Earlybirds rush to commit to Jewel development despite not knowing final price of units

Marketing director Andrew Bampton said many of the prospective buyers lining up for a unit were locals.

“Most of them are locals or people associated with the Gold Coast, who have property here and have been waiting and watching,” Mr Bampton said. “They’re looking for something special — they know it’s going to be a luxury product and they’re willing to pay for that.”

A global sales launch will be held mid to late next month, with marketing to begin in Sydney, Melbourne, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

MILLIONS UP FOR GRABS AT JEWEL PROJECT

As well, the $1 billion three-tower development, which will have 500 apartments, 171 hotel rooms and dozens of luxury retail precincts, is already attracting restaurateurs from around the world.

Mr Bampton was coy about which chefs had expressed interest in the site but said there was a mix of well-known local and international names, including operators from China and the US.

“The location really lends itself to destination dining,” he said.

“Because it’s smack-bang between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, it should be somewhere where the locals really want to go.

“We have already been approached by local, national and international operators.”

He said there were only a few metres left to excavate at the Old Burleigh Rd site and tenders for construction had been narrowed to three companies. Building work is set to start by November.

Globally, the Wanda group opened its 76th hotel this week and it continues to expand interests in shopping centres, cinemas and film studios.

Mr Bampton said the Jewel retail precinct would have high-end global brands and he wouldn’t rule out an investment by the company in the city’s film industry.

“It’s a possibility that as a natural progression they will identify other opportunities for business,” he said.