$1.2b Spirit super tower launched to global market

One of the largest residential apartment towers ever launched on the Gold Coast, the $1.2 billion Spirit in the heart of Surfers Paradise, has been officially launched to the global market.The 479, 89-level Spirit super tower, being developed by Foriseland was opened on Friday July 6th, with attendance from key political figures such as Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister the Honourable Steven Ciobo MP, State Tourism and Minister the Honourable Kate Jones MP, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Tourism Australia Chairman Bob East.More than 400 VIPs and business leaders attended the official opening at an exclusive launch function at the Gold Coast’s Palazzo Versace today.Jason Xiao, Foriseland general manager of marketing, said he was delighted to launch Spirit – Australia’s third tallest residential tower at 303 metres from sea level - as the company’s debut Australian project.He said the economic benefits to the Gold Coast would be in the billions of dollars over the next decade.“After three years of planning and 18 months of foundation construction work we are delighted to announce the launch of Spirit – a project without peer on the Australian residential landscape,” said Mr Xiao.“Foriseland is delighted to have been embraced by the community which understands the enormous economic benefits that Spirit will bring to the city not only during the three-year construction phase but for many years to come.”Independent research by MacroPlan Dimasi shows that over the course of the three-year construction program some 945 full-time jobs offered both onsite and offsite will be created.An additional 585 ongoing full-time jobs will be created in retail, restaurant, residential and accommodation services.International architect DBI, responsible for the likes of Etihad Towers in Dubai, Oracle in Broadbeach and Palazzo Versace in Main Beach, have designed Spirit.Mr Xiao said Spirit would be a defining project for the Gold Coast with enormous economic spinoffs for the Gold Coast and Queensland.“Many years of planning have gone into the creation of this project and Foriseland and the projects team is delighted to have reached this point in the cycle to bring Spirit to the market,” said Mr Xiao.“The ongoing benefits include an additional $62 million in tourism expenditure when the project is completed through the extra 248,000 visitor nights per annum it will generate for the Gold Coast.”Spirit is aiming to attract a strong cohort of affluent international tourists, and when completed the project will be populated by high-end retail and fine dining restaurants as it activates the foreshore area of Surfers Paradise south to Trickett Street.Ongoing benefits include an additional $62 million tourism boost into the Gold Coast economy upon project completion, seeing 248,000 visitors per annum which is expected to generate business growth across local retail, dining and tourism hubs.Spirit will soar 89 storeys and 303 metres above sea level with a wave-inspired façade that is destined to create a new Gold Coast landmark. It is the third highest building behind Gold Coast’s Q1 and Melbourne’s Australia 108, which is under construction.It will feature an unheralded 2700 square metres of residents’ facilities over three floors, including rooftop facilities.Spirit will have the highest dwelling residential apartments in Queensland and is the tallest five-star green star accredited building in Australia.Additional luxury pay-per-use services will be available to residents, including car washing and detailing, babysitting, newspaper deliveries, pet vacation care and grooming.Butlers will be available to individual apartments upon request, as well as personal grocery shopping and flower arrangement deliveries.The rooftop level of Spirit will offer residence exclusive access to panoramic views of 52 kilometres of Gold Coast coastline accompanied with pools, bars, a cocktail lounge, banquet room and an extravagant wine and champagne cellar.Spirit will be Gold Coast’s most sought after location for weddings, business conferences and special events.The project has commenced construction on the iconic former Iluka site, bound by Hanlan St, Northcliffe Tce and Trickett St, with a spectacular beachfront display next to Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Apartments are now selling.The project is being marketed exclusively by Queensland’s largest real estate agency, the Ray White Surfers Paradise Group, and the company’s projects arm – Ray White Projects. Prices start at $1.175 million.