The Agency stakes claim on $111m Northcliffe Residences set to rise on the Gold Coast

FRESHLY minted real estate brand The Agency has signalled its ambitious plans for the Gold Coast after snaring one of the city’s flagship residential projects, Northcliffe Residences, as a client.Co-founded by former McGrath senior executives including projects leader Steven Chen, The Agency has the dynamic Gold Coast market in its sights, with an office due to open imminently.“The Gold Coast is Australia’s growth market where there is so much activity and interest, generated in part by the city’s hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the general confidence in the local economy,” Mr Chen said.“Our extensive project marketing and sales expertise will be game-changing for the Gold Coast and welcomed by developers.“We are finalising a remarkable team that has been involved in some of the signature projects on the Gold Coast over the last decade such as the iconic Oracle and Soul developments, ensuring we can deliver.”Now a director of The Agency and leading its projects division, Mr Chen has been appointed by China-based developer CNCQ to sell the remaining stock in the prestigious Northcliffe Residences, a beachfront project he launched and sold successfully while with McGrath Projects.Set to rise on the beach just minutes from the heart of Surfers Paradise, the $111 million upscale apartment tower has been one of the best-selling projects on the Gold Coast in the past 18 months with $60 million in pre-sales achieved on Mr Chen’s watch.Mr Chen said he was thrilled to be re-engaging under The Agency brand with a project that he had been involved with since its release to the market.“Northcliffe Terraces is undoubtedly one of the most successful, prestigious and unique apartment projects on the Gold Coast,” he said.“Its unmatched location, quality and facilities will continue to resonate strongly with the owner-occupier market and I am excited to have the opportunity to see Northcliffe Residences through to its conclusion.”Project director Graham Goldman, of Eastview Australia, said the developer was delighted to have Mr Chen back on board at Northcliffe Residences ahead of the construction phase beginning.“Steven masterminded a sales strategy that ensured we had pre-sales beyond what was required to begin construction of Northcliffe Residences,” Mr Goldman said.“We are looking forward to working with him and The Agency to continue the sales success that the project has experienced thus far.”The Agency, which was established in January this year, has more than 140 staff and plans to expand this to 600 by 2019. It currently has five offices in Sydney and Perth with plans to open an office at Albert Park in Melbourne and Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.The Agency is led by Mr Chen, Mat Lahood, Ben Collier and Shad Hassen, all former McGrath agents who together bring more than 80 years’ experience in the property industry to the business.Mr Goldman said construction of the 25-level Northcliffe Residences would begin imminently, with an announcement on the building contractor to be made soon.Designed by renowned architect Cottee Parker, Northcliffe Residences will offer luxury 75 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, a two-level penthouse with private rooftop pool and entertaining terrace, and four whole-floor sub-penthouses.Residents will have private access to exclusive facilities at a stunning Beach Club equipped with a gymnasium, steam room, sauna, lounge, dining room, surfboard storage, and an infinity pool and terrace flowing directly to the beach.