The Villa on Gold Coast to be redeveloped into new residential precinct
A DEVELOPMENT that includes more than 1600 homes — the equivalent of three Q1 towers — along the banks of the Nerang River is about to change the face of the city’s west.
Developer Nifsan has lodged an application with council to build one of the largest single developments on the Gold Coast at the Villa golf course site.
Nifsan hopes to use a 23-hectare site off Eden Court near the Nerang train station to create a series of towers across two precincts. Residential heights are expected to range between 6-18 storeys in the Villa precinct and 5-10 levels in the bordering Bowden Street area.
The Villa precinct will have space for 1314 dwellings and the Bowden St area will house another 304.
Despite the density, Nifsan said it wanted to leave a majority of the site as open space, allowing for future development.
Nifsan chief operating officer Louise Bird said the project would be the last of company founder and developer Toshiaki Ogasawara’s Australian holdings to be sold off. “We want to leave a lasting legacy and leave part of this private residence here on the Gold Coast,” Ms Bird said.
“Hopefully in time when the development is built there will remain some of his original intent for the land.”
It is understood part of the existing golf course will be retained.
A development application has been submitted to the Gold Coast City Council to allow for works to prepare the site for the future development.
The site could include commercial space, shops, a laundromat, medical centre, food shops and aged accommodation.
However, the size of the development has already raised concerns from area councillor Bob La Castra.
“The height and density are of concern,” he said.
“Obviously with its location close to the railway station it would be suited to higher density than many other projects but at the same time it is something we will have to look at.
“Council recently approved another development nearby which was also proposed for large scale and density but was heavily modified and I believe that this decision was far more in keeping with what suits the area.”
Public comment opened yesterday and will run until September 21.
Council city planning boss Cameron Caldwell said the development would be thoroughly assessed in coming months. “We welcome the interest of Nifsan in developing this key site,” he said.
“Council will review this application and make a decision in due course.”
The Villa was once one of the Gold Coast’s top venues in addition to its golf course.
Before closing in 2012 it hosted the wedding of surf icon Mick Fanning.
Source: Professionals
