Geoff Chambers | January 12th, 2010
An artist’s impression of the proposed tower for the Volare site.
TWO major Gold Coast developers are planning luxury towers within 500m of each other opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Amalgamated Property Group has lodged plans to build a 20-storey tower on the Volare restaurant site, while the Potter Group will lodge its documents in March, outlining its vision for the ageing Main Place shopping complex.
Both sites were amalgamated over the past five years and are valued at more than $4 million.
The projects are located next to the rapid transit route and are expected to attract extra tourists to the Broadbeach precinct.
City planning chief Cr Ted Shepherd said the renaissance of Broadbeach would help drive the city’s construction industry.
He said he would also push for a pedestrian link from Main Place to the convention centre.
"I would like to see an all-weather glass enclosed overpass linking Broadbeach to the convention centre," said Cr Shepherd.
"Unfortunately, this request has been met with some negativity from TransLink, who say they would like to keep pedestrians at ground level."
Cr Shepherd said the council would support new high-rise projects along the beachfront, with a focus on sustainable living.
"I’ve seen the plans for the Main Place project and it looks fabulous," he said.
The Main Place redevelopment, proposed by Gold Coast property identity John Potter, will comprise a new retail-dining precinct fronting the Gold Coast Highway with a high-rise residential tower at the northern end.
The project team will work with TransLink to accommodate a light rail station and car parking.
Meanwhile, the Volare site redevelopment will include 108 apartments.
APG has delivered almost $400 million in high-rise projects on the southern Gold Coast since 2008, including the $85 million Verve, $90 million Element towers and $32 million Ivory Tower.
Sources said the council could consider a deal with the developers that includes financial contributions to support the light rail track, which will run from Griffith University to Pacific Fair.
An APG spokesman said the Volare project could go to market by the end of the year.