There were more trucks than planes parked at the Gold Coast Airport the past two Saturdays, as two million litres of concrete was delivered for the foundations of the airport’s $50 million Rydges-branded hotel.
More than 330 trucks delivered approximately 2,050 cubic metres of concrete – or enough to fill 200,000 suitcases – on the first two Saturdays of June.
The completion of the 3,000 square metre concrete slab marked an important milestone for the project and paves the way for the hotel to rise from the ground.
Queensland Airports Limited Executive General Manager Property and Infrastructure, Carl Bruhn, said the task required considerable coordination.
“The most challenging part of this project was its location, in the middle of a busy airport precinct,” he said.
“Meticulous planning went into making sure the airport continued to run smoothly while a massive logistical exercise took place on its doorstep.”
Trucks were dispatched from north and south of the site – Burleigh Heads and Chinderah – to minimise the traffic impact on roads leading to the airport.
It took a team of roughly 100 workers on-location during both weekends in order to get the job done both quickly and efficiently. Local construction company, Condev, is building the hotel on behalf of developer, Trepang.
Condev Construction Executive Chairman, Steve Marais said his team was extremely proud to be awarded the construction of Gold Coasts Airport’s first hotel.
“It will be very rewarding and exciting to be part of the first airport hotel in such an iconic location,” he said.
The 192-room hotel, which will rise to the south of the airport site, will connect via a plaza area to the expanded terminal.
The hotel will measure seven storeys and will be topped by a rooftop bar and viewing deck, with views over Kirra Beach to the east and across the runway to the west.
It was designed to reflect a uniquely Gold Coast character offering subtropical, resort style architecture.
In connecting with this vision, a palette of natural materials featuring light, clear glazing, crisp concrete edges, screening features and articulated metal work will be used.
The highly-anticipated airport hotel is on track to open in mid-2020.