Gallery Group Reveals New Gold Coast Project Detour

Queensland-based developer Gallery Group is proving something of a master in the art of pivoting when it comes to a prime beachside holding on the Gold Coast. The saga of its Surfers Paradise site has taken yet another twist. During the past three years, an array of approvals have been granted for the vacant 2071sq m parcel—ranging from luxury residential towers of varying heights to, most recently, an upmarket six-storey backpackers hostel. In its latest development detour, Gallery Group—led by Adam Barclay—has filed plans for 18 terraced five-storey homes, each comprising three bedrooms and five bathrooms. Under the proposal, a community titles scheme would be created for the individual residential lots within three arch-filled rows of six attached homes, which the architectural plans prepared by Joseph May Design indicate would also each feature rooftop terraces with a multipurpose indoor area and outdoor recreation space. Parking would be provided for a total of 36 cars—two garage spaces under each of the 18 terrace homes at ground level along with laundry facilities. Two bedrooms and bathrooms would be accommodated on level one, living, dining and kitchen areas on level two, and master bedroom and ensuite on level three. “It is evident that delivering a more intense development outcome on the site has presented several feasibility challenges,” the application prepared by Zone Planning Group said. ▲ Rendering of Gallery Group's latest proposed scheme for the site at 205-211 Surf Parade, Surfers Paradise. “These include complexities associated with construction, extended delivery timeframes, and building costs. In response, the landowner is pursuing an alternative housing typology that enables a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to developing the site. “The proposed small lot subdivision supports a simplified built form outcome [that] is more efficient to deliver and reduces construction timeframes. “Additionally, the proposed subdivision model allows for the creation of standard format lots prior to construction being completed, thereby assisting with funding arrangements and reducing the overall risk profile of the development.” According to the planning documents, the proposed development would be delivered in three stages to “ensure certainty of outcome of the built form, eliminating any potential that an alternative design will/could be constructed on any given lot”. Amid tumultuous market conditions during recent years, Gallery Group has made a string of changes to its development plans for the site at 205-211 Surf Parade. Its previous schemes included two residential towers, both of which it had upsized to 27 and 36 storeys, respectively, to “maintain financial feasibility … in the face of inflated construction costs”. ▲ Renderings of two of Gallery ’ s previously approved schemes for the Surf Parade site. Approval was originally granted for a single 36-storey tower in February, 2022 but within a few months it was back before the council, redesigned as a tandem tower development. The latest proposal supersedes multi-storey plans for “high-quality hotel/backpacker style accommodation”—dubbed the “Noon GC” hostel comprising 91 bedrooms with a total of 429 beds—given the green light in May. “While it is acknowledged the proposed development outcome represents a reduction in scale and intensity compared to previously approved outcomes for the site, the revised approach follows a comprehensive feasibility review by the applicant,” the documents said. “The reduced scale enhances project feasibility, lowers development risk, and enables faster delivery timeframes. “While not a highrise development, the proposal introduces additional housing choice within the locality, contributing positively to the residential character and meeting market demand for alternative, small-lot housing typologies.”

Gallery Group Reveals New Gold Coast Project Detour

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