The Urban Developer reports on projects in Melbourne, Surfers Paradise and Sydney.

Warm Reception for New Sydney High-Rise Residences

Private lifts for five large penthouses are among features at Sydney’s Eighty-Eight by JQZ, for which sales launched in February. Located in the North Shore area and boasting views of Sydney Harbour, the development will consist of 47- and 26-story residential towers and a 15-story commercial/retail tower at 88 Christie Street across from St Leonards railway station. Approximately 70% of the 180 residential units in the first phase sold on launch day. The plan includes approximately 650 apartments in all. JQZ, headquartered in China, aims to break ground in August and complete the project by 2022.

Hotel, Apartment Towers Latest to Join Gold Coast Skyline

The city council in Gold Coast, Australia, has greenlit 34- and 46-story towers at 2-20 River Terrace in Surfers Paradise, a site owned by Chinese developer Sunnyland Group. The design by Plus Architecture features twisting, stainless-steel-like structures with horizontal bands. Known as River Terrace, the buildings will contain approximately 500 apartments, 280 hotel suites and five townhouses at the podium levels. Rooms will boast views of the ocean and Nerang River. Notable neighbors include the future tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, one of the Orion Towers (ELEVATOR WORLD, April 2017), which is 101 stories and already approved.

One of World’s Tallest Student Towers Planned in Melbourne

Geneva, Switzerland-based private-equity firm Pamoja Capital has purchased a piece of property in Melbourne on which it plans to build one of the world’s tallest student-housing towers. Previous owner Greenfort Capital will remain involved in development management at the “prime” site overlooking Queen Victoria Market at 478-488 Elizabeth Street. Envisioned is a 52-story building with approximately 860 student beds, as well as co-working space. Greenfort said it is encouraged by the strength of Melbourne’s education market and looks forward to working with Pamoja.