Gold Coast Turf Club lodges plans for $370m development of vast lifestyle, entertainment precinct
Plans to transform the Gold Coast Turf Club into a $370m tourism and lifestyle precinct have been welcomed by civic leaders.
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Plans to transform the Gold Coast Turf Club into a $370m tourism and lifestyle precinct have been welcomed by civic leaders.
The club lodged a development application with the Gold Coast City Council on Friday for the Sunlight Lifestyle Precinct, which will create three residential towers of up to 19 storeys which will be built across a seven-year period.
It will feature 557 residential apartments and 63 dedicated short-stay serviced apartments.
Destination Gold Coast interim CEO Karen Bolinger said new hotel stock and fresh attractions were critical to the city delivering on its growth targets in the decade leading up to the 2032 Olympic Games.
“As we move towards the $44bn tourism target set out in the 2032 strategy we are keen to look at the landscape around the infrastructure being built here on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“All things are a possibility as we grow out economic impact and (new tourism product) will be needed to support that.”
The development application will be considered by city leaders in coming months and is unrelated to an already underway $63m redevelopment of the racecourse to build three new racing and training tracks and lights for night racing.
The project was welcomed by area councillor Darren Taylor.
“I am always supportive of all proposed projects like this and the opportunities they present,” he said.
“We will need to look closely at it to ensure that it meets all City Plan requirements.”
Turf club CEO Steve Lines said on Friday he hoped the $370m precinct, to be developed in partnership with Aquis Australia, would become a world-class entertainment and tourism hub.
“The tallest tower overlooking the racetrack will feature a stunning two-level, roof top Sky Garden, with infinity edge pools, restaurant, bars and dedicated events space all with spectacular views overlooking the racetrack and Gold Coast skyline,” he said.
The proposed 1.8ha development is planned for the corner of Racecourse Dr and Crombie Ave, on the site of the existing horse tie-up stalls.
Among its key features are luxury hotel, infinity pools, retail spaces and Australia’s largest rooftop bar overlooking the racetrack.
Towers over racecourse in $370m entertainment precinct plan
A new $370 million Gold Coast Turf Club masterplan features three residential towers, a luxury hotel, infinity pools, retail spaces and Australia’s largest rooftop bar overlooking the race track.
The club - the home of the Magic Millions every January - lodged plans for its transformative mixed-use development, dubbed the Sunlight Lifestyle Precinct, with Gold Coast City Council on Friday night.
It is named in the honour of 2018 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Sunlight and contains 557 residential apartments and 63 dedicated short-stay serviced apartments. Retail spaces will boast shopping, food markets, wellness hubs, dining and entertainment precincts.
The plans feature eight buildings, ranging from three to 19 storeys, to be developed in stages over the next seven years.
The submission comes amid a separate $63m redevelopment of the racecourse. It features the construction of three new racing and training tracks, lights for night racing pencilled in for use by February or March and a new tunnel for racehorse access to the track well under way.
Turf club CEO Steve Lines said he hoped the $370m precinct, to be developed in partnership with Aquis Australia, would become a world-class entertainment and tourism hub.
“The tallest tower overlooking the racetrack will feature a stunning two-level, roof top Sky Garden, with infinity edge pools, restaurant, bars and dedicated events space all with spectacular views overlooking the racetrack and Gold Coast skyline,” he said.
“The Sky Garden will offer a new experience for racegoers for both day and night-time events.”
Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said the development would create 1315 new jobs during and after construction and was important to ensuring the club’s long-term financial sustainability.
“This project will also give the GCTC substantial ongoing revenue streams to secure the long-term commercial security of the club, a major goal for the entire board and staff to achieve.”
The proposed 1.8ha development is planned for the corner of Racecourse Dr and Crombie Ave, on the site of the existing horse tie-up stalls.
The stalls will be relocated and replaced with improved facilities to the south of the existing turf club’s Event Centre.
Access between the racetrack and the club’s $10m new training centre, under construction, will also be improved with new off-road pathways and tunnels to improve safety for humans and animals.
The club said global architectural studio Woods Bagot had been engaged to transform the area into a “tropical neighbourhood with a focus on lifestyle and convenience”.
The buildings are arranged around a central, landscaped courtyard featuring numerous water
gardens and public lounging pavilions, flanked by ground level retail and hospitality tenancies.
A two-storey basement carpark is provided for resident and short-stay use, while two on-grade
carparks service the retail functions – more than 1300 car parks will be added under the proposal.
Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said the entertainment precinct would support the world-class racing track and lights amenities that are now under construction.
“The Gold Coast Turf Club boasts one of the most spectacular backdrops in world racing,” Mr Scott said.
“With night racing set to commence next year, the Surfers Paradise skyline will be beamed across the globe, showcasing the incredible racing, training and patron facilities that will soon be on offer.
“The Sunlight Lifestyle Precinct would provide an exciting next stage, offering an integrated tourism and entertainment hub like no other in the Sunshine State.
“The Sunlight Lifestyle Precinct is a new place to live, stay, visit and play.”
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