Bastion Group wins approval for $200m, 30-storey Surfer tower in Surfers Paradise

What's happening

Bastion Group has secured Gold Coast City Council approval for Surfer, a 30-storey mixed-use tower at 27 Vista Street, Surfers Paradise. The project is valued at $200 million and forms part of a broader $500 million Gold Coast development program for the group.

The tower's design draws on a stack of surfboards, and surf athletes Dane Henry and Milla Coco Brown contributed creative input. The site sits close to the beachfront, the G:link light rail, Northcliffe Surf Club and the Surfers Paradise retail and entertainment core.

The key details

Studio Snell is the architect, and Bastion Group's in-house construction arm, Bastion Built, will deliver the project. Bastion Living will operate the building once complete. Chief executive Alex Wood said Surfers Paradise remains one of Australia's best-known lifestyle destinations.

• Residential apartments: 25
• Short-stay residences: 75
• Ground-floor retail and a signature restaurant
• Amenities include a gym, pool, private spa and plunge pool, and an owners' lounge
• Construction start: first quarter of 2027

Timeline and next steps

The approval was reported on 12 October 2026; the exact date of the council decision was not disclosed. Bastion plans to begin construction in the first quarter of 2027, and no completion date has been announced.

The approval follows the launch of Bastion's $184 million Nera project on Chevron Island, which recorded an $11.5 million penthouse sale. Wood said keeping construction in-house through Bastion Built lets the group maintain quality control from design through to delivery, and the group's operating arm will manage the short-stay residences after completion.

What it means for Gold Coast property owners and developers

The approval adds to a run of new tower projects across Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, signalling continued developer confidence in the Gold Coast's beachside core. The mix, weighted towards short-stay residences, reflects demand from visitors as well as owner-occupiers and investors.

For apartment owners in Surfers Paradise, new high-quality product can lift the profile of surrounding streets, though buyers will weigh it against established stock. Developers will be watching how the short-stay model performs once operating. Approved projects can still change in scope or timing before construction. This is general information, not financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Where will the Surfer tower be built?

At 27 Vista Street, Surfers Paradise, near the beachfront and the G:link light rail.

How many homes are in the Surfer tower?

The approved plan includes 25 residential apartments and 75 short-stay residences.

When will construction start?

Bastion Group plans to start construction in the first quarter of 2027.

Source: Australian Development Review, published 12 October 2026. This article is an independent summary and commentary by GC Prestige based on the original report — read the source for full details.