New waterfront development on beachfront pitched at boomers
LOS ANGELES: A new waterfront development on the beachfront is set to be pitched to the baby boomer quartile.
Limited waterfront land, growing confidence in the Gold Coast’s Olympic involvement and rising demand for integrated marina living have fuelled buyer interest in the release of the Marina Mirage residential stage.
The Makris Group-owned $500 million transformation of the 1980s Main Beach landmark will yield 38 branded villas and penthouses within a fully integrated marina-resort precinct.
Incorporating seven low-rise buildings arranged around a central palm garden and 50m pool, the redevelopment will include a 126-room Luxury Collection Resort by Marriott International hotel, a superyacht marina, seven dining venues, curated retailers, an event space and a 2000 sqm wellness precinct.
Makris Group chief executive officer Jason Makris says there is considerable interest in the apartments from qualified downsizers, residents of neighbouring developments and established waterfront property owners.
“Since the 2023 unveiling demand has surged organically, fuelled by the scarcity of the unique waterfront environment, the Gold Coast’s promising trajectory toward the 2032 Olympics, and the allure of a fully integrated marina-resort lifestyle,” he says.
“Pre-market expressions of interest have been robust, underscoring a deep pool of qualified buyers eager to claim one of the 38 homes before they’re fully committed.”
Interest has extended beyond conventional luxury apartment buyers, with crossover from existing marina occupants, after the 78-berth superyacht marina was completed in 2021.
Of the 38 homes, configurations range from 250sq m for a quarter-floor apartment to approximately 1000sq m for double-storey, four-bedroom and four-bathroom penthouses, of which there are four.
Other apartments include four 500sq m sub- penthouses with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and four car spaces. There will be eighteen 350sq m villas comprising three bedrooms, three bathrooms and three car spaces. There will also be twelve 250sq m homes with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and three car spaces.
Prices start from $6.45m, equating to about $25,800/sqm, with penthouse pricing yet to be publicly disclosed.
Marina Mirage builds on the Makris Group’s repositioning of Oracle Broadbeach, where the retail and dining precinct beneath two residential towers of about 500 apartments was transformed into a mixed-use destination. Makris says that experience had directly informed the Marina Mirage strategy.
“The Oracle Broadbeach evolution taught us the power of fostering local tenant and community bonds, dynamic placemaking and harmonious mixed-use integration,” he says.
“These insights have profoundly shaped Marina Mirage, guiding the curation of refined dining, boutique retail, wellness offerings and resort amenities into a sustainable, village-like waterfront enclave.”
Architecturally, the project is a departure from the Gold Coast’s prevailing high-rise archetype. Fraser & Partners director and lead architect Callum Fraser says the project was conceived
as a romantic, stone-hewn Byzantine village rising from the Broadwater, drawing inspiration from global Riviera cities.
Layered terraces, shaded colonnades and rooftop gardens are expressed through a palette of limestone, travertine, oak and bronze detailing, with subtle oyster-shell references.
“We’re conscious the Gold Coast has become home to Australia’s most dynamic community. When you walk down the street there’s a real buzz and a vibe; it has an openness and vibrancy about it,” Fraser says.
“The Makris’ live their convictions. They said to us, ‘we’re interested in homes that are a place for the whole family to live but a place that your family can live in for generations’. They wanted timeless, eternal values.
“We’ve combined that with the intrinsic values of the Gold Coast, which centres around spending time outdoors, health and happiness, and put all those things together.”
Kollosche managing director Michael Kollosche will oversee a controlled campaign across the pre-construction, construction commencement and completion phases.
“The pricing reflects reasonable value for early purchasers, given that the development
is positioned at the very top end of the market and reflective of global marina-front benchmarks,” he says.
“While it is premature to comment publicly on specific penthouse pricing, these residences are approximately 1000sq m in scale and represent a generational offering in what will
be a landmark development on the Gold Coast.”