Boomer paradise now being promulgated for resort island Isthmus
LOS ANGELES: A boomer paradise is now being promulgated for a sub-tropical island Isthmus.
The first all-residential development on The Spit is one step closer to reality as the transformation of the precinct ramps up.
Ignite Projects has lodged plans with Gold Coast City Council for the $120m, three-storey The Isles complex, earmarked for the site next to the Water Police station.
The company, which was tapped for the project by the state government in late 2025, is expected to begin construction later this year.
Ignite director Josh Foote said the heritage-listed remnants of Humphreys Boat Shed would be retained, along with the site’s Norfolk pines.
“This is about more than delivering opulent apartments – it’s about creating a welcoming and memorable gateway to The Spit that people can enjoy every day,” Mr Foote said.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure the public realm is a central part of the project, from the landscaped parklands and family-friendly spaces through to the preservation and celebration of important local heritage.”
The plans said: “This proposal seeks to redefine the southern gateway to The Spit by establishing a mixed-use destination that combines high-quality parkland, cafe dining and residential living.”
The proposal includes the revitalisation of Naval Memorial Park, unlocking a key public open space, alongside a residential scheme, complemented by new streetscape and waterfront treatments.
“The development will transform the southern end of The Spit, creating an iconic gateway on a site that is currently under-utilised,” the plans said.
The complex, which will contain 27 units, restaurants and bars, was to include a commercial marina operating at least 18 berths.
However, the planning report notes this has been scrapped for the time being “due to ongoing discussions with the state regarding the spatial extent of the seabed lease”.
The existing two-storey Navy League of Australia building will be demolished to make way for the waterfront project.
However, the training mast from the building, formerly of a minesweeper, will be preserved, while the Navy memorial will be moved to another location.
The memorial has not been publicly accessible for many years.
The state government last year appointed Ignite to redevelop the site, with Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek describing it as a “game changer”.
The Isles building was designed by Contreras Earl Architecture.
Architect Rafael Contreras said the aim was to bring a “new residential, tourism, leisure, natural environment and cultural heritage hub on the iconic and much-loved peninsula”.
“Rather than a typical built form, the architecture has been shaped by performance and experience, from optimising outlook and privacy to creating a strong connection to landscape and climate,” he said.
“A central landscaped courtyard allows light, air and greenery to permeate the building, while the articulated facade introduces movement and rhythm inspired by the Broadwater.
“The Isles will create a place where people can gather, relax and connect with the water, while also delivering a refined residential product that responds to its unique setting.”
It comes ahead of construction beginning on the redevelopment of Peter’s Fish Market at Carter’s Basin.
It will become a two-storey building with in-house dining and recreate the existing takeaway facilities along with new public footpaths along the northern, eastern and western boundaries, including a new section of the Broadwater pathway.
Meanwhile, planning continues on a pair of new developments unveiled in late 2025 which will see the fishing fleet’s existing home at Carter’s Basin and the former Golden Door gym replaced with two tourism projects.
Expressions of interest launched in February on the 3.5ha site, known as Village Centre North, which sits just south of Sea World.
The state government is hoping to pick a developer to deliver the project within months.