The sod has officially been turned on the $400 million Tower 2 development on the Gold Coast – a 63-storey mixed-use tower that will include an internationally-recognised five-star hotel brand with whom final negotiations are taking place.

Planned for a mid-to-late 2024 opening, Tower 2 will be built on the most south-eastern part of Broadbeach Island, and will feature 210 five-star hotel rooms and 457 apartments.

Multiplex has been awarded the contractor role for the build with site establishment works commencing this week, followed by initial demolition works starting in the next few weeks.

Tower 2 is forecast to create 1800 jobs during construction and 500 jobs once operational.

“Construction is absolutely vital to rebuilding our economy and creating local jobs on the Gold Coast,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, while attending the sod-turning event.

“We approved the masterplan for The Star Gold Coast because we know how important it is to partner with the private sector to deliver new tourism infrastructure in this city.”

“To have construction starting on multi-million-dollar developments like this just proves that business confidence on the Coast is strong. This is only possible thanks to the way Queenslanders have responded to the coronavirus pandemic,” she said.

“While other jurisdictions around the world continue to deal with deadly outbreaks of the virus, we’re able to focus on rebuilding our economy – rolling up the sleeves and getting back to work with great projects like this one.”

Artist’s impression The Star Gold Coast, courtesy of The Star Entertainment Group.

Environment Minister and Member for Gaven, Meaghan Scanlon, said new tourism infrastructure was crucial to ensuring the Gold Coast continued to be one of the most sought-after visitor destinations in the country.

“Our tourism and construction industries are cornerstones of the local economy here on the Coast,” Minister Scanlon said.

“This project won’t only deliver a shot-in-the-arm for our construction sector, it helps to ensure our tourism offering remains world-class.”

“Above all it’s about jobs. We’ll continue to work with the private sector to bring forward projects that will create jobs for local workers,” she commented.

The 210 hotel rooms will feature across the lower levels, while the 457 residential apartments, ranging from 55 square metres to 168 square metres, will form the upper levels.

Starting from level seven and spanning 14 levels, the new hotel will sit above a six-level podium featuring an active retail concourse, with direct connectivity to The Star Gold Coast’s other integrated resort offerings.