Aniko Group lodges development application for $1.5 billion landmark Mermaid Beach project

A landmark $1.5 billion project proposed by Aniko Group for a prominent infill site at Mermaid Beach is a step closer after the company this week lodged a development application for the master-planned lifestyle and commercial development.

The Gold Coast developer is ramping up plans for the 1.1342ha site on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Seaside Avenue to create a new destination precinct where locals and visitors will live, work, and play in the heart of the city’s bustling central beachside suburbs.

The development application lodged with the City of Gold Coast has been refined by Aniko Group to deliver four towers of 25, 30, 40 and 53 levels, and will see the creation of a mixed-use development comprising residential apartments, a luxury hotel, offices, and a food, beverage, and retail vicinity.

The four towers, which are designed by award-winning firm Plus Architecture, will feature 973 apartments across range of layouts from one to three bedrooms, as well as an exclusive collection of three-bedroom-plus-study sky homes, sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Apartments have been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers from sea changers, owner-occupier lifestyle seekers, downsizers, investors, and lock-and-leave holiday homeowners. The apartments will range in size from 60sqm for one-bedroom apartments to more than 500sqm for penthouses.

Given the scale of the development, the proposed amenities will be extensive and more akin to an integrated resort.

Residents will have access to world-class amenity on an expansive recreation podium that will be truly unmatched on the Gold Coast. The podium will service all four towers, offering a central resort-style lagoon pool, separate lap pool, sauna, steam room and a large gym.

The recreation podium will also provide extensive recreational amenities for residents and hotel guests including a bowling alley, a teen arcade, a Treasure Island kids’ play area with a Lazy River kids’ lagoon, and a multi-use court that will accommodate half-court basketball, volleyball and pickleball.

A residents’ lounge, with work-from-home facilities, will be complemented by breakout seating areas throughout, including a dedicated firepit.

The ground floor will offer world-class fine dining that utilises more than 100 metres of waterfront presence to the west of the property facing Pacific Fair, creating a must-visit location that further enhances the existing lifestyle and dining facilities in nearby central Broadbeach.

“With the support of GCCC, we intend to reinvigorate the existing Pacific Fair Drive with retail, food and beverage tenancies which will invite and encourage pedestrian movement along our site and towards the canal edge.” said Aniko Group managing director George Mastrocostas.

The mixed-use development will also include more than 10,000sqm of commercial A-grade office space, leveraging off the site’s prime position along the Gold Coast light rail while bolstering supply in a tightening Gold Coast office market.

“The inclusion of a commercial component to the project will create a local hub for a range of businesses and services located within walking distance to accessible public transport,” said Mr Mastrocostas.

The theme of connectivity has been the focus of the proposed masterplan, to create a vibrant new lifestyle precinct that meets the needs of a range of market segments.

“With these lifestyle and connectivity considerations key components of the master plan, this project will certainly be a game-changer for Mermaid Beach as residents and visitors can live, work, eat and play all within the same vicinity,” Mr Mastrocostas.

Aniko Group plan to deliver the project in four purposely individual stages over the next six years.

“Pending council approvals, we plan to launch the first stage in late 2023 and we are expecting to welcome our first residents by 2025,” said Mr Mastrocostas.

“We believe the proposed plan will provide a unique and highly curated experience for both residents and workers of the development and the local community beyond.”

The first stage will comprise the 30-level tower with 175 apartments offering one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts.

Aniko Group lodged the development application with the City of Gold Coast on Friday, December 23.