Gold Coast’s Five Standout Penthouses for 2025
From Main Beach to Palm Beach, the Gold Coast is setting a new benchmark for sky-high luxury. We highlight five standout penthouses redefining coastal living in 2025.
5 min
The calibre of penthouse apartments on the Gold Coast has skyrocketed in recent years. The pandemic truly shone a light on the lifestyle and livability of the Gold Coast – a gem long overlooked, particularly by those from the southern States.
But now, well-heeled buyers from Sydney and Melbourne are casting their eyes north, looking to the Coast for retirement, or at the very least, a luxurious holiday base to escape the cold southern winters.
These buyers, who won’t get much change out of $8 million when shopping for a sky-high home along the Glitter Strip, expect all the bells and whistles. A private pool is a must, as are top-of-the-line appliances, natural stone finishes, and, of course, sweeping ocean views.
Gold Coast developers have answered the call, delivering some of the finest apartments on the East Coast. From Main Beach to Palm Beach, here are five standout penthouses currently on the market.
Lagoon, Main Beach. Developer: Drew Group
One of the largest developments Main Beach has ever seen is nearing completion, and the final residences, The Signature Collection, include several sub-penthouses and penthouses that will be “hard to replicate.”
“The unrepeatable nature of these apartments hasn’t been lost on buyers,” says Drew Group Managing Director Jon Drew. “It will be hard to replicate the sheer size of these apartments. No expense has been spared to create these luxurious sub-penthouses and penthouses. At this price point, it’s an opportunity that may never be repeated in a new Main Beach development.”
The penthouse atop the Sunrise tower is the highest apartment in the dual-tower project. Priced at $7.15 million, the Sunrise Penthouse spans 460 sqm and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and three-car parking.
It offers sweeping views of the ocean, Gold Coast skyline, and hinterland from the kitchen, living, and dining areas. The kitchen includes Gaggenau appliances and natural stone benchtops, complemented by a wine cellar, bar area with Vintec wine fridge, and a private heated rooftop pool with an adjoining outdoor BBQ kitchen.
Lagoon’s name nods to its lagoon-style central swimming pool, available to all residents. They also have access to a podium-level entertainment lounge and garden with designer cooking stations, a fitness centre with adjoining yoga terrace, a 24/7 connected boardroom, and dedicated workspaces.
Pipis, Bilinga. Developer: SIERA
One of the penthouses crowning SIERA’s absolute beachfront development, Pipis, is expected to set a new Bilinga record, with pricing around $8.5 million.
There are two penthouses atop the 11-level Golden Four Drive building – SIERA’s first Gold Coast development after moving up from Brisbane.
The two-level residences each span 446 sqm of internal and external space, designed by Ellivo Architects. Each features four bedrooms and is finished with high-end materials including natural stone, Navurban Balmoral and Plytec Blossom joinery, and white-oiled natural timber flooring.
Kitchens are appointed with premium appliances, including an induction cooktop, steam oven, speed oven, ZIP tap, InSinkErator, built-in coffee machine, and a butler’s pantry with wine cellar.
A sculptural spiral staircase serves as a dramatic centrepiece, while a private lift also connects the levels. On the rooftop, residents will find a private plunge pool and sun deck with ocean views.
Residents are expected to move into Pipis in the coming months.
Kloud, Palm Beach. Developer: GRAYA
There’s arguably no better address in Palm Beach than Jefferson Lane – and luxury Brisbane-based developer GRAYA clearly agrees.
“When selecting a site, we look closely at all of the fundamentals — demand, future infrastructure investment, and lifestyle,” said Graya Managing Director Rob Gray.
“After carefully assessing these criteria, it was a no-brainer when selecting Palm Beach as the ideal location for our next multi-residential development.”
Local site specialists, GV Property Group, amalgamated a prized 824 sqm block, which will soon be home to Kloud, a boutique 10-level project with just 20 apartments, ranging from two to four bedrooms.
Topping the building is a 507 sqm, two-level penthouse with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and three parking spaces. Finishes include European oak flooring, fluted stone, curved walls, and soft, tonal hues that reflect the coastal setting.
The top level is devoted entirely to entertaining, featuring a covered alfresco space with bar, lounge area with firepit, and a private pool and spa.
The penthouse is priced at $8.95 million, with completion due later this year.
La Belle, Palm Beach. Developer: Marquee Development Partners
While Jefferson Lane may be the crown jewel of Palm Beach, The Esplanade is a very close second. Marquee secured a premium 3,300 sqm beachfront parcel from former world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, and from it launched La Belle — their 11th Gold Coast apartment project.
More than 80% of the 75 apartments have sold, and late last year, Marquee unveiled the Penthouse Collection: 10 sub-penthouses and the flagship Grand Penthouse.
“We’re beyond excited to unveil what we believe will be the pinnacle of penthouse living on the Southern Gold Coast,” said Marquee Director Jacques Winterburn.
“Our commitment to creating exceptional spaces where every detail elevates the living experience is what makes this collection truly unparalleled.”
The Grand Penthouse offers 520 sqm of internal living and an additional 162 sqm of outdoor space. It includes five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a multi-purpose room, four car parks, an indoor cinema, a wine display, a large home office, and a statement fireplace.
Residents will have access to 1,500+ sqm of wellness and lifestyle amenities, including a heated outdoor pool and spa, teppanyaki bars, private offices, a resident lounge with billiards and bar, and a world-class wellness centre with infrared and Nordic saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, and dual cold plunge baths.
La Belle is slated for completion in mid-2026.
Perspective Helm, Chevron Island. Developer: Sherpa Property Group
Chevron Island isn’t typically known for boutique ultra-luxury, but Sherpa Property Group’s waterfront project, Perspective Helm, is a standout exception.
Penthouse 10 recently sold for around $10 million to a Brisbane couple, setting a new record for the island.
Just one residence remains — Penthouse Nine — priced at $9.99 million. It spans nearly 800 sqm over two levels and includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a cinema, a multi-purpose room, and a secure four-car garage.
The penthouse also features a rooftop pool alongside a full outdoor kitchen with BBQ, pizza oven, firepit, and lounge area — plus a 60-foot private marina berth.
“Every detail of these penthouses has been meticulously crafted to offer an indulgent lifestyle, where effortless luxury meets serene sophistication,” said Sherpa CEO Christie Leet.
“We’re seeing strong interest from downsizers drawn to the quality and convenience of this location. The combination of true riverfront living and marine access is rare, and it’s clearly resonating with the market.”
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Australia’s housing market defies forecasts as prices surge past pandemic-era benchmarks.
First-home incentives can still form part of a long-term investment plan if used strategically.
3 min
Australia’s home prices continue to grow, and while that makes them great investments, they are also some of the most unaffordable in the world.
That’s why first-home buyer schemes such as the First Home Owner Grant, the First Home Guarantee, and stamp duty concessions have become so valuable.
These programs are designed to reduce upfront costs and fast-track people into homeownership.
But the question many aspiring investors are now asking is can these schemes be used as part of an investment strategy? These government initiatives aren’t designed for investors, but they can still play a key role in your long-term investment journey if used strategically.
What the schemes actually allow
Every first-home buyer incentive in Australia is created to support owner-occupiers, not investors.
Whether it’s a cash grant, reduced deposit requirement, or a stamp duty discount, the catch is always the same in that you must live in the property for a set period of time. For example, the First Home Owner Grant often requires you to live in the property for at least six to twelve months, depending on the state.
The First Home Guarantee allows you to purchase with just a 5 per cent deposit without paying lenders’ mortgage insurance, but again, you’re required to live in the property for at least one year.
Likewise, state-based stamp duty concessions are only available for properties intended as a principal place of residence. If your intention from the outset is to buy a property solely for rental income, you won’t be eligible. However, if you’re open to living in the property initially, then transitioning it into an investment, there’s a path forward.
A strategy that works
Rentvesting has emerged as one of the most practical ways for first-time buyers to take advantage of these schemes while also laying the groundwork for a property portfolio.
The concept is simply, buying a property in an area you can afford (using the first-home buyer schemes to assist), live in it for the minimum required period, and then rent it out after fulfilling the occupancy condition.
This approach lets you legally access the benefits of first-home buyer schemes while building equity and entering the market sooner. Instead of waiting years to save a full 20 per cent deposit for an investment property, or getting priced out altogether, you get your foot in the door with reduced upfront costs.
Once you’ve satisfied the live-in requirement, the property can become an income-generating asset and even serve as collateral for your next purchase.
What to look for in a rentvestment property
If you plan to eventually convert the property into an investment, you need to think beyond your short-term living experience. It’s essential to buy a property that performs well both as a home and as a long-term asset.
That means looking at key fundamentals like location, rental demand, and growth potential. Suburbs with strong infrastructure, access to employment hubs, good transport links, and low vacancy rates should be high on your list.
A balanced price-to-rent ratio will help ensure manageable holding costs once the property transitions to an investment.
Established low-density areas often outperform high-rise apartment developments that flood the market with supply and limit capital growth. And ideally, your property should offer scope for future improvements, whether that’s a cosmetic renovation, granny flat addition, or potential to subdivide down the track.
Mistakes to avoid
There are a few common missteps that can undermine this strategy. The first is selling too soon. Some grants and stamp duty concessions include clawback provisions if you offload the property within a short period, which could see you lose the benefits or even owe money back.
It’s also a mistake to let the lure of a government handout sway your purchasing decision. A $10,000 grant doesn’t justify compromising on location, growth prospects, or property fundamentals.
Another pitfall is failing to consider the financial impact once the property becomes an investment. Repayments, tax treatment, and outgoings may change, so it’s important to stress-test your position from day one.
Lastly, beware of buying into oversupplied areas simply because they’re marketed to first-home buyers. Not all new builds are good investments. If hundreds of identical properties are being built nearby, your long-term growth could be seriously limited.
With the right approach, your first home can be the foundation for an entire property portfolio. It starts with using available government support to lower your entry cost.
From there, you occupy the property for the required time, convert it to an investment, and leverage the equity and rental income to fund your next purchase.
Many of the most successful investors today began with a single, strategically chosen property purchased using these exact schemes. By buying well, you can turn your first home into the launchpad for long-term wealth.
Abdullah Nouh is the Founder of Mecca Property Group (MPG), a buyers’ advisory firm specialising in investment opportunities in residential and commercial real estate. In recent years, his team has acquired over $300 million worth of assets for 250+ clients across Australia.
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