Gold Coast’s Varsity Lakes has triumphed over every Queensland development to be crowned the state’s Best Master-planned Development at the coveted state UDIA awards.
Varsity Lakes, which was launched in 1999, has since become part of one of south east Queensland’s fastest-growing communities in the southern corridor.
The 343 hectare Lend Lease development is already home to over 8000 residents with approximately 10,000 people expected to call the master planned community home.
Varsity Lakes Project Director Carl Bruhn said the award proved what residents of Varsity Lakes already knew – that the Lend Lease development was the best of its kind.
“The award recognises our commitment to investing in employment generating precincts including commercial hubs, educational facilities, environmental initiatives, transport options and a wide range of housing.
“Being able to draw on a team of planning, community and economic development experts has certainly helped to create a winning community.”
“But at the end of the day, nothing speaks louder as a testimony for Varsity Lakes than the pride in the community from people who live, work, study and play at Varsity Lakes.”
More than 250 businesses, bringing over 6600 employees have moved to or grown within the community’s business and innovation precinct, Varsity Central, since its launch in 1999. The development has been able to generate a job a day in non-construction employment, exceeding targets set by Council for the community.
“As well as a renowned Gold Coast cosmopolitan lakeside community, Varsity Lakes is also being recognised for innovative and unique designs that have been delivered and transferred in the market place. We understand everyone has different housing requirements and have developed a range of housing products to meet these needs such as the Warehouse Homes, Terrace Homes, SOHO’s, Studios & Lofts.
Another feature has been the creation of a mixed-use precinct in the heart of the project (The Quay) providing for full integration of land uses such as retail, commercial, community and residential. Also delivered is a “main parade” town centre incorporating active frontages, pedestrian promenades and squares and a boardwalk around Lake Orr in a contemporary commercial context.
The delivery of the $4.5 million dollar Sports House facility through a community infrastructure initiative developed by Lend Lease in joint venture with Gold Coast City Council is the community’s latest achievement. Sports House will service the immediate local and wider Gold Coast community delivering watercraft storage space, community meeting rooms and commercial offices.
To ensure the ongoing prosperity of the Varsity Lakes community, Lend Lease facilitated the establishment of Varsity Lakes Community Limited (VLCL), a ‘not for profit’ community organisation. First registered in 2006, VLCL has a volunteer Board of directors and manages important community activities and events.
Upon completion in 2011, Varsity Lakes will comprise 4,500 homes and will become home to more than 10,000 residents. The business and innovation precinct, Varsity Central offers more than 50,000sqm of commercial space providing employment to more than 6600 employees.
Lend Lease is Australia’s leading developer of master planned communities with 26 projects and over 150,000 residents across Australia.
Recent research from PRD Nationwide has dubbed Varsity Lakes as a ‘suburb pick’ for 2011 based on current pricing levels, infrastructure, current property trends, and proximity to the beach, shopping, Bond University, main arterials and the Varsity Lakes rail extension.
ENDS.
For more information contact:
Darrin Davies – Lend Lease Communications Manager Qld and NT
0467 773 032
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