Marina Mirage rebuild on the Gold Coast will raise the bar for waterfront luxury

21/11/2025

THE AUSTRALIAN

Famed for four decades as a waterfront mecca for dining, shopping and luxe boating, the Gold Coast’s Marina Mirage precinct will undergo a $500m redevelopment at the hands of the family-owned Makris private property development group.

After almost 40 years of operation, Makris Group’s Marina Mirage has all but closed its doors to begin the transformation of the Gold Coast waterfront precinct with big plans to help position Australia as a global lifestyle destination ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics – attracting locals and tourists alike.

It has taken four years of planning to secure development ­approval for the project, with the existing retail shops closing this month. However, Makris Group chief executive Jason Makris said waterfront dining would continue until the end of January.

“Thereafter we will hand it to the builder for demolition and commencement of the new buildings,” he said.

All up, the project – which has signed a builder – will result in the development of a 126-room luxury hotel and 38 apartments, starting from two-bedders with multi-purpose rooms. There will also be several penthouses ranging from 500sq m to 1000sq m, and prices will start from $28,000 a square metre, which according to Mr Makris is being achieved at the nearby Main Beach and The Spit. He confirmed that all 38 apartments would be released to the market – with the Makris family planning not to retain any.

Inspired by the world’s great rivieras, the redeveloped Marina Mirage will create a new level of waterfront luxury living in Australia, according to the Makris Group. It will combine a superyacht marina with the Marriott-managed hotel as well as dining and retail.

Marketing agents are yet to be appointed to sell the apartments in the low-rise, three-level apartment building.

“It’s our intention to sell the apartments, but we will own the hotel, retail and the marina,” Mr Makris said. “With residents coming into the development, we will give them priority for berths if they have a yacht or a superyacht. That’s the reason why we wish to continue to operate the marina, and not sell off the berths individually.

“It has to be a precinct where people can come in from all ­angles. It’s got to appeal to the ­locals and tourists.”

Mr Makris contends that the apartments will appeal to anyone looking for something private, given they will have uninterrupted sunset views.

“The buyers are expected to be above middle age looking for something quite special,” he said. “There will be complimentary wellness facilities for residents as well as concierge services enabled through the hotel.

“We are establishing the benchmark in Australia for a destination that embodies the sophistication of a Riviera lifestyle yet feels Australian.

“Residents and visitors will move from their yacht to their villa, to fine dining, retail and world-class leisure and wellbeing experiences. This builds on the ­vision of my father, Con Makris, who recognised early the Gold Coast’s potential as a world-class coastal destination.”

At the heart of the development will be the Marina Mirage Gold Coast hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort by Marriott International hotel that Mr Makris says is the first of its kind on Australia’s mainland.

Apart from the apartments, there will be seven dining destinations and eight retail boutiques.

A 2000sq m longevity and wellness precinct will have clinical-grade recovery, biohacking, concierge, fitness and integrated well­ness programs, while 1000sq m of flexible event spaces will cater to functions, rooftop events and co-working spaces.

The 78-berth superyacht marina, completed in late 2021, can accommodate vessels from 12 to 85 metres, and has helipad access.The marina berths are fully occupied, and will remain operational and trading through the construction period, which is expected to take until 2029.

Source: The Australian