The most popular suburbs on the Gold Coast for downsizers and rightsizers in 2025
Downsizers and rightsizers have dominated the new and off the plan apartment market in 2024.
The two camps, downsizers in particular, are the least impacted by the continued high interest rates compared to a first home buyer or investor, positioning them as a key target for developers. Most of the new apartment developments that have come to the market in 2024 have been large apartments that suit the size and budgets of a downsizer.
Many downsizers have built significant equity in their family homes over the years and are now looking to move into more manageable living spaces, while also securing funds for retirement.
But where are downsizers and rightsizers looking to buy?
In this article, we've looked at the most popular suburbs in the Gold Coast for both buyer demographics, highlighting some of the most popular developments in those areas.
Broadbeach
Broadbeach continues to be one of the most popular suburbs on the Gold Coast for every buyer demographic.
Broadbeach offers high-density projects, which lend themselves to the first home buyer and investors as well as the downsizer who wants a sky-high apartment with significant amenity options within the building, as well as full-floor luxury, which tends to be the most popular downsizer option.
It's a walk to the beach, its has its own bowls club, several parks, and primary school, as well as Pacific Fair, the second largest shopping centre in Queensland, and the revamped Star Casino precinct.
It's been the largest towers that have been targeted by next home buyers.
Crest Broadbeach, by Morris Property Group, and Victoria & Albert by Iris Capital, the landmark two-tower development on the former Niecon Plaza site.
The Albert Tower in V&A has been more designed for downsizers, with larger apartments starting from $1.8 million.
Victoria & Albertl comprise around 400 apartments, as well as a subtropical recreational podium with a lap pool, gym, and extensive landscaped areas.
The apartments will sit above a $200 million retail precinct which will have hand-picked retailers and hospitality venues.
Crest has also proven popular with the next home buyer demographic.
So far only the first tower has been released to the market, 184 two and three-bedroom apartments. The second tower, with slightly few apartments, will be released in the new year.
Crest will sit on Armrick Avenue, one of three streets that face the 4.2-hectare Broadbeach Park, a sought-after spot given it means protected south and eastern views toward the beach and the ocean.
On top of the view lines, Broadbeach Park is a drawcard by itself. Broadbeach Park is home to Broadbeach Bowls Club, which has stood as the focal point of Broadbeach since the mid-1950s, as well as Nikiforides Family Park, Broadbeach Croquet Club, and the Broadbeach Life Saving Club.
Morris is underway in construction of both the Crest towers, which will be completed in mid-2027.
Chevron Island
For the last three years, there's been a wide variety of options for local downsizers and rightsizers on Chevron Island.
The island has been popular with those from New South Wales and Victoria who are looking to move to the Gold Coast.
Much like Broadbeach, Chevron Island residents get close proximity to Surfers, but its own different lifestyle, like the retail strip of Thomas Street and the thriving Home of The Arts precinct.
SIERA chose Chevron Island for its debut Gold Coast apartment development, Tapestry, currently under construction through SIERA's inhouse construction arm.
Tapestry, designed by BDA, will have 113 apartments across a 22-level building which is to be crowned by an amenity-fuelled rooftop with an infinity pool, private dining areas, and a gym.
Aniko Group also recently started construction of its first Chevron Island apartment development Orama, which is comfortably over 80 per cent sold of the 102 apartments.
Also under construction through its own in-house building arm, Orama will rise 21 levels and will also feature significant rooftop amenity.
Aniko Group Managing Director, George Mastrocostas, said the sales success of Orama reaffirms that downsizers are the primary market driving the Gold Coast’s appetite for premium living experiences.
Peter Malady, sales and marketing director of Aniko Group, said their strategic pricing and emphasis on luxury amenities have resonated particularly well with local downsizers, who don’t just seek a residence, but a lifestyle tailored to their needs and desires.
Sherpa Property Group is also tapping into the downsizer with one of its newest developments, Perspective Helm.
Eight of the 10 residences have sold, with prices starting from $3.7 million. Each apartment has three to four bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, and garaging for three to four cars.
The rising price per square metre in Chevron Island—averaging $11,000 for two-bedroom apartments in 2024—reflects the suburb's growing demand.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach has been in a boom for years, with demand mainly coming from downsizers and rightsizers. This is due to the area's significant price growth and the types of apartments being developed.
Palmie dethorned Palm Beach as the Gold Coast's most popular suburb in November, with enquiry reaching an 18-month high.
Hitting different demographics, with different budgets, is Sherpa. Their Perspective Nexus projects, its 12th development on the Gold Coast, comprises 35 two, three and four-bedroom apartments.
“We created Perspective Nexus to deliver luxury, and comfort residences and revolutionise beach living for local downsizers," Sherpa General Manager, Daniel Clarke, said.
“Our goal with Perspective Nexus is to transform beachfront living with state-of-the-art amenities and innovative design."
Sherpa is catering for downsizers and rightsizers, in a different way, at its recently launched Flourish on Sixth.
Flourish on Sixth is the first in Sherpa's new Flourish brand which is trying to cater for a wider buyer pool than just luxury apartments on or near the beach.
Over 60 per cent of the one, two and three-bedroom apartments have been snapped up. The one-bedroom apartments were being offered for under $600,000, and a large number of the two's under $1 million.
The rooftop will have a lap pool, plunge pools, a gym, sauna, and a private kitchen and dining space.
LDS is set to build Flourish on Sixth, and will start construction in March.
Marquee Development Partners is also seeing success at La Belle Palm Beach, one project targeting that affluent downsizer.
“Palm Beach has emerged as one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after markets and La Belle is a world-class project that we have designed to meet sustained demand for premium residences on the southern Gold Coast,” Marquee Development Partners Director, Jacques Winterburn, said.
La Belle comprises 75 residences, including five two-level beach houses with nearly 400 sqm of living space.
Just two weeks after its official public launch earlier this year, over $100 million worth of sales were snapped up, with sales prices ranging from $2.5 million to $7 million.
Palm Beach is expected to see demand continue into 2025 with several new projects earmarked to launch early in the year.
Biggera Waters
Biggera Waters wasn't on the radar for Gold Coast off the plan apartments until Lewis Land put it on the map with its suburb-shaping new development, Harbour Shores.
Harbour Shores, to be one of the most sustainable masterplans on the Gold Coast having received a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, has proven popular with the downsizer/rightsizer given the size of the apartments and houses. Its location near Harbour Town and the Broadwater Parklands have been two major drawcards.
Lewis Land Chief Executive Officer Brett Draffen said the vacant 16-hectare site, which has been held by the group for more than 40 years, would be transformed into a vibrant ‘village of villages’ that will ultimately be home to more than 4,000 people.
“Harbour Shores represents the largest and most dynamic community development in Lewis Land’s 65-year history, delivering architectural homes and apartments immersed in nature and world-class amenities,” Draffen said.
“From the outset, we assembled a first-class team of architects, landscape designers, planners and placemaking experts and set an ambitious sustainability goal for Harbour Shores to become the group’s first completely fossil-fuel-free development."
Respected local builder Greyburn has been appointed to deliver the first collection of buildings which will be complted in mid-2026.
Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads remains a hotspot for affluent downsizers, as the suburb continues to look more like Bondi than a quiet coastal Gold Coast suburb.
Several major hospitality venues have opened up, none more popular than Rick Shores, while The Mondrian, the Gold Coast's first Mondrian Hotel and branded residences, is soon to open to much fan-fare.
With beachfront developments offering large, luxurious apartments starting upward of $5 million, Burleigh Heads caters to a more mature demographic.
Burleigh Beach Houses, the recently completed townhouses by 21 Property Group, have been most popular with downsizers and rightsizers.
The townhouses have four bedrooms, private lifts, outdoor entertaining areas, and plunge pools, near the beach and Burleigh's vibrant dining and shopping precinct.
