This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
MAX Beck’s BeckDev has slashed the size of its Palais development and lobbed revised plans with Gold Coast Council for the site once at the heart of Coolangatta’s social scene.
The Palais development application, which was first lodged in November 2021, is earmarked for a 2,355 sqm site at 31-35 McLean Street.
Responding to the latest Council request to reduce the building even further in height, BeckDev is now submitting plans for a 17-storey tower, down from the 22 storeys originally proposed and the subsequent revised 20-storey design that it said 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 from the originally proposed 75.5 metres to 58.75 metres, and the result will be the project being further reduced to 132 apartments – a notable drop from the 174 apartments originally planned and the subsequently 159 apartments that Council rejected.
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, bringing to life a part of Coolangatta’s history that has remained lost for more than 70 years.
“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,” BeckDev said.
Changes to the plans also include greater 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 it said either meet or exceed council requirements. It has also adjusted 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.
Council received two petitions against the original tower design, totalling 478 signatures.
“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.”
Designed by architectural firm BDA, Palais will have a range of one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences that take advantage of the site’s prime coastal location in the heart of Coolangatta, close to the world-renowned surf beach.
Residential facilities over two separate levels will include office pods, a pool, gym, theatre, private dining function rooms, kids play area and barbecue breakout areas that offer views across the bay to the Surfers Paradise skyline.
Among BeckDev founders Ben and Max Beck’s portfolio is the restoration of 333 Collins Street in Melbourne, which saw an office tower developed above a revitalised 1890s city building.
