Plans for the Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast have been announced, aiming to construct Australia’s tallest building on a vacant site near the Gold Coast’s tourist strip. Developed by Altus Property Group, the 91-story tower will feature a luxury six-star hotel with 285 rooms, high-end retail spaces, Michelin-starred restaurants, and residential apartments designed to meet Trump’s specifications. The proposal has not yet been submitted for approval to the Gold Coast City Council, but it has already ignited heated discussions among locals.
As of Tuesday, a petition opposing the project had gathered over 26,000 signatures, with many individuals expressing their discontent with the Trump brand. One petition signer 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.” Another individual remarked, “This is the worst idea ever, and we cannot allow it to happen!” The petition’s creator, who goes by the alias CK to avoid potential backlash, emphasized her desire to express opposition to the Trump brand rather than job creation.
Despite the backlash, long-time Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has publicly supported the project. He recently shared his positive impressions of Trump after dining with him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. During a radio interview, Tate described Trump as “very, very likable” and noted the potential economic benefits of the tower, particularly in revitalizing the tourism sector after the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proposed site has remained vacant since 2013, when a beloved hotel was demolished due to structural issues. Local café worker Jordan Nguyen, who has initiated a counter-petition in favor of the tower, argued that the project should be evaluated based on its merits rather than political opinions. “If we don’t get this Trump Tower landmark there, we’ll be empty for the next 20 years again,” he asserted.
Apartments within the Trump Tower are projected to sell for around AUD 5 million (approximately $3.5 million), offering views of the Pacific Ocean and the popular tourist destination, Surfers Paradise. Martin Hall from the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce praised the development as a significant opportunity for buyers in a growing market, particularly with the 2032 Summer Olympics approaching.
The concept for the Trump Tower dates back to 2007 when property developer David Young made initial contact with Ivanka Trump. Young, founder and CEO of Altus Property Group, expressed his vision of creating “Australia’s finest tourist property at Surfers Paradise.” Almost two decades later, he signed a deal with her brother, Eric Trump, on February 14, 2024, and began the challenging process of fulfilling the requirements of the Trump licensing deal.
Young anticipates that if approved, construction will be completed before the Olympics, positioning the tower as a landmark on Surfers Paradise Beach. “It will be an iconic landmark property on Surfers Paradise Beach, the natural home to the well-heeled, and it will be finished before the Olympics start,” he stated, as reported in the Australian Financial Review.
While the Gold Coast Trump Tower may soon claim the title of Australia’s tallest building at 335 meters (1,099 feet), that distinction might be short-lived. Nearby, the “One Park Lane” is set to rise approximately 60 meters (195 feet) taller, challenging the Trump Tower’s position in the skyline. The community remains divided on the project’s implications, weighing potential economic benefits against the controversial brand associated with it.
