he said.
“Iconica will be my 20th high-rise development on the Gold Coast. Compared to my first visit here 60 years ago, the Gold Coast is attracting more and more young people from other states, and the demand for units is stronger than ever.
“So, I’m pleased to receive the approval and we will start building soon.”
Officers had recommended approval subject to conditions, with the development application “code assessable” because there were no height limits.
Officers in their report said: “Overall, City officers consider the proposal will make a significant contribution to the emerging and aspirational character of the Surfers Paradise locality. The development will contribute to the urban renewal and revitalisation of the area.”
Senior councillors agreed with planning chair Mark Hammel saying the project after consultation with officers saw improvements including setbacks for the southern tower.
“This is an iconic site in our city and deserves an iconic building to be built on it,” he said.
Cr Hammel said the renders along with improvements to the podium and activation to the street level would ensure it would attain that status.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates welcomed unique additions like the child care centre.
“It’s really important we keep delivering on new product. It’s an important site. I think it deserves our support,” she said.
Details in the report reveal the project, which will see 627 dwellings possibly accommodating more than 1200 people, will be developed in four stages.
The first stage will be four levels of basement parking. Designs include several food and dining areas, operating from 6am to 10pm, and a childcare centre open from 6.30am.
Council received 52 submissions on the project, with concerns raised about the building scale, the height, setbacks and shadowing.
The twin towers, first unveiled in December 2021, were originally to be called Pacific and were planned to be 71 and 51 storeys respectively.
Mr Triguboff spent more than $75m to buy the site from Banyan Tree in May 2021 and told the Bulletin at the time of his excitement at building there.
“I’m Surfers’ biggest fan – I love walking on the beach and I lap up the buzz,” he said.
“Surfers is entering a new era on the back of Covid, with more and more Australians appreciating it.”
In May 2023 Mr Triguboff lodged plans with the council for Cypress, a giant three-storey tower planned on the former Vomitron site in central Surfers Paradise.
Cypress will feature more than 1300 units and the three supertowers will comprise of 80, 73 and 53-storeys respectively.
This will place the tallest tower at four storeys above Sunland’s 77-storey Q1 – the city’s tallest building. It is understood it may rival the height of the spire at the top of the Q1.
Mr Triguboff bought the site for $34.4m in a sale which settled in March. According to the plans lodged with council, the towers will each have rooftop “skygardens” overlooking the Gold Coast and a “gold spine” running down the sides.
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