Mariners Cove rooftop pool and underground bar opposed by wealthy neighbours

The planned Ritz Carlton hotel development has caused The Spit’s biggest neighbourhood spat, with two heavyweight tourism operators complaining about the rival project to council.

The planned Ritz Carlton hotel redevelopment of Mariners Cove has caused The Spit’s biggest neighbourhood spat with two heavyweight tourism operators complaining about the rival project to council.

Tim Gordon’s Gordon Corp, which is building its $300m Mantaray Marina and Residences on a vacant site directly south of Mariners Cove, has lodged an objection to City planners.

To the immediate north, Marina Mirage engaged planners UPS to review the application and also objected, after finding several “significant modifications” had occurred on their boundary line.

Renders of the Ritz Carlton, Gold Coast, which is slated to open in 2026. Picture: Supplied

The big concerns, for both, are a rooftop pool area and a downstairs space where an “underground bar” could become a nightclub, sparking fears about noise and drunks at night.

Mr Gordon’s company says it is not opposed to the redevelopment of Mariners Cove but its “exceptionally high end residential accommodation” needed to be protected.

“The overuse of underground areas for highly impressive, inspirational uses – such as a bar, gym, shop and function uses – seems unnecessary and has the potential for significant impacts including noise, vibration, parking as well as anti-social behaviour,” its submission said.

“The activation of rooftop areas for functions and alcohol consumption creates a public safety risk and concern.”

Gordon Corp also contends that Mariners Cove does not create as much public space as its Mantaray development.

Tim Gordon and his wife Karin.

The Ritz Carlton Mariners Cove project. This graphic shows the neighbouring sites including Marina Mirage.

The Giannarelli and Pelligra groups have lodged a development application for a proposed Main Beach Superyacht Marina and Ritz Carlton Hotel on the site. It has sparked objections from tourism operators and community groups.

Gold Coast City Council is expected to consider the project and these submissions in the coming months.

Giannarelli Group director Dion Giannarelli said: “We will endeavour to have discussions with both of our neighbours about the concerns they have raised, we support both our neighbours approved and proposed developments and believe our offering will further complement the world-class marine infrastructure on the Gold Coast.”

Ross Pelligra, Dion Giannarelli and Dean Giannarelli at Mariners Cove.

Part of The Spit masterplan is for these areas to provide a continuous public boardwalk.

Planners provided designs which show Mariners Cove had a 9m setback at shop level and 4m at upper levels. Mantaray has 17m on the ground and almost 15 at higher spots.

Gordon Corp says its development was delivering on The Spit masterplan.

“The proposed redevelopment of Mariners Cove should make a conscious effort to interact and embellish the public plaza, rather than sitting on the periphery as a boundary to this,” its submission said.

Artist impression of the Mantaray project on The Spit from Tim Gordon's Gordon Corporation.

UPS in its submission for Marina Mirage said the northwestern corner of the Mariners Cove development would have adverse impacts including privacy, noise and hours of operation.

The rooftop swimming pool which was previously located on the southern arm of the development had been relocated to the northern arm next to Marina Mirage.

“While we are supportive in principle of the redevelopment of the Mariners Cove site, there are significant concerns raised on review of the proposal in its current form,” its submission said.

The Mariners Cove Ritz Carlton project at The Spit. This graphic is prepared by the neighbouring property, the Mantaray development, and shows different amounts of public space.

“The reliance on underground areas and multipurpose use of rooftop and prominent common open spaces for large functions clearly shows that the proposal is an over intensification and considered beyond the communities reasonable expectation.”

Reports prepared for Mariners Cove show a hotel tavern could cater for 250 patrons, operating day, evening and night.

Acoustic testing accounted for about 450 patrons at the rooftop functions area.

The outdoor areas were limited to 6am to 10pm, the bar from 10am to 12am with the tavern closing at 11pm.

The team behind Mariners Cove after talks with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority has removed plans for a Marina Amphitheatre.

The number of short-term accommodation suites was increased from 150 units to 154 units marina berths decreased from 67 to 66 and parking reduced from 441 to 420 spaces.

Mr Giannarelli confirmed the groups had updated the project and removed the amphitheatre.

“We propose a public boardwalk that will provide connectivity to the north and south and provide a place for locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the experiences on offer,” he said.

“We will be adding a contemporary lifestyle dimension to the Gold Coast’s world-famous tourism offering with the potential to grow the visitor economy, bringing significant visitor numbers and spending to local business.”

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Originally published as Mariners Cove rooftop pool and underground bar opposed by wealthy neighbours