19/38 Orchid Avenue.

North east facing, elevated above the street with gated access to more than a thousand square metres of private gardens and terrace, right in the heart of the entertainment precinct, walking distance from the best golden beaches in the world. There is nothing else like it in the building, and very little like it anywhere in Surfers Paradise. As the Gold Coast builds upward, nobody is building this anymore.

From the owners.

“We did not renovate this apartment with a single thought to sell it. We renovated it to live in, and every decision has been tested by daily life.

The 1980s interior was stripped back to reveal the modernist architecture underneath. Full height doors and windows almost surround the home, so light enters from several directions and sea breezes move through naturally. Electric block out blinds replaced heavy curtains, and mirrored surfaces carry the garden light deep into the rooms. Every room looks onto greenery, which gives the apartment an openness you rarely find this close to the centre of anything.

One thing the glossy tower listings never mention is that ocean views turn black at night. Our night view is treetops and fairy lights. Inset as we are on the expansive terrace, noise from the street is minimised. We enjoy the full terrace both visually and as an extension of our patio.

Entry is through our own gallery, with art on the picture rail under track lighting, before the hallway opens into a light filled living room where full height glass frames the gardens beyond.

The cafe style kitchen puts everything within a single step. There are two ovens, a fan forced multi modal and a combination microwave, grill and conventional oven, plus induction cooking and a farmhouse sink made in stainless steel and timber so it does not chip crockery or glassware. Pull out shelving uses the full depth of cupboards, even a “dead” corner, and the overhead rack means dishes are rinsed, racked and done. The warm climate takes care of the drying.

The air-conditioned master bedroom carries the garden theme through, with custom book shelving, a bronze palm light fitting and mirrored robes that double the sense of space, the second bedroom works equally well as a study, with an electric block out blind and translucent screen for modulating the light and garden view.

Both bathrooms have been upgraded. In the ensuite we removed the false ceiling, gained 200mm of height and turned the exposed plumbing into a custom lighting design, with soft night lighting on the first switch, full LED illumination on the second and a tree styled towel warmer on the third. It has chrome fittings and a generous rain shower head. The main bathroom has new shower fittings with a 25 year guarantee, a rimless suite and generous vanity. All services are hidden.

The terrace is where the apartment really lives. Morning coffee among the palms, long lunches with friends, evening drinks under the fairy lights. Your own private access leads to the resort level with its heated pool, spa, sauna, games court and covered barbecue, all set on the same landscaped tropical terrace.

One floor down, the city is yours. The beach, the river, the canals, all of the attractions of Surfers Paradise within a few hundred meters. Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue are effectively your driveway, with restaurants, shopping, light rail and the major events all on foot.

We love our home, and want it to belong to someone who will love it as much as we do.”

The owners are moving on and this home will be sold. Inspect soon.