The Gold Coast looks set to get its own Trump Tower in a move that will divide the community.
Donald Trump’s son Eric confirmed on the social media platform X that plans were well advanced to develop the Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast.
The Trumps will be teaming up with Altus Property Group, led by property industry stalwart David Young, to build a 91-storey tower at Trickett Street, Surfers Paradise. The site was previously home to the now-demolished Iluka Resort.
The tower proposal, which is yet to be lodged with the council, let alone gain council approval, is reportedly set to comprise a mix of apartments, hotel rooms and shops.
The announcement has led to an outcry from the opposing side,s with two petitions placed on the website change.org.au, with one calling on the council and the State Government to reject the project, while a second offering support for the development.
The anti-Trump petition already has more than 50,000 signatories.
Altus Property Group says the tower will be the “first ultra-luxury address” for “Australia’s iconic Gold Coast”.
“Framed by world-renowned beaches and the city’s celebrated coastal lifestyle, this landmark destination will deliver an exceptional residential and globally renowned hospitality and service experience unlike anything seen in Australia,” the company says.
Mr Young is a well-known property figure on the Gold Coast. Originally from Central Queensland, Young first rose to fame as the founder of Young Land Corporation.
Young Land Corporation was one of the many developers to collapse during the Global Financial Crisis. At the time of its collapse, Young Land had a potential development pipeline on its books of 2000 homes, but unfortunately could not raise the cash to repay the bank loans when property values fell.
Earlier this year, Mr Young said Surfers Paradise needed a dramatic overhaul.
“I live in Surfers Paradise, and it looks like a dump,’’ he wrote.
“It’s filled with crappy shops and nick-nack stores, and there’s a constant turnover of tenants as landlords try to claw as much rent as they can.
“Why is this happening? Surfers is one of those iconic parts of Australia that visitors like to see: Uluru, Sydney Opera House, Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach… and Surfers’ Paradise.
“We have this jewel on the Gold Coast: beautiful beaches, serviced by lots of hotel rooms and apartments, and filled with restaurants and bars. Even the Surfers Paradise surf lifesaving clubs are fantastic places to grab a meal and a drink. And yet we let the whole place become rundown and unloved?
“I’m pushing for a revamp, a do-over of Surfers Paradise. To achieve this, we’ll need the input of the Queensland government, Gold Coast City Council and all the businesses that rely on this famous area.”
https://www.thegcminute.com.au/p/gold-coast-set-to-get-a-trump-tower