Gold Coast penthouse sets record with $19.57 million sale

The Gold Coast's luxury apartment market has notched another record with the $19,568,000 sale of a full-floor penthouse in the Royale Gold Coastdevelopment-just weeks after the project set a previous benchmark with a $19.18 million penthouse sale.

Together, the two penthouse deals have generated over $38 million in off-the-plan sales, marking the highest transactions of their kind in Surfers Paradise history and reinforcing the city's newfound prestige in the national property market.

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The latest deal, for Penthouse 3601 on level 36, was secured by a local businessman who had originally purchased a half-floor residence in the building, only to upgrade when the full-floor penthouse was released to market. As the tower's form has become more prominent during construction, the buyer was drawn by the opportunity to secure an expansive, uninterrupted coastal view from a residence unlike anything else in the region.

"Royale Gold Coast is unlike any other project in the Australian market," said David Devine, founder and managing director of DD Living.

"Its sculptural form, premium north-east orientation and floor-to-ceiling glass have been meticulously designed to maximise natural light and capture uninterrupted 360-degree views across the ocean, hinterland and city skyline."

Each penthouse offers over 660 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, with features including a gourmet kitchen fitted with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, an oversized butler's pantry, glass-enclosed wine cellar, full-sized bar, formal dining for 14, and expansive indoor-outdoor entertaining zones. The master suite occupies the entire eastern wing and includes a resort-style ensuite with a freestanding bath, double showers and floor-to-ceiling glass offering uninterrupted ocean vistas.

Residents of Royale will also enjoy six-star resort-style amenities such as two lagoon pools, a wellness centre with spa, cold plunge, sauna and yoga terrace, as well as the private Club Royale residents' lounge with an executive kitchen and beachfront views.

According to luxury apartment specialist Adrian Parsons, Managing Director of TOTAL Property Group, the Gold Coast's prestige apartment sector is being fuelled by both demand and a significant shift in who's buying.

"Many of the purchasers in the luxury apartment market are local Gold Coast owner-occupiers intending to live in the residences full-time," Parsons said.

"We're also seeing strong demand from Brisbane and interstate buyers. While some are securing apartments as premium holiday homes, a significant proportion are planning a permanent move to the Gold Coast to enjoy the lifestyle on offer year-round."

Parsons attributes the current boom to the city's broader transformation into a diversified economic hub.

"The Gold Coast has matured significantly in recent years, evolving into a more resilient economy that is no longer solely reliant on tourism," he said. "This transformation has supported continued interstate migration, with more people choosing to make the Gold Coast their permanent home. The region's lifestyle, climate, and world-class amenities continue to attract high-end apartment buyers seeking both luxury and liveability."

With absolute beachfront development sites now scarce, Parsons also noted that developers are turning their attention to emerging lifestyle markets across Southeast Queensland. "These areas offer strong long-term growth potential and are gaining attention from both developers and discerning buyers alike," he said.

The Royale Gold Coast is being developed by DD Living and is located on Northcliffe Terrace in Surfers Paradise. With construction now visibly transforming the skyline, the development is setting new benchmarks-not just in price, but in redefining coastal luxury.