Home Green Design Oppenheim Architecture’s Crystalline ‘Jewel’ Towers Revitalize Gold Coast

Oppenheim Architecture’s Crystalline ‘Jewel’ Towers Revitalize Gold Coast

1454
0
SHARE

MIAMI—Rising to extraordinary heights, in both altitude and achievement, the “Jewel” is the first beach-front development on the Gold Coast of Australia in over 30 years. Designed by architect Chad Oppenheim, FAIA, of the international firm Oppenheim Architecture, The Jewel towers rise in unison on the city’s shores, joining luxury residences with a five-star hotel—all spanning across a three-tower crystalline complex. The mixed-use development sets a new standard of luxury living among a spread of business amenities, dining experiences, and health and wellness services, all while paying tribute to its surroundings.

Oppenheim Architecture was selected as a winner of developer RDG’s international competition held for the design of the project. Inspired by the region’s culture and elements native to the land, firm principal Chad Oppenheim developed the design concept from a set of three smoky quartz crystals—drawing from their shape, features, and overall significance. Pushing up from the site, the towers pierce the skyline as prismatic stalagmites reflecting and refracting light to create an iconic urban geology.

“It was crucial for us to understand and uncover the spirit of place—the site’s histories and ecologies, so the architectural ‘object’ wasn’t an arbitrary form, but one that resonated with the land and its people,” stated Oppenheim. “These three crystals of varying proportions and relationships were captured with 3D scanning and, with minimal modification, translated into the full-size towers that illuminate the coast today.”

Total of 169 Suites

The towering trio includes a five-star hotel comprising 169 suites and 512 private residences, joined by a three-level podium. Located at Old Burleigh Road in Broadbeach, the expansive mixed-use project features a wide range of services and features—residents, hotel guests and visitors can enjoy casual and fine dining experiences, exclusive bars, and luxury retail shopping spaces within meters of the Surfers Paradise beachfront. Other features include separate residence and hotel lobbies, world class business amenities, a health and wellness center, resort-style swimming pools, and hair and beauty salons. The development also consists of a large ballroom for major events, as well as three levels of basement parking.

The construction of the towers began in February 2016, kicking off the development of the project with collaborative efforts from Oppenheim and DBI chairman and Director of Design Barry Lee. Such a high-profile mixed-used development required thorough consultation with the city to achieve a design with both international significance and local relevance.

LEAVE A REPLY