Multi-billion-dollar developer GURNER™ has formally submitted plans for its largest and most luxurious project to-date, in the form of a $1.25 billion 13,000sqm site in Budds Beach on the Gold Coast, to be called ‘La Pelago’.
Architecturally designed by Warren and Mahoney and with international landscape architecture firm SWA designing the incredible verdant landscaping and exterior amenity, ‘La Pelago’ centralises on a “private island” theme whereby each building is surrounded by over 9,000sqm of amenity, lush tropical landscaping and pool-side water retreats, creating four private islands each distinct in character and form.
The precincts will focus on a level of amenity and lifestyle akin to the world’s most secluded and elite private islands, creating a world-class experience that melds health, wellness and resort-style living with premium hotel services and amenity.
Revised plans for the 13,000sqm site, which is a joint venture with investment house Wingate, will include four towers ranging between 95 to 350 apartments, along with 200 5-star hotel keys, over 12,000sqm of resident and hotel amenity and over 5,500 of international hospitality and retail.
The product has been specifically created to target the local owner-occupier market, with a mix of generous two and three-bedroom floorplans.
The scheme is now before council planning with GURNER™ looking forward to working closely with council to finalise the plans, before aiming to launch the first stage of the billion-dollar precinct later this year.
The proposed scheme includes:
• 4 towers ranging from 29 to 57 levels and between 95 – 350 residences per building
• 200 hotel rooms
• Over 5,500sqm of retail, commercial, conferencing amenity, a day spa and business club
• A world-class retail precinct anchoring the ground plane
• 2,000sqm private health and wellness Club
• Over 12,000sqm of resident and hotel amenity across the four towers
The ground floor retail precinct will aim to transform Budds Beach into the Gold Coast’s most premium precinct for shopping, entertainment and dining, with plans for a curated stable of international designer brands, restaurants, dining experiences, wellness, health and concept stores interwoven through and connecting the ground plane.
Positioned ideally between the river and the sea, two of the towers will face directly over Budds Beach and the Nerang River, offering incredible sea and water views, with the other towers designed to maximise northern aspects and sunset views.
The developer is remaining tight-lipped about the details but promises La Pelago will be “a new world experience for a beachside precinct that will be unlike anything ever attempted in Australia before, with an international hotel name that will be a new entrant to the Australian market,” says GURNER™ CEO, Tim Gurner.
“ We are well progressed with an international EOI process with some of the world’s best five-star hotel brands, and we are very excited to announce more details in months to come.
“ We have spent the last eight years identifying opportunities to transform significant sites across Australia into luxury precincts well before others jump on the trend. Using this approach we’ve been fortunate to ride a significant upswing in luxury sales across our projects like St Moritz and Victoria & Vine in Melbourne, and large-format place-marking sites like FV in Brisbane.
“ La Pelago is the next evolution in this journey. We believe Budds Beach is the next frontier of luxury on the Coast and we are creating a $1.25billion precinct that will enable us to be at the forefront of this transformation.
“ La Pelago will allow us to draw on our unique experience in the retail, signature amenity and urban regeneration space, and apply it on a grand scale.
“ When designing the project it was really about me dreaming about where we all want to be right now and for me that is a hot and sunny luxury private island. Something that offers sun, pools, amazing service, luxury amenities and residences – something right now you cannot get in Australia,” Gurner said.
Of collaborating with USA-based, international landscape architects, SWA Group, Tim Gurner said “ I first learnt of SWA while staying at my two favourite hotels in the world, the Beverly Hills Hotel and Los Vantanas in Cabo. SWA designed both of the hotel landscapes and amenities and they have designed something here for us that will be simply spectacular.”
Warren and Mahoney has designed each building to express its own iconic architectural aesthetic, drawing on world-renowned resort buildings of Dubai, Singapore and Miami.
Warren and Mahoney design principal, Barrington Gohns, said “ Following the success of a number of collaborations in Melbourne and Sydney, we are thrilled to work with Tim and the team in Queensland for the first time as he continues to set the benchmark of lifestyle with every new release.
“ Whilst the Gold Coast is renowned for its immense high-rises, La Pelago’s design will provide much more immersive experiences with stunning attention to detail across the four towers. The design very much respects the crisp, natural island experience utilising integrated landscape and pools, lots of white, timber and glass in its form, with bespoke elements in each ‘island’.
“ The foundation of La Pelago is steeped in context and identity, acknowledging the tension between river and coastline, and the design only takes what it can give back. A strong focus on health wellness resonates throughout, along with a carbon neutral manifesto we continue to drive with GURNER™.”
Chuck McDaniel, managing principal at SWA Group said “ The full bounty of native vegetation of the Gold Coast will be on display as neighbours, visitors and residents explore La Pelago. Vibrant colours, fragrant aromas and unique plant species will populate the landscape in a memorable display of the flora of this unique biome of Australia.
“ The amenity level exclusively available to residents and guests will further elevate the wonderful garden which is La Pelago. Curated gardens will promote pollinator species and create a habitat for the unique songbirds found in this coastal region.
“ For those seeking the sun, many terraces provide solar escapes for gathering with family, friends or couples in any one of the private areas. The palms, shade trees and many flowering trees work in unison to create areas ranging from light to deep shade, for those who prefer being in the garden with less direct sun.
“ Several riverine formed swimming pools reflect the beautiful natural forms of the many estuaries which are found along the coastline.
“ Gardens, nature, sun and shade will work together in the memorable place known as La Pelago,” he said.
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