Why we are downsizing to Crest Broadbeach: Urban Buyer Q&A

Downsizing has become a significant trend in the Gold Coast off the plan apartment market.

The demand comes from both locals seeking low-maintenance living near the beach and southern state residents either advancing their retirement plans or buying apartments to move into when they do retire.

Morris Property Group has seen several buyers who are planning for retirement, the latest being Tony and Felicity, a couple from Brisbane who recently secured an apartment at Crest Broadbeach.

“We were always determined to retire on the Coast somewhere,” Tony said.

After years of research and short-term stays in various coastal suburbs, they decided on Broadbeach as the ideal location for retirement. 

"We made the decision to buy off the plan to ensure we were able to purchase the type of modern unit we were looking for at the height and location within the building we wanted," explained Tony. 

After deciding to both buy off the plan and live in Broadbeach, it was a case of researching what was available, where abouts in Broadbeach they wanted to be located, and most importantly, the developers behind the building.

"We were looking for a developer with integrity, ethics, and good quality control in their building practice."

"Morris Property Group had a proven track record of reliability around project delivery, and that was important to us."

The couple visited the onsite display suite, onsite at 15 Armrick Avenue, and spoke to Morris Sales Executive, Sandra Marshall, who not only talked them through the development but also helped them understand how the off the plan buying process works.

“Sandra was extremely knowledgeable about Gold Coast developments and aligned with our independent research," Felicity noted.

"She wasn’t just telling us what we wanted to hear but provided honest and professional insight throughout the process.”

Having lived on the northern side of Brisbane, Crest’s location just outside the busy heart of the Gold Coast was a major factor for Tony and Felicity, as was its proximity to the Broadbeach Bowls Club, where they believe they will meet like-minded retirees and become part of a local community.

Crest sits 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. On top of the Broadbeach Bowls Club, which has stood as the focal point of Broadbeach since the mid-1950s, there's Nikiforides Family Park, Broadbeach Croquet Club, and the Broadbeach Life Saving Club

“The development suited our criteria nicely, being located in an area with a 'community feel' rather than a popular holiday location,” Felicity added. 

Crest Broadbeach has sold more than half of its 184 two and three-bedroom apartments since and is already under construction through Morris Property's in-house construction arm.

Crest Broad is expected to complete in late-2026.

Tony and Felicity took part in Urban's Buyer Q&A series which focuses on the driving factors behind Buying off the plan property in Australia.