Devine’s High Hopes for Gold Coast Over-55s Trio of Towers

The vertical retirement village is by no means a new concept on the Gold Coast skyline.

But with his vision for a $1.5-billion triple tower over-55s development at Southport, veteran Queensland developer David Devine is significantly upping the maturing sector’s ante.

His scheme is not only a scale play but a potential paradigm shift for purpose-built seniors living—taking it to a new highrise, high-amenity level.

Under the plans before the City of Gold Coast, it would comprise three towers of 54, 43 and 59 storeys delivering 634 independent living apartments above a shared mixed-use podium.

It is earmarked for a 1.44ha site—formerly occupied by the Star of the Sea Catholic convent school—across the road from the Broadwater Parklands at 60 Marine Parade, Southport.

In a deal reportedly worth about $60 million, Devine acquired the long-dormant parcel late last year from the Australian arm of China’s Huixin Real Estate Group—which had an approval in hand for a multi-tower residential and retail project that never progressed.

He has wasted no time engaging architecture studio DKO to design what he has described as a “vertically integrated wellness environment”.

“Each tower is very sculptural in shape and appearance,” the documents said.

“Broadly speaking, the development is intended to cater for, and be highly attractive to, wealthy retirees and downsizers and will positively contribute to the city’s housing choice, both in terms of providing a unique housing product and freeing up detached housing.”

Devine is betting big that the next vertical frontier of retirement living development on the Gold Coast lies in luxury and longevity.

At the heart of the proposal would be more than 13,000sq m of health, wellness and lifestyle space embedded into the scheme as terraces, mid-tower retreat levels and rooftop spaces all programmed for activity and social engagement.

The amenities would include multipurpose studios for yoga, pilates, meditation and group fitness, recovery suites, spa and bathhouse facilities, as well as private cinemas, symposium rooms, curated libraries and dining venues, gaming and recreation spaces, and even pet grooming areas.

▲ Renderings of David Devine's proposed over-55s triple tower plans for Southport's long-dormant former Star of the Sea school site.

“The proposal includes truly world-class, state-of-the-art, multi-faceted wellness facilities which will compete with and improve upon famous facilities from around the world,” a planning report prepared by Urban Planning Services said.

Facilities, it cited, that would “compete with and better famous facilities in Switzerland (‘Chenot Palace Weggis’, ‘Therme Vals’ and ‘Hurlimannbad Spa’), Rome, Italy (‘Six Senses’), Japan (‘Beniya Mukayu Ryokan’ and ‘Aman’), and others in Australia (‘Total Fusion Platinum’, ‘Saint Haven’, and ‘Secret Garden’)”.

 “The facilities are expected to be the largest in the southern hemisphere,” the report said. “These facilities will be a fantastic asset for the city, tapping into the world-wide ‘wellness’ movement which has created a significant economy estimated … to be worth $9.6 trillion.”

Some of the proposed amenities would be publicly accessible while other components would be exclusive to on-site residents.

If given the green light, it would be the first project under Devine’s newly-established brand, DD Resort Living.

“This generation is healthier, more active and more lifestyle-driven than any before it, and they are not looking to slow down,” Devine said in a statement.

“They are looking to elevate their lifestyle, to live in an environment that supports longevity, vitality and connection. That requires a completely different approach to design.”

▲ Veteran Queensland developer David Devine.

“We have approached this as a vertical resort dedicated to wellbeing amenities embedded throughout the buildings, from the podium to mid-tower levels and up to the rooftop.

“Our focus has been on preventative health, social engagement and creating spaces where residents feel energised and inspired every day.”

And he has high hopes the proposal will “set a new benchmark for over-55s living, not only on the Gold Coast but nationally”.

Overall, the trio of towers would individually accommodate a mix of 224, 167 and 235 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

As well, about 9000sq m of commercial space is planned to activate the site and provide convenience retail, services and lifestyle amenity for residents and the broader Southport community.

To be delivered across four stages, the proposed development would also include 846 carparking spaces.

Meanwhile, down the coastal strip at Northcliffe, Devine’s $480 million, 104-apartment Royale Gold Coast beachfront tower is due for completion in the second quarter of 2026, and his $544 million Burly Residences project comprising 101 luxury units at Burleigh Heads is under construction and tracking towards completion in late 2027.