La Mer Main Beach receives green light with refreshed design

Following a highly publicised battle with council, developers Polites Property Group and QNY Group have received development approval for their luxury Main Beach project, La Mer. 

The new and improved building design will comprise a boutique offering of 22 apartments across 25 levels. Each of the residences will include three-bedrooms, three-bathrooms, and a multi-purpose room. 

The application for this residential development was initially knocked back in December 2021. After this happened, developers appealed the decision with the Planning and Environment Court. What followed was extensive negotiation and a redesign of the project. 

Now that this new project has been given the gren light, construction is set to commence in May, 2023. 

Polites Property Group director Alex Polites said that these negotiations with council resulted in a design that is improved and superior to the original. 

“Our decision to appeal the council’s decision was a time consuming and tedious process with a host of challenges and negotiations including additional changes on our revised designs, however, we stayed patient and positive throughout the process in order to ensure the best possible outcome for our buyers”, says Mr Polites. 

“It would have been easier just to walk away and sell the site, but we took comfort knowing we were not the only developer facing such difficulties with an unprecedented amount of code assessable developments going through the appeal process at the time. 

“Instead, we utilised the process as an opportunity to get a new team onboard with the appointment of renowned architect Plus, along with landscape architect Urbis to integrate the feedback we had previously received from the market into the new design.

“The result is a far superior apartment offering in a far more boutique building, and importantly, approval from council allowing us to get construction underway in May.” 

Plus Architecture director Danny Juric believes that La Mer has taken on a grand new form exuding exclusivity and refinement as a result of collaboration with council in the design process. 

“The process of redesigning La Mer posed a unique opportunity to create an elevated level of luxury while improving the liveability and accessibility of the building’s features taking into consideration its idyllic beachside location,” said Mr Juric. 

“Having less apartments meant we could indulge the process of refinement to really hone the design elements that allude to luxury such as elevated interiors, organic sculptural elements, and an inviting ground floor and lobby that blends effortlessly with the surrounding lush ground floor landscaping.”

According to NPA Projects director Andrew Erwin, developers and the sales team are currently consulting with existing buyers. The remaining apartments are set to be launched to the market in the new year. 

Mr Erwin said, “La Mer represents an exclusive opportunity for buyers to share in a boutique, high-end offering in one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after beachside suburbs. 

“Not only has the building itself been crafted to positively contribute to the current gentrification of Main Beach, but residents and locals alike will benefit from the unique laneway design that has been integrated into the new pans. It will provide direct pedestrian access from Tedder Ave to the beach, and this will be a welcome addition to the ongoing rejuvenation of the suburb.” 

The remaining apartments at La Mer are set to be launched to the market in the new year. 

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Header image courtesy of QNY Group.