With absolute beachfront, expansive views of the sparkling Pacific Ocean and an eye-catching façade that emulates shards of smoky quartz, Jewel on the Gold Coast was always planned as a one-in-a-billion project. But as RLB’s talented team knows, nothing gets built without a budget.
RLB’s cost planners began work on Jewel in 2012 and spent a full decade helping an ambitious project team bring this $1.5billion beauty to life.
Jewel’s design is an architectural treasure. Taking their inspiration from the ancient volcanic crystals that lie along the coastline, Architect DBI Design and Oppenheim Architects created three towers that offer the pinnacle in contemporary luxury and amenity.
Located in vibrant Broadbeach in Queensland, Jewel’s three towers are a people magnet.
Jewel North features 232 luxury apartments across 41 levels. Jewel Central’s 47 storeys accommodate 172 serviced apartments and a 169-key, 5 star Langham hotel. The 34-level Jewel South is a premium residential tower with 108 apartments.
Jewel also has three podium levels with hotel facilities and function rooms, retail and restaurants, as well two swimming pools, a spa and gymnasium. Then there’s a three-level basement with 765 car park spaces.
Crystal clarity
Jewel’s design has garnered awards and applause. But behind the scenes, a team of skilled quantity surveyors was riding the market ups-and-downs – from pandemic-induced material and labour shortages to customer demand – to balance the budget.
To maintain control of costs required collaborative negotiation with contractors and sub-contractors throughout construction and delivery, and RLB’s team of experts did just that to ensure the project stayed on track.
RLB Director, Paul Megram says there’s one secret to success on complex projects: experience. “RLB’s experienced team can immediately recognise the areas that will be the greatest challenges and to put in the time where they’ll have the biggest impact,” Paul says.
Efficiency comes from repetition and there was no repetition on any of Jewel’s towers or levels. This made the project complex and challenging to cost. With care and collaboration, we came in on budget.
Paul Megram
More than a pretty façade
The unusual angles of Jewel’s façade meant every floor is unique. Bespoke glazing, steelwork and other structural elements were meticulously mapped and carefully costed.
The sophisticated façade provides shading from sun and shelter from the wind. It also delivers impressive energy efficiency confirmed in the 5 Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Shine bright like a diamond
- $1.5 billion value
- 11,500 sqm site
- 47 storeys.
Delivered by Multiplex and Hutchinson Builders, Jewel employed more than 1,000 construction workers onsite during its peak. Now complete, Jewel has created more than 300 local jobs and strengthened the Gold Coast as a dynamic tourist destination.
Building brilliance
A site of such size and position is hard to come by in Australia, making Jewel a rare gem.
Jewel’s quality finishes, architectural excellence and sustainable design could only be delivered with the highest standard of professional skills. With rigorous cost planning and diligent attention to detail, RLB’s team carefully balanced cost, quality and design to ensure Jewel sparkles.
