By Mark Bode
mark [dot] bode [at] dailymercury [dot] com [dot] au
George Chambers and his partner Tony Battams have so much confidence in Mackay's future they are willing to bet $24 million on the city.
That is how much Mr Chambers and Mr Battams, directors of Brisbane-based firm Oke One, are sinking into Fusion Apartments, a new residential development at the Lagoon precinct on the Pioneer River.
Construction on the eight storey project on Nelson Street is due to start on August 25, and is slated to open in October next year.
It will be the third residential development in the Lagoon precinct, following Lanai and Rivage.
Fusion, which is aimed at owner-occupiers, will consist of 28 three-bedroom apartments.
Prices start at $725 000 for a 135sq m apartment while the 293sq m penthouse will cost $2.2 million.
The developers, who predominantly build in Brisbane and whose architectural firm, Eko Architects, designed Fusion, said they were attracted to Mackay because of the mining boom and the area's natural appeal.
It is their first project in the city.
"Mackay will always be a place of interest because of its economic strength and natural attributes," Mr Battams said, adding the chance to build on the waterfront was too tempting to pass up.
"We're interested in waterfront sites, and I think the Pioneer is only one of two blue-water rivers in Queensland," he said.
"The site is only one of a couple of developable sites on that part of the Pioneer River."
The developers said they had already recorded sales totalling $12.5 million and they expected the project to be sold out before it was completed.
Fusion's features include water views from all living, dining and kitchen areas, and balcony access from living areas.
Most secondary bedrooms will have balcony access, with two car spaces for each apartment and a three-car space for the penthouse.
Taken from The Daily Mercury July 2008