Harry on home straight at Brighton

Australia’s apartment’s king, Harry Triguboff, is 20 sales away from selling out the final tower in the biggest project he has completed in a long career, Brighton on the Broadwater on the Gold Coast.

The multi-level project, where buildings are laced through a 5.6ha site, was started 13 years ago and has nearly 1700 titles.

The Brighton land, formerly home to the Sundale shopping centre, was bought for $54.5 million in 2004.

The final tower, aptly named Sundale, was completed prior to Christmas and has 341 residential apartments and 208 Meriton Suites serviced apartments.

Mr Triguboff yesterday said that the 55-level Sundale tower was a case of leaving the best until last and that decision had proven a sales winner.

“The sales rate, or pace, there has surpassed anything we’ve achieved in the other Brighton buildings by a considerable amount.

“The old adage location, location, location is so true in Sundale’s case.

“We’ve delivered a 55-level tower with super apartments from which residents can absorb stunning views over the Broadwater and out to the ocean.”

Mr Triguboff said his Meriton group, on buying the former Sundale shopping centre site, set out to create a vibrant community.

“We’ve done that by adding in great recreation facilities, parks, and a retail precinct that offers everything from cafes and restaurants to a supermarket and even a medical centre and chemist.

“Our Sundale tower is a finalist in the Urban Taskforce development excellence awards and a win there later this month would really put the icing on the Brighton cake.”

The remaining Sundale apartments are between levels six and 34 and are either two-bedroom or two-bedroom- plus-study layouts.

They are priced from $540,000 to $728,000.

The peak price achieved at Sundale has been $1.05 million for a three-bedroom apartment.

Eunice Arden-Wood, Meriton’s Queensland sales manager, yesterday said that some Sundale buyers had bought adjoining apartments and merged them.

“One owner, as a result, has a home with four bedrooms and a study.”

Ms Arden-Wood said investors who had bought in Sundale were reaping strong rental returns.

“Our rents, from day one, have been at least $500 a week and, as more people appreciate what’s on offer, look like edging higher.

“Tenants are willing to pay a premium for a product such as Sundale, where they can climb in a lift and quickly access facilities such as pools, a gymnasium, barbecue areas, a childcare centre, shops and restaurants.

“Of course, having a light-rail station across the street that provides smooth access to both Surfers and Broadbeach is a big plus.

“Brighton also is adjacent to the Gold Coast Highway, giving residents who want to commute to Brisbane a travel head-start.”