Jewel: A Crystalline Icon on the Gold Coast

Chin Choon Ong's Award-Winning Mixed-Use Development

Jewel, a mixed-use development designed by Chin Choon Ong, is a striking addition to the Gold Coast's architectural landscape. Inspired by the crystalline volcanic hook that forms the region's underlying structure, Jewel reflects the geomorphology of the Gold Coast while responding to its subtropical climate. The building employs advanced facade technologies to provide shade and shelter, resulting in a sustainable and dramatic structure.

The development comprises three towers spanning over 110 metres of beach frontage, offering unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. The 47-level hotel tower, the heart of the development, features 341 suites and residential apartments atop a three-level podium. The podium houses conference facilities, food and beverage outlets, retail spaces, and resort amenities commensurate with a world-class hotel. A 41-level luxury residential tower and a 34-level premium residential tower complete the scheme.

Jewel's design is rooted in sustainability. The building is designed to achieve a 5-star green star rating, reinstating more than 100% of the landscape cover through extensive podium landscaping, rooftop landscaping, and building spine landscaping. The development aims to achieve the original quantum of biomass that would have been found on the site prior to settlement. The diverse land uses within the site, including restaurants, bars, retail, hotel, serviced apartments, residential apartments, convention facilities, day spas, beach clubs, swimming pools, etc., cater to a wide range of demographics and geographic origins.

The Jewel development is located on Old Burleigh Road in Broadbeach. Construction commenced in March 2015, with completion anticipated in 2018. The development is set to be Australia’s largest beachfront mixed-use development and the first absolute beachfront development on the Gold Coast in more than 30 years.

The project faced several challenges, including sustainability and accountability. However, the WANDA development ethos and the unique location of the project invited innovative architectural, environmental, and landscape solutions. The development is sensitive to the individuals who dwell within it, the pedestrians who circle around it, and the large number of beachgoers who enjoy recreating on the beachfront in front of it.

In recognition of its outstanding design and innovation, Jewel was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, advance art, science, design, and technology, and significantly impact the world with their desirable characteristics.