BeckDev lodges revised plans for Palais Coolangatta development

Developer BeckDev has made significant design concessions to its proposed Palais Coolangatta development, including a reduction in the height and scale of the project.

Responding to the latest councils request to reduce the building even further in height, BeckDev further concedes lowering the height of the project to 17 storeys from the 22 storeys originally proposed and the subsequent revised 20-storey design that sat comfortably within the skyline and in close proximity of an existing 24 storey building.

The reduction in floors and the number of apartments planned for Palais will see the height of the project slashed to 58.75 metres from the originally proposed 75.5 metres as BeckDev looks to meet council’s requests.

Amid an ongoing undersupply and shortfall of apartments available for rent and purchase, Palais will be further reduced to 132 apartments. This is considerably less than the 174 apartments originally planned by BeckDev and the subsequently further proposed reduction to 159 apartments that council rejected.

The Palais development application, which was first lodged in November 2021, is earmarked for a 2,355sqm site at 31-35 McLean Street.

The site is partly occupied by the Jazzland building, a former dance hall that was the heart of the Coolangatta social scene from the 1930s until it was closed in 1951.

BeckDev will retain the heritage building’s façade as part of the development, with the hall and stage of the former Jazzland Dance Palais to be restored to its former glory.

The restoration work which will bring to life a part of Coolangatta’s history that has remained lost for more than 70 years, will incorporate the existing original materials to maintain the authenticity of the dance hall that hosted revellers from the 1930s through to the 1950s.

The Palais project also presents a significant opportunity for local business patronage in the centre of Coolangatta.

Unlike the residential-zoned areas of Coolangatta, such as Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay, which have witnessed considerable development activity in recent years, the Coolangatta centre itself has experienced relatively limited revitalisation efforts over the past decade.

Among the key changes proposed by BeckDev for Palais are increased tower setbacks to the sides and rear of the development, as well as the Jazzland heritage façade, with setbacks ranging from 3.46 metres to 7.026 metres which either meet or exceed council requirements. Beckdev has also reduced the height of the podium and adjusted its setback from the heritage façade.

“We have amended the design to create a new plan that responds to community feedback, while in many instances exceeding council planning requirements,” said BeckDev’s Managing Director, Damian Dalgleish.

“Our commitment to Jazzland is saving a long forgotten past that retains and restores a heritage cultural use, that has been lost due to successive owners altering the building to suit their retail requirements with no consideration to the previous heritage values of the site.

“The authentic heritage restoration to the façade and hall provides a unique sense of place that celebrates the cultural heritage use of the Jazzland dance in the hall.”

Palais, designed by award-winning architectural firm BDA, will showcase a range of one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences that will take advantage of the development’s prime coastal location in the heart of Coolangatta and within close proximity to the world renowned  surf beach.

The residential development offering incorporates premium residential facilities over two separate levels, including office pods, a pool, gym, theatre, private dining function rooms, kids play area and barbecue breakout areas that offer stunning views across the bay to the Surfers Paradise skyline.

“Beckdev recognises being able to live, relax and work from home with all those facilities at your fingertips is what customers are now looking for,” said Mr Dalgleish.

Ben and Max Beck, the founders of BeckDev, are renowned for delivering quality and landmark developments in Sydney and Melbourne, including one of Australia’s most important heritage building restorations at 333 Collins Street in Melbourne.

BeckDev lodged its revised plan for Palais Coolangatta with the city council this week.