Landmark contract will redraw Gold Coast skyline.
They have been going up since 1959 and have come to define the Gold Coast and its skyline. Now the city is about to witness a watershed moment in its history — the first demolition of one of its highrise buildings.
Iluka, the first highrise developed on the Gold Coast’s beach front, will soon be knocked down.
According to local news reports, the 41-year-old building at Surfer’s Paradise, owned by Suncorp and controlled by receivers Ersnt & Young, is being demolished for safety reasons.
Some experts say Iluka could be the first of many, with the design life of high-rises ending after a 50-year period.
Famed nightclub Billy’s Beach House and the adjoining bottle shop — all part of the 16-storey highrise — will also close as part of the demolition, expected to cost more than $1 million.
In 2007 the 72-apartment building was gutted to be knocked down to make way for Raptis Group’s $750 million, 57-level highrise proposal.
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