A proposed Trump Tower under construction in the Gold Coast, a famous Australian beach destination, has been mired in controversy. If completed, the building is expected to become Australia's tallest, while about 30,000 people have signed a petition opposing the project.
On the 24th (local time), CNN and others reported that Australian real estate developer Altus Property Group announced it would build a 91-story Trump Tower, in partnership with the family company of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Trump Organization, featuring a six-star hotel with 285 rooms, a luxury shopping plaza, Michelin-star restaurants, and residential apartments.
Named "Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast," the project has not yet received construction approval from the Gold Coast City Council, but it is drawing major attention along the beachfront, CNN said. Altus Group said the project has received "preliminary works approval," will break ground in Aug., and aims for completion in the late 2020s.
The project began when David Young, founder of Altus Group, called President Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka Trump in 2007 to propose the venture. On the group's website, Young introduced himself to Ivanka as an Australian real estate developer and said he "told her I would build Australia's premier tourist attraction on Surfers Paradise Beach." Nearly 20 years later, on the 14th, he signed the related agreement with President Trump's second son Eric Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The Gold Coast is, for now, welcoming. Tom Tate, who has long served as Gold Coast mayor, expressed support for the project. The city council is also reportedly favorable, noting that Trump Tower could help revive the tourism industry that has slumped since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The planned site for Trump Tower is the former hotel site demolished in 2013 due to concrete corrosion, which has remained vacant for years. Jordan Nguyen, a worker at a nearby cafe, began a petition supporting the construction, saying, "If a landmark like Trump Tower doesn't go up, this place will sit empty for another 20 years."
Opposition is also significant. As of the afternoon that day, more than 26,000 people had signed a petition opposing approval of the project. One citizen who joined the online petition said, "Why would we want Trump to come to our country," adding, "He is like a poison and should not set foot in Australia in any way."
Most opponents take issue with President Trump's anti-immigration policies, among other things. One petitioner told CNN, "I have felt helpless watching anti-immigrant violence and social division in the United States on social media," adding, "I think opposing Trump Tower is a way to express a stance on this. I am simply opposed to the 'Trump' brand."
Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the financial capacity of Altus Group, which is leading the Trump Tower project. The Guardian said, "David Young of the developer Altus Property Group has twice filed for bankruptcy," adding, "The Altus website introduces only some dwelling development projects in regional Australia, which seems somewhat removed from the proposed $1.5 billion (about 2 trillion won) supertall project."