When we first walked through this Southport property, what we saw was a dated house on a 508-square-metre block in one of the Gold Coast’s most underrated pockets — a quiet cul-de-sac just a short walk from some of the best schools and Regatta Beach on the Broadwater.
What we envisioned was something completely different: a contemporary, luxury family home that would make the most of the north-facing aspect, the quiet cul-de-sac location, and the lifestyle that comes with living in one of Southport’s most established residential streets.
This project became one of our most comprehensive residential renovations — a transformation that took a property purchased for $440,000 and delivered a home that would later sell for $2,000,000.
Here’s how we did it, and what we learned along the way.
The existing house was a typical Gold Coast home from an earlier era. Single storey, basic floor plan, no pool, and none of the indoor-outdoor connectivity that Queensland living demands. Laminate kitchen cabinets with a freestanding oven, tile benchtops, diamond security screens on every window, grey carpet in the bedrooms, and a bathroom with blue accent tiles that screamed early 2000s.
The block itself was the real asset — 508 square metres in a quiet cul-de-sac with mature trees and proximity to some of the best schools and waterfront on the Gold Coast.
The challenge was clear: retain the bones where it made sense, but fundamentally reimagine the home for modern family living.
Rather than demolish and start fresh, we chose a strategic renovation path. This meant working with the existing structural elements where they were sound, while extending and reconfiguring the floor plan to create the spaces the home needed.
We added a full second storey with a master suite featuring panoramic views, a walk-in robe, and a chic ensuite — designed as a private parent retreat away from the main living areas.
The ground floor was opened up with 2.4-metre-high glide-away doors that seamlessly connect the living and dining areas to the outdoor entertaining zone. This is the kind of detail that separates a renovation that feels like a renovation from one that feels purpose-built.
We designed a chef’s kitchen with provision for a Falcon twin oven cooker and Miele appliances, wide benchtops, and a full outdoor kitchen for the entertaining area. Every room was wired with Cat 6 data connections — 16 internet points throughout — and pre-wired for a 7.1 surround sound system.
If you’re weighing up whether to renovate or start over, our guide on knockdown rebuild vs renovation covers the decision framework in detail.
This was an owner-builder project in the truest sense. As a QBCC Licensed Builder, I was closely involved with the trade teams throughout the build.
The scope included structural steel and timber framing for the second storey addition, full re-cladding of the exterior with modern panel systems, new roofing to integrate the original footprint with the extensions, complete internal strip-out and reconfiguration of the ground floor, a new north-facing saltwater pool with water feature and night lighting, block retaining walls and landscaping, full electrical rewiring with smart home provisions, new plumbing throughout including Hansgrohe fixtures and concealed toilets, ducted air conditioning on the ground level plus split systems upstairs, and 5-star energy efficiency with full wall and roof insulation plus extra-wide eaves.
The pool alone was a major undertaking — excavation, steel reinforcement, concrete pour, blockwork walls, waterproofing, tiling, and the glass pool fencing that ties the whole outdoor area together.
As a licensed builder who also designs, I’m across both the big picture and the fine detail. Some of the features that elevated this home beyond a standard renovation:
A grand gatehouse entry with water feature and intercom security. Laser-cut decorative bamboo screen panels in the front fence — a design element that gives the street presence real character while maintaining privacy. Natural stone feature walls at the entrance that carry through to the outdoor areas. Hardwood timber floors throughout the living areas. Crimsafe-style security screens on all doors and windows. Gated side access with a concrete-base driveway wide enough for a boat or caravan, with a concealed gate entrance. A 10,000-litre water tank with automatic irrigation. Sheds with power and water for workshop or storage use.
These aren’t afterthoughts — they’re designed in from the start, which is exactly what happens when your building designer has 30 years of construction experience. For more on what renovations cost on the Gold Coast, see our detailed pricing guide.
The completed home delivered six spacious bedrooms plus an executive office, three luxury bathrooms including a Jack and Jill bathroom, a private north-facing saltwater pool designed with 75 per cent fewer chemicals for a more eco-friendly swimming experience, a Zen garden fire pit entertaining area, an oversized remote double garage with internal entry, and a security camera system throughout.
The property was listed by Stone Gold Coast and sold in June 2024 for $2,000,000 — from $440,000 to $2,000,000. That’s a testament to what thoughtful renovation design and quality construction can achieve on the Gold Coast.
Every renovation project is different, but the principles that made this Southport project successful apply broadly.
Buy the location, renovate the house. This Southport pocket was already a premium area — the house just needed to match it.
Design for the Queensland lifestyle. Indoor-outdoor flow, north-facing pool, covered entertaining, wide eaves for shade — these aren’t luxury extras on the Gold Coast, they’re essentials.
Don’t underestimate the scope. A project like this took over three years from first scaffold to final landscaping. Realistic timelines, staged construction, and proper project management are what keep a renovation on track. Our guide on council approval for renovations explains the approval process.
Invest in the things buyers notice. The stone feature walls, the timber ceilings over the alfresco, the Hansgrohe fixtures, the Falcon cooker — these are the details that justify a premium price point.
Having a licensed builder who also designs means every design decision is informed by construction reality. No surprises, no redesigns mid-build, no details that look great on paper but cost a fortune to execute.
A comprehensive renovation like this — including a second storey addition, new pool, and full interior reconfiguration — typically takes 18 months to 3 years depending on scope, council approvals, and weather. This Southport project ran from mid-2015 to late 2018 for the main construction, with landscaping and finishing continuing into 2019.
Major renovations on the Gold Coast typically range from $300,000 to $800,000 or more, depending on the scope. Factors that drive cost include whether you’re adding a second storey, the quality of fixtures and finishes, pool construction, and site-specific challenges. The key is having detailed construction documentation before you start — this is where a building designer with construction experience adds real value.
It depends on the existing structure, the block, and your budget. For this Southport project, the existing footprint and structural elements made renovation the smarter choice — we could retain and extend rather than starting from scratch. Our blog post on knockdown rebuild vs renovation covers the decision framework in detail.
For any renovation that involves structural changes, second storey additions, or council approval, yes. A building designer creates the construction documentation that builders price from and council assesses. Having a designer who is also a licensed builder — like Design Science — means your plans are construction-ready from day one, with accurate detailing that reduces variations and cost blowouts.
Every great renovation starts with a conversation. Whether you’re planning a simple update or a complete transformation like this Southport project, we can help you understand what’s possible, what it will cost, and how to get the best result.
David Steadman
Licensed Builder & Building Designer
David Steadman is the founder of Design Science, a Gold Coast building design practice backed by over 30 years of hands-on construction experience. One of few Australians holding both a QBCC Builder's Licence and Building Designer licence, David brings a rare combination of design thinking and practical building knowledge to every project.
