First look: Beachfront apartments planned for Tugun's Golden Four Drive

Plans with the Gold Coast City Council are for an 11-level tower, which would seek to tap into the 50 per cent uplift provision contained in the City Plan Strategic Framework
First look: Beachfront apartments planned for Tugun's Golden Four Drive
Joel Robinson May 17, 2023DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Golden Four Drive in Bilinga has been in the spotlight since the start of 2023, with a number of apartment developments submitted, approved, and launched in the first half of the year.

The latest application is on Golden Four Drive, but in Tugun rather than Bilinga, as the street stretches some 3.5 kilometres from the north of Tugun to the south of Bilinga.

Plans with the Gold Coast City Council are for an 11-level tower, which would seek to tap into the 50 per cent uplift provision contained in the City Plan Strategic Framework. It will be targeting the high-end market, with half-floor apartments offering over 220 sqm of internal living space.

There will be 19 three-bedroom units with multi-purpose room. Each bedroom will offer walk in wardrobes and ensuites, and each kitchen will have a walk in pantry. The kitchen, living and dining area is oriented beachside, where they will be an ocean facing balcony.

There will be a single four-bedroom penthouse, which will share the top level with the communal swimming pool, outdoor barbecue kitchen, and indoor lounge and dining space.

The single ground floor apartment has its own private pool.

BDA Architecture has handled the designs of the project, writing in their Design Statement that the project offers the opportunity to design an innovative architectural building within the Tugun Beach precinct. 

"The proposed residential building provides a coastal character that looks to create a strong architectural landmark along Golden Four Drive and the beachfront," BDA noted.

"The project offers a high quality coastal design that enhances the streetscape adding to the diverse range of building typologies within the area. 

"The detailing and articulation of the built form demonstrates a positive outcome for the streetscape and Tugun area."

The large 1,232 sqm site at 367 Golden Four Drive is located on the prized beachfront. Currently on the site is a three-storey walk-up block. It's just across the road from a number of parks including Tugun Park, Golden Four Park and Honeymoon Tree Park. 

Town planner Zone says the project "offers an excellent design outcome in response to the site context and neighbourhood character."

"[The] proposed development is considered appropriate for the location providing a contemporary and functional design outcome that will complement and enhance the existing, approved and emerging urban forms in the locality, without unduly impacting the amenity currently enjoyed by the surrounding properties," Zone's Town Planning Report read.

"Importantly, the proposed development will provide much needed accommodation in proximity to key infrastructure such as Gold Coast Airport and contribute to the further delivery of infill housing stock within the city."

The development has been submitted by Golden 4 Pty Ltd, an entity linked to Brisbane businessman Stephen Lambourne.

Further down Golden Four Drive toward Bilinga, Brent Thompson's Siera Property Group are preparing a unique project which has development approval for 11 levels. It will comprise 19 three and four-bedroom apartments.

Thompson secured the site late last year, saying that the site’s beachfront location, existing DA approval and advanced construction negotiations added significant value and made it a strategic addition to the group’s growing Gold Coast portfolio. 

“The existing development approval is 50 per cent higher than other existing approvals in the area, enabling the penthouses and apartments on the upper levels to access sweeping ocean views, north to the Broadbeach-Surfers Paradise skyline and out to the hinterland mountains,’’ Thompson said. 

Read more: Siera secure beachfront Bilinga site for third Gold Coast apartment development

Joel Robinson

Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Urban.com.au, managing Urban's editorial team and creating the largest news cycle for the off the plan property market in the country. Joel has been writing about residential real estate for nearly a decade, following a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism at Leeds Beckett University in England. He specializes in off the plan apartments, and has a particular interest in the development application process for new projects.

Editor's Picks

Box Hill's best new apartment development approaches completion
"We will reward the buildings that are designed the best" VIC Gov to speed up approvals for best designed apartment developments
Beulah unveils new sustainable Fitzroy development
UEM Sunrise approved to develop two towers on Subiaco Oval
Traders in Purple line-up new Padstow development