Developer Sunland plans 40-storey tower for Hedges Avenue address as residents vow to fight

LEADING developer Sunland is planning to build a high-rise tower on one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive addresses which is home to some of the city’s most powerful people.

Sunland want to build a tower on Millionaire’s Row

ONE of Australia’s most exclusive beachfront streets could soon get its first highrise.

Property giant Sunland wants to build a 40-storey tower on Hedges Ave in Mermaid Beach after buying land in the northern part of the street for $13.4 million.

City leaders and real estate experts say the $210 million, 90-unit project would be a boon.

However, the street is home to some of the most powerful people in Queensland and the residents association say the bid is “outrageous”.

SUNLAND CONSIDERS HEDGES AVE SITE

The Hedges Avenue site Sunland has bought.

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Sunland, who built city icons the Q1 and Palazzo Versace, revealed its plans yesterday in a letter to the ASX.

Sahba Abedian of Sunland. Pic Annette Dew

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Sunland managing director Sahba Abedian said the project would complement the “outdistancing beachside location”.

“Sunland intends to lodge a development application in coming months, with a vision to deliver a boutique 40-storey residential tower comprising approximately 90 apartments,” Mr Abedian wrote.

“Our design approach will cater specifically to the owner-occupier market to deliver the high level of amenity, finishes and quality craftsmanship sought by this segment.

“This is an exceptional site located on one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious beachside addresses with unlimited coastline views.”

Millionaire’s Row has no high-rises. Sunland’s proposal would be the first. Picture Mike Batterham

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The site, just south of Broadbeach State School, falls 100 metres within the boundary of the Broadbeach area plan, which allows highrises.

The neighbouring Peerless Ave marks the start of a three-storey height limit.

Among Hedges Ave’s most prominent residents are long-time tourism figure Terry Jackman, real estate leaders Luke and Andrew Henderson, and businessman Frank Goldstein.

Mermaid Beach Community Association president Alf Vockler said the planned development was “outrageous” and could not be allowed to go ahead.

Alf Vockler. Photo: Regi Varghese

He said existing traffic issues and the area’s low-rise character made the project inappropriate.

“This is not just silly but totally outrageous and out of character for this area,” he said.

“We do not want highrises on Hedges Ave and as far as I am concerned, they will have to go through court to get it through.

“There will be so many objections to this they will not be able to count them.”

The 1821sq m beachside site was bought by Sunland for $13.4 million in a deal which took two years to secure.

Perry Brosnan negotiated the deal.

Agent Perry Brosnan, of Professionals John Henderson Real Estate, negotiated the sale.

The project will go before council this year and would replace the ageing Majestic Court and Sussex Mansions low-rises.

To secure the land it took the agreement of 16 owners within the two buildings, which border the Stella Marris Catholic Church.

Area councillor Paul Taylor welcomed the Sunland project.

Cr Paul Taylor. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“They are known for doing good developments and I would like to see something nice for the Gold Coast,” Mr Taylor said.

“There are always going to be objections, there are every time someone talks about putting up a highrise.”

The proposed tower would feature a mixture of two bedroom units to four-bedroom sub-penthouses.

Gold Coast Real Estate agent Michael Kollosche. Picture Supplied

Leading prestige property agent Michael Kollosche, who has sold multiple properties on Hedges Ave, said the tower’s units would be snapped up quickly.

“The market is starving for quality product in Broadbeach and it is going to be an advantage. It will be at an address known as the most exclusive beachfront property in the city, if not the country,” he said.

“There has not been much new product in the area for many years so I anticipate this would be highly sought after.”