RAYJON BREAKS GROUND AT ASHMORE SITE

RAYJON Group's long awaited Vantage Gold Coast project at Ashmore has reached a milestone, with earthworks starting on the $180 million residential 'urban village'.

Vantage is being developed on a 2.4ha elevated site on Ross Street, and is targeting buyers who are seeking affordable apartment stock in the city's fringe markets away from the beachfront.

The new parkland village will ultimately comprise six apartment towers set amongst landscaped gardens and lifestyle facilities.

Nyholt Constructions, which was awarded the civil works tender by developer Rayjon, will prepare the site for construction of stage one of the project, which includes two apartment towers and a recreation hub with a pool, barbecue terrace and resident's lounge.

Nyholt Constructions managing director Richard Nyholt (pictured below) says the civil works program will include bulk earthworks to prepare for the construction of the Dusk and Eve buildings, as well as construction of an access road via the entry boulevard and bulk earthworks of the internal roads for the project.

"Nyholt Construction has been active in South East Queensland for over 30 years and we actually completed the civil works for Royal Pines Resort across the road, so we are very familiar with this area and look forward to being a part of delivering this exciting new project," he says.

Construction of stage one will commence at the end of 2015 and will be finished by the end of 2016.

The project is now selling with two and three bedroom apartments priced from $420,000.

Vantage is being marketed by CBRE's Chris Litfin, who says now that work is underway at Vantage he expects enquiry to jump.

"Most of the sales made at Vantage to date have been to locals who have visited the Vantage sales and display centre," says Litfin.

"Now that the site is being levelled and pegged, buyers will also be able to see exactly how much room is being dedicated to open space.

"There is nowhere else on the Gold Coast where buyers can purchase a brand new apartment on acres of parkland which is elevated to promote view corridors to the hinterland, Royal Pines golf course and coastline."

The start of civil works at Vantage comes on the back of the state government's $160 million commitment to upgrade major road networks, including those surrounding the new development.

Vantage residents will benefit from a new traffic-light intersection at Ashmore Road and Ross Street, along with significant improvements to Nerang-Broadbeach Road and Olsen Avenue.

Litfin says connectivity continued to be a key factor in purchaser decisions, with access to major roads and public transport always front of mind.

"Vantage has an edge over other communities because it is fairly 'walkable', with lifestyle facilities, a supermarket, specialty shops and a golf course just a short stroll away, but most people still consider it very important to be able to jump in the car and commute with ease," he says.

"The Ashmore Road-Ross Street traffic lights will ensure residents have safe and easy access to their homes, while upgrades to major arterial roads means people can head to Robina or Southport within 20 minutes for work or entertainment.

"It's the combination of  location, convenience and lifestyle that makes Vantage unique, and people will be able to see that more and more each day as work continues to advance on site."