Plans to construct a controversial $1.5 billion Trump Tower on the Gold Coast have been abandoned less than three months after the initial agreement was reached. The proposed skyscraper in Surfers Paradise would have become Australia's tallest building, but the ambitious project has been terminated amid tensions between the Trump Organisation and the Australian developer Altus Property Group.
Developer cites 'toxic' brand
David Young, chief executive and founder of Altus Property Group, who signed the deal with US President Donald Trump's son Eric Trump at the family's Mar-A-Lago estate in February, stated that the Trump brand had become 'toxic' to Australians. 'This is an ongoing project and behind the headlines there are facts, and the major point being in recent events the brand in this country has become toxic to Australians,' Young shared via LinkedIn.
Young expressed that he found the situation 'grossly unfair,' adding that the Trump brand had 'nothing to do with the president.'
Trump Organisation responds
A spokesperson for the Trump Organisation confirmed to the Australian Financial Review that the project would not proceed due to Altus Property Group failing to meet 'obligations.' 'While we were very excited about the opportunity to bring a world-class development to the Gold Coast, the project was dependent on our licensing partner meeting certain obligations. Unfortunately, those obligations were not fulfilled,' the spokesperson said. 'We look forward to exploring other potential projects and bringing a Trump property to Australia soon.'
Project details and controversy
The Trump Tower Gold Coast project was scrapped just three months after the deal was initially made. The tower would have become the tallest in Australia. Young said the planned 91-storey tower was 'pure business' but blamed media and political organisations for 'sensationalism.' He noted that the Trump Organisation is a 'non-political' business run by Donald Trump's sons Eric and Don Jr, independently from the president, with more than '136 resorts and towers globally.' 'Yet here in Australia both the media and certain orgs paint a picture of Donald Trump for pure sensationalism,' Young wrote.
'As for me, the writing was on the wall when the war started and I have been in discussions with many high-end luxury brands. The Trump standards were exemplary, ergo, any high-end brand in the world will enjoy this opportunity to be on one of the most famous beaches in the world.'
Mayor's controversial trip
The news comes after Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate's controversial trip in February to Florida, funded by the Trump Organisation, including accommodation at the exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort, as well as meals and airport transfers. Tate told the ABC at the time that the invitation was not a personal benefit. 'That's a gift to the city, not to me,' he said. 'I'm pretty sure Tom Tate wouldn't have gotten an invite. The mayor of the Gold Coast got an invite.'
No formal application lodged
The Trump Tower development — which would have included a six-star hotel, luxury apartments, retail and dining precincts, and a beach club — had yet to be formally lodged with the Gold Coast City Council. 'This project was an agreement between two private parties. No application had been submitted to council so we didn't have a proposal to consider,' a council spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Young stated there was 'no acrimony between the Trump family' and himself, and he had known the family for 19 years. He said he still hoped a tower would be built on the site and was 'looking forward to the future developing the Gold Coast's signature project.'
