A 12-storey mixed-use development with more than 150 units in the heart of Caloundra has been approved.
Sunshine Coast-based RCQ’s proposal for a three-building precinct at 126-140 Bulcock Street received the green light from Sunshine Coast Council last week.
The project will include 74 residential apartments; 96 hotel and short-term accommodation suites; ground-floor restaurants, bars, cafes and retail; and resort-style recreation and wellness facilities.
The project will be delivered in two stages, with construction expected to commence in early 2027. The initial development application was submitted in July last year.
RCQ director Justin Stainton said the development responded to growing demand for premium coastal living on the Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast has become one of Australia’s most desirable places to live and holiday, and Caloundra is a key part of that story,” he said.
“This project is about delivering a lifestyle that reflects that demand, with high-quality residences supported by resort-style amenities and a hospitality offering that brings energy and experience to the precinct.”
The development will offer a range of accommodation options including traditional hotel-style rooms and one-bedroom serviced apartments within the hotel tower, through to two- and three-bedroom residential apartments. Mr Stainton said the accommodation mix was designed to better serve the evolving visitor market.
“We see a strong demand for short-term accommodation in Caloundra, particularly from families and travellers looking for more flexibility than traditional hotel rooms alone,” he said.
“This development introduces a broader range of options, from hotel-style rooms through to larger serviced apartments, helping meet the needs of visitors while supporting the region’s growing tourism economy.”
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Stage one will introduce a residential building alongside a hotel building, allowing residents to enjoy access to a range of shared hotel-style amenities including a resort pool deck, wellness spaces, gymnasium and sauna.
Stage two will deliver a dedicated residential tower offering two and three-bedroom apartments with its own recreation and amenity areas, designed to appeal to longer-term residents seeking a low-maintenance coastal lifestyle.
The 74 residential apartments will be offered for sale, targeting a mix of owner-occupiers and investors from both the Sunshine Coast and further afield.
The project has been designed in collaboration with Architectus as project architect and Urbis as landscape architect.
“Mixed-use developments like this bring together residents, visitors and hospitality venues in a way that creates a natural energy,” RCQ director Ric Peterson said.
“You have people living in the precinct, visitors staying in the hotel and people coming to dine and socialise at ground level. That combination brings activity to the area throughout the day and evening.”
He said the development would also play an important role in addressing housing demand within the Caloundra centre.
“In addition to the hotel component, the project introduces new housing options that are designed to appeal to owner occupiers and investors looking for well-located, low-maintenance homes within walking distance of the beach, dining and everyday amenities,” Mr Peterson said.
The development represents a major private sector investment in the Caloundra town centre, with an estimated development value of about $250 million.
During construction, the project is expected to support an average on-site workforce of about 75 workers annually, peaking at up to 160 workers during key stages.
Once operational, the development is expected to support 65 to 95 ongoing jobs across accommodation, hospitality and retail operations.
The hotel and serviced accommodation component is also expected to generate an estimated $21 million to $27 million in annual visitor expenditure through accommodation, dining and local spending.
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Divisional councillor Terry Landsberg posted to social media about the approval on March 6.
“It’s an exciting step for the Caloundra centre and part of the ongoing revitalisation of the area,” he said.
“This RCQ development, located down the bottom end of town, adds to the momentum building in the precinct.”
Founded on the Sunshine Coast in 1987, RCQ has grown into an award-winning developer and builder delivering residential, commercial and mixed-use projects across South-East Queensland.
“The Sunshine Coast is where our business began and where we continue to invest,” Mr Stainton said.
“This project is one of several developments we are currently working on across the Sunshine Coast and we look forward to announcing more as the year progresses.”
