Makris Group has taken a significant step forward in the transformation of its Marina Mirage precinct on the Gold Coast, unveiling a luxury collection of waterfront homes that signals a shift toward low-rise, design-led coastal living within one of Queensland’s most prominent redevelopment sites.

Located in the heart of the Southport Spit, directly connected to the Broadwater, and forming a significant part of the Queensland Government’s broader Spit Master Plan, the project blends luxury residential living with hospitality, marina infrastructure and public realm improvements within a cohesive waterfront precinct ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The latest chapter in the redevelopment story also marks Makris Group’s formal entry into the luxury residential market.

The vision for Marina Mirage draws on decades of placemaking experience while reinterpreting the charm of the world’s great Rivieras within an Australian context.

“The Gold Coast continues to evolve internationally as a leading lifestyle and tourism destination, and Marina Mirage reflects that status. Marina Mirage brings the luxury, elegance and lifestyle of the world’s great Rivieras, realising our vision to create a precinct of global calibre that is uniquely Australian,” says Makris Group Executive Chairman Con Makris.

The development introduces a mixed-use waterfront destination anchored by the Marina Mirage Gold Coast, a Luxury Collection Resort, a new 126-room luxury hotel and Marriott International’s first mainland Australian property under its Luxury Collection brand, alongside exclusive homes, curated retail, dining and wellness offerings as well as marina facilities.

According to Makris Group Chief Executive Officer Jason Makris, the residences represent the next chapter of Marina Mirage, shaped by experience, collaboration and a clear long-term vision.

“Working with an exceptional team of designers and partners, we’re delivering a precinct where hospitality, living, wellness and public realm come together seamlessly. It’s not just about buildings – it’s about creating an enduring destination that elevates the Gold Coast on the global stage while remaining unmistakably Australian.”

The limited collection of 38 residences includes penthouses, villas and private residences, positioning the offering as a rare intergenerational holding on the Gold Coast, he adds.

Delivered by a design collaboration led by reputed Australian design practice Fraser & Partners with interiors by Fiona Lynch Office and landscaping by Aspect Studios, the project departs from the Gold Coast’s typical high-rise model, instead adopting a low-rise village format that prioritises human scale, subtropical responsiveness and connection to the surrounding environment.

Seven buildings are arranged around a central palm garden and a 50-metre pool, creating a sheltered internal landscape that opens to the Broadwater. Architectural elements such as layered terraces, shaded colonnades and rooftop gardens respond to climate conditions, while sail-like roof forms reference the site’s maritime heritage. Future residents will have direct access to dining and marina amenities, and integrated hotel-style services, setting a new standard for top-tier coastal living.

“Architecturally conceived as a romantic, stone-hewn Byzantine village rising from the Broadwater, the project draws inspiration from ancient seafaring cities and the great Rivieras,” explains Callum Fraser, Principal at Fraser & Partners and lead architect for the project.

“Shaped by climate, water and culture, our intent is to create an enduring, human-scaled coastal environment that feels elemental yet contemporary, and intrinsically connected to Country,” he adds.

The chosen materiality references coastal geology and local history, incorporating limestone, travertine, oak and bronze, alongside details inspired by oyster shells and the intertidal landscape of the Broadwater. The design also acknowledges the cultural heritage of the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language region.

The interiors by Fiona Lynch Office continue this approach through a restrained material palette with emphasis on proportion, volume, natural light and indoor-outdoor living. High ceilings, stone planes and expansive glazing maximise natural light and water views, while generous terraces extend living spaces outwards. Bespoke joinery and custom furnishings reinforce a residential character distinct from hotel-style developments, with the materiality establishing an indoor environment that feels grounded, enduring and permanent.

The landscape design by Aspect Studios reintroduces elements of the site’s historic littoral rainforest, with native palms, glossy-leaved plants, ferns, orchids and coastal species integrated throughout the site to support biodiversity as well as frame the sweeping Broadwater views. Greenery extends across balconies and rooftops, creating shaded microclimates and reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural setting.

Originally opened in 1988, Marina Mirage has long been associated with luxury waterfront lifestyle on the Gold Coast. Under Makris Group’s stewardship, the precinct is being repositioned as a contemporary coastal destination for a new generation, with a focus on sustainability, public amenity, connection, and global appeal.

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Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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