A new skyscraper, poised to be Australia’s tallest, is set to rise on the Gold Coast, featuring the Trump name prominently. The proposed Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast will consist of 91 stories, including a luxury 6-star hotel with 285 rooms, high-end retail spaces, and Michelin-starred restaurants. While plans are still to be submitted to the Gold Coast City Council for approval, the project is already generating significant discussion among residents.
Opposition to the project has surfaced, with an online petition against the development garnering over 26,000 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. Many signatories express strong sentiments against the Trump brand. One commenter stated, “Why would we want anything to do with Trump coming to our country? He is poison and needs to stay out of Australia in every single way.” The petition’s creator, who uses the alias CK, expressed her desire to speak out against what she perceives as social division prompted by Trump’s influence.
In contrast, Tom Tate, the long-serving Gold Coast Mayor, vocally supports the project. He remarked on Australian radio that his recent dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago left him with a favorable impression, calling Trump “very, very likable.” Tate emphasized the potential economic benefits of the tower, particularly as the Gold Coast seeks to rejuvenate its tourism industry following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The site of the proposed tower has remained vacant since a beloved hotel was demolished in 2013 due to structural issues. Local worker Jordan Nguyen, who has started his own petition backing the construction, argued that the project should be evaluated based on its planning merits rather than political opinions. He stated, “If we don’t get this Trump Tower landmark there, we’ll be empty for the next 20 years again.”
Apartments in the Trump Tower are expected to be priced at around 5 million Australian dollars (approximately $3.5 million), offering breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean and the bustling Surfers Paradise beach. Martin Hall from the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce praised the development, calling it a “gold option” for buyers in a thriving market and highlighting the ongoing construction boom in the area.
The groundwork for this ambitious project traces back to 2007, when property developer David Young made a cold call to Ivanka Trump. Young, founder and CEO of the Altus Property Group, expressed his vision for creating “Australia’s finest tourist property at Surfers Paradise.” Nearly two decades later, the agreement was finalized with Eric Trump at Mar-a-Lago on February 14, setting the stage for the extensive design and engineering work needed to fulfill the licensing terms.
Young is optimistic about the timeline, anticipating that the building will be completed ahead of the Brisbane Summer Olympics in 2032. He described the tower as an iconic landmark that will enhance the area’s appeal, contributing to the tourism scene during the Games. If the project proceeds as planned, the 335-meter (approximately 1,099 feet) Trump Tower may soon rise above the Gold Coast skyline. Yet, it may not hold the title of the tallest building in Australia for long, with nearby developments like “One Park Lane” expected to surpass it by approximately 60 meters (about 195 feet).
As discussions continue, the Gold Coast finds itself at a crossroads between economic potential and community sentiment regarding the Trump brand. The outcome of this tower’s proposal will reflect broader attitudes toward development and the influence of high-profile figures in Australia’s evolving landscape.
