Welcome to a Royale Life

The Courier Mail - 31.08.2026

Welcome to a Royale Life

The Royale tower has welcomed its first residents, writes Viva Hyde

The first residents have moved into the Gold Coast’s newest absolute beachfront tower Royale as finishing touches are made to its crowning double-storey penthouse.

The 38-level tower at 7-9 Northcliffe Tce, Surfers Paradise, is the signature $400m-plus development of DD Living founder David Devine, who has retained the sprawling penthouse as his own.

Speaking with pride on the rarity of securing the 2251 sq m northeast-facing corner site on Markwell Ave, Mr Devine said the position offered protection from prevailing southerly winds and afternoon shade, allowing residents to use sun-drenched balconies year-round.

“The brief was, I want people to walk along the beach when this building is finished, look up and say, ‘That’s where I want to live’,” he said.

Designed by DKO Architecture, Royale’s striking facade was created to mirror a pandanus tree, with strategic night uplighting to “lift the building” and make it a coastal beacon.

Inside, sweeping private facilities set a new benchmark for high-end living. The centrepiece is Club Royale, a 560sqm first-floor retreat operating as an exclusive members-only club.

It features a teppanyaki dining room, a commercial-grade kitchen, executive meeting rooms, and a temperature-controlled wine cellar with dedicated whiskey storage.

The space is anchored by a cocktail bar decked out in blush-toned marble named Mai Tai. It was inspired by Mr Devine’s affinity for the famed oceanfront bar of the same name at Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian Resort, known as the Pink Palace.

“During my time on trips to America, I’d drop off at Hawaii and stay at the Pink Palace, which was made famous by Tony Curtis, the actor,” Mr Devine said.

“So, this bar is all pink stone, and a reflection of the Pink Palace.”

Outside, a private beach club features two elevated pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean — a 25m lap pool and a resort-style lagoon — surrounded by landscaped gardens.

A dedicated wellness zone includes a 110sq m glass-framed gymnasium overlooking the sand, alongside a yoga terrace, steam room, sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools.

Total Property Group managing director Adrian Parsons said prestige buyers increasingly expected a complete lifestyle experience extending well beyond their front door.

He noted a surge in local and interstate demand, stating inquiry rates across their beachfront developments had almost doubled in 2026 compared to 2025.

“We’re noticing other markets around the country that are certainly slowing and dipping, but people have woken up to what we have on the Gold Coast,” Mr Parsons said.

“We are really the envy of the property markets around Australia.”

Just a handful of apartments remain. The final collection of three- and four-bedroom residences is priced from $5.46m, topping out at $9.5m for the last half-floor sub-penthouse.

Mr Parsons said the fully furnished, four-bedroom sky home had “generous house-sized” proportions designed for wealthy downsizers.

“We’re seeing that demand for large-format apartments outstrip demand for houses,” he said.

“A lot of that has to do with the lifestyle … practically zero maintenance, lock up and leave, go travelling.”

With interiors by Mim Design and constructed by Hutchinson Builders, Royale Gold Coast is now complete. Fully furnished display apartments are open by private appointment.

Originally published in The Courier-Mail – Developing Queensland, 29–30 August 2026. Written by Viva Hyde.