Backpackers Accommodation Surfers Paradise, QLD

Backpackers Accommodation Surfers Paradise, QLD

Location: Surfers Paradise, Queensland

Client: A seasoned operator of backpacker hostels, boasts a thriving business in Adelaide and multiple hostels abroad.

Summary:

In the heart of Surfers Paradise, adjacent to the light rail corridor, our client committed to a strategically located site in Australia. This site offers easy access to various transportation modes, catering to guests who primarily arrive on foot, bicycle, taxi, rideshare, or public transport. Our project involved repurposing a vacant tenancy within an existing building, previously a Chinese restaurant, to create a 100-person backpacker accommodation. A distinctive feature of this development is the innovative placement of bunk beds within sleeping capsule pods.

Challenge and Solution:

One of the major challenges was obtaining regulatory approvals for this unique accommodation concept. The development application was submitted to the City of Gold Coast in June 2020 and subsequently referred to the State Development and Referral Agency. However, thanks to our collaborative efforts with Folland Panozzo Architects, acoustic engineers from ATP Consulting, and traffic engineers from PSA Transportation, we successfully navigated the regulatory landscape.

Key Results:

The development application received approval in December 2020. This accomplishment paves the way for our client to offer an additional accommodation option to international and interstate travelers seeking the backpacker experience in the vibrant Surfers Paradise.

Image Credit: Folland Panozzo Architects