The super apartment concept came to the Gold Coast in the late 1980s, its origins in developments ranging in size from 250 square metres.
On the Gold Coast, the Madison Point apartments at Main Beach, the size of which had never been seen before in a prestige beachfront location, started a beachfront trend that has permeated throughout Australia and evolved into the super apartments of today.
One of the best examples of the new trend is the late Kerry Packer's 372 sq m Spring Street property in Melbourne - one of the first super apartments in the country.
The concept had its genesis internationally - in major beachfront and waterfront locations from New York to Asia.
Exclusive, large and uncompromising are the common threads between these apartments and those emerging within Australia.
International
One of the best international examples of this opulent new trend is New York's Trump World Tower.
Located in the United Nations Plaza, it is being hailed as 'one of the most luxurious residential towers in the world', offering elegantly sized condominiums ranging from 600 sqm to more than 1200 sqm.
Trump Tower is designed to rival the world’s five-star hotels, amenities and services and includes a private spa, restaurant, private wine cellar, landscaped gardens, around the clock concierges, doormen, security, service staff and valet parking.
Features include formal dining rooms, maid's room, wood burning fireplaces, spectacular river and city views overlooking downtown Manhattan.
Another example is the Golden Westlake apartment tower in Hanoi - five bedroom (with maid's quarters) featuring private lap pools and rooftop terraces and with floor designs bearing names such as ruby, opal and diamond.
The largest of the apartments, the diamond apartments, have a floor area of 657sqm.
Australia
Two new ultra luxury super apartments on the Gold Coast are leading the way in the new super apartment trend - a trend that is hear to stay.
Bezzina Group's prestigious Jade apartments, under construction on an absolute beachfront property at Surfers Paradise, is one of the crowning jewels of super apartment living.
Jade's total floor size in its exclusive one apartment per floor design and Elyseé Residences, for example, average 380 sqm - some 100 sqm larger than any apartment developments created on the Gold Coast.
On the southern Gold Coast, Reward Developments is in the final planning stages of its grand Elyseé Residences, which will stand proudly facing north over the world famous Kirra beach.
Elyseé Residences will offer massive 14-metre frontages, and are sized from 380sqm, including balconies and internal floor areas - considerably larger than most detached houses on the Gold Coast beachfront.