Developer plans Trump hotel skyscraper on Australian coast

SYDNEY: The Trump Organisation revealed plans Monday for a US$1.1 billion, 91-storey Trump hotel and apartment tower in eastern Australia’s Gold Coast tourism hotspot.

Located in Queensland’s beachside suburb of Surfers Paradise, it would be the first Trump-branded hotel in Australia.

“Set to become Australia’s tallest tower, this landmark address redefines beachfront sophistication with world-class amenities, iconic design, and uninterrupted Gold Coast views,” Trump Hotels said in a statement.

Australian developer Altus Property Group’s chief executive David Young said he signed the deal with US President Donald Trump’s family enterprise on February 14 at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Altus was “deeply” into the design and engineering plans, he said in a statement, putting the construction cost at Aus$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion).

READ MORE: Dar Global and Trump Organization launch $10 billion Saudi developments

The hotel would carry the Trump brand and abide by Trump design requirements, but it would be Australian-owned and Australian-built, Young said.

“It will be an Australian, not American project,” Young said.

The building will include a “six-star resort hotel”, 270 apartments, a retail plaza, restaurants, beach club and swimming pool, he said.

At 340 metres (1,115 feet) high, it would be Australia’s tallest building by the end of the decade, the developer claimed, and would “leave every other Australian resort property in its wake when it comes to luxury”.

Australia’s national broadcaster ABC said it could be eclipsed, however, by a 101-storey, 393-metre tower also planned for nearby on the Gold Coast.

“A formal development application will be required, and we look forward to considering the application once it is received,” Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel was quoted as saying by local media.

“We welcome investment in the city. It shows confidence in our city and ultimately creates jobs,” he said.

Altus’s boss said he had pursued the development since he “cold called” US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump about it in 2007.