COVID-19 has failed to derail plans for a string of new Queensland residential projects totalling more than $1 billion.

Among them is a $200 million residential hub within the master-planned Pelican Waters development at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

Known as The Cove, the first stage of the project includes 36 luxury residences and 16 terrace homes.

Developer and fourth-generation Sunshine Coast family, the Henzells, said they were undeterred by the COVID-19 crisis.

At a glance: 

• A string of Queensland developments are progressing despite the COVID-19 crisis. 
• The Cove at Pelican Waters, Natura at Burleigh Heads and Serenity on the Gold Coast's North Shore have already received significant enquiry from buyers, according to the developers.
• Andrew Bell, CEO of Ray White Surfers Paradise Group, said he was witnessing an influx of buyers from southern states planning to move to the Gold Coast in the wake of COVID-19.

“We haven’t even got Development Approval and we have people lining up to buy the first stage of our $200 million Cove community within Pelican Waters,” says Mclean Henzell, Director of HM Developments.
 
“The project is code assessable and we expect to receive approval in a matter of weeks and we will be pressing ahead regardless of what others are doing.

"We know the demand is there for the product we are offering and we can’t wait to get going.”
 
Another project targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers who appear relatively immune from the economic impacts of the pandemic is the $77 million Natura project on the Burleigh Heads Esplanade.

Launched in March this year, sold 25 of the 33 high-end, half-floor residences in its exclusive project on the Burleigh Heads Esplanade.

The Natura Project on the Burleigh Heads Esplanade. Source: Spyre Group

The majority of apartments were sold to downsizers who appear to be unhindered by the economic fallout impacting on other property market sectors across the country.
 
The sales campaign has also resulted in Brisbane-based Spyre Group fast-tracking its demolition and construction program – this week announcing the appointment of Gold Coast construction company CONDEV to build Natura, a 17-storey residential tower selling only three-bedroom apartments.
 
CONDEV will begin a three-month demolition program early next month – in the process tearing down a nine-level apartment building built in 2004 by Mimi Macpherson, the sister of Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson.

Spyre Group Director Andrew Malouf said they were hoping the project would be available to buyers by the beginning of 2022.

“The COVID-19 crisis has had no impact whatsoever on our sales program and this is due to the market we targeted – owner-occupiers who generally have established, secure savings and are not reliant on income or the banks," he said.
 
“These are people who are in a position to get on with their lives despite what’s going on around them and they are doing just that.

On the northern Gold Coast, Brisbane-based developers Kelyin Group and Kinstone Developments are gearing up to launch the long-awaited $650 million Serenity 4212 project on the North Shore – a project which has seen over 1,050 pre-launch inquiries since the start of March.

An artist's impression of the Serenity Development. Source: Azzura

Serenity will offer 110 blocks on a pristine parcel of land nestled between Lake Serenity and the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area. 

Due to the limited waterfront land availability in the area, Serenity will become the final master-planned, waterfront development in the Gold Coast’s North Shore. 

Tony Ashwin, Director of selling agency Ashwin Property, said the inquiry rate had been "unbelievable".

“It’s a supply and demand equation on the Gold Coast’s North Shore,” he said.

“Outside of Sanctuary Cove, there are less than 40 remaining waterfront blocks on the northern Gold Coast.”
 
“People have known about this amazing offering for a long time and we have been completing major site works implementations before we launch in a few weeks from now."
 
And finally, one of the city’s most seasoned developers Robert Badalotti is preparing to launch what is being described as ‘the new cosmopolitan heart’ of the Gold Coast’s CBD of Southport – a $155 million residential, commercial and hotel offering, to be known as Imperial Square.

Imperial Square will ultimately be a $1.2 billion development and include Australia’s tallest tower.

Mr Badalotti's company Azzura has delivered more than 2,600 residential dwellings, 24 commercial projects and six international resorts over the past 30 years.

Having won numerous awards for excellence in design, Azzura’s extensive project portfolio includes the Mantra Wings and Wyndham resorts in Surfers Paradise and the Azzura Greens Resort in Hope Island.

Andrew Bell, CEO of Ray White Surfers Paradise Group, said he was witnessing an influx of buyers from southern states planning to move to the Gold Coast in the wake of COVID-19.

“With many people now out of work and with more time on their hands, they are using this time to re-assess where they want to reside and the Gold Coast is proving to be an attractive destination to accommodate their lifestyle change," he said.

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