Residential village
Australia's first built-to-rent community
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village has been transformed into Australia’s first build-to-rent community – Smith Collective – a vibrant residential and retail village and an ideal place to live, work, study and play within the Precinct.
Developed by one of Australia’s leading private developers Grocon, on behalf of the Queensland Government, the $550 million Parklands development successfully played host to 6,600 athletes and officials.
Now transformed into an exciting master-planned community managed by leading property innovators JLL, the Smith Collective reinvents rental, offering 1252 apartments and town-homes and a retail and dining precinct that will enliven the main streets and help create a 24/7 environment for collaboration, inspiration and recreation.
Amenties
Seven hectares of parkland with walking paths and public art surround the residences and the vibrant village heart is flanked by the 9.5 hectares that are being developed for health and knowledge commercial investment.
The new community will be home to approximately 2,500 residents and offers residents access to a community centre, rooftop terrace, BBQ’s, four pools, gym and fitness areas and a running track.
A program of events will create a vibrant community atmosphere and celebrate the enviable Gold Coast lifestyle.
A mix of one, two and three bedroom dwellings are set to be available on the rental market from early 2019.
Main Park - Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct (image courtesy John Gollings)
Lifestyle
Architecture
In conceiving the Parklands project, the design team sought to channel the colour, vitality and emotion of the 1970s Gold Coast.
The vivid colour palette draws from local flora and fauna: the neon green of the red-eyed tree frog and reds and yellows of indigenous grevilleas and melaleucas.
It also references the neon advertising boards which were prevalent along the Surfers Paradise streetscapes, such as the iconic signage from the Pink Poodle motel.
Village Heart
The Parklands development is centred around a new village heart, whose hero is the “disc”, a sculptural element which recalls the rock formations and waterfalls of Natural Bridge at Springbrook National Park.
Wrapping around the village heart is the “arbour”, a twisting, golden double helix which continues conceptually throughout the entire Parklands site: it is the DNA strand which ties the whole precinct together.
Images and information courtesy John Gollings and Arm Architecture.
Australia's Gold Coast
From beaches to rainforests, food and dining, art and culture, sport and climate, the Gold Coast lifestyle is unsurpassed.
Lifestyle and convenience
Smith Collective Retail Precinct
With a full-service Woolworths supermarket at its centre, the retail precinct will include Main Street frontages and outdoor alfresco dining spaces in a lively urban setting.
Green Spaces
135,000 - trees planted
7 ha - green space around residential community
84 ha - open space in the precinct
13 km - off-road cycling tracks
8.3km - on-road cycleways
Transport
The Precinct is serviced by two light rail stations as well as buses, connecting to the Southport CBD and Surfers Paradise as well as heavy rail to Brisbane. With easy access to the M1 via Smith Street, commuting is convenient.
Accommodation, Entertainment, Sport & Recreation
Southport Sharks
The GCHKP is home to one of Queensland’s largest clubs, the Southport Sharks, offering a premier entertainment, dining, accommodation and sports precinct, hosting one million visitors annually, with over 55,000 members.
Mantra at Sharks
The new Mantra at Sharks boasts 120 hotel rooms and suites, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Gold Coast including the Surfers Paradise skyline and the beautiful hinterland, along with spacious, light-filled meeting rooms, ideal for board meetings, annual general meetings and secretariats and break out rooms for conferences.
Sport & Recreation
Griffith University’s sporting facilities include the Griffith University Athletics track, a national standard facility with synthetic track, throwing cage and jumping equipment; Griffith Aquatic Centre, boasting a state-of-the-art Olympic pool and functional fit centre with the UniFitness gym, operated by the Student Guild and open to students, staff and the general community.
Dining
Griffith University offers nine cafe and dining outlets, including G’s Restaurant and Café, while cafe and convenience food outlets are also available at both hospitals.
The new Village Retail will offer an exciting mix of cafe and dining options, anchored by a full-service Woolworths supermarket.
