Updated: July 4, 2026
The proposed Trump-branded tower for Surfers Paradise is no longer moving ahead under the Trump name, marking a sharp reversal for one of the most talked-about luxury property plans on the Gold Coast.
The project was first promoted as a $1.5 billion, 91-storey skyscraper at 3 Trickett Street, with Altus Property Group and The Trump Organization presenting it as a future landmark for Queensland’s tourism strip. But the agreement has since collapsed, and no formal development application was lodged with the City of Gold Coast.
Trump Tower Gold Coast plan scrapped months after announcement
Altus Property Group chief executive David Young had said the deal with The Trump Organization was signed at Mar-a-Lago on February 14, 2026. The proposal was later promoted as a 340-metre luxury tower with hotel rooms, high-end apartments, restaurants, retail space and resort-style amenities.
The tower was pitched as a project that could challenge Australia’s tallest-building rankings and bring a global luxury brand to Surfers Paradise. However, by May 2026, the Trump-branded version of the development had been abandoned.
According to ABC News, the project was removed from The Trump Organization’s website after the two sides ended their agreement.
Why the deal fell apart
The two parties gave different explanations for the split. David Young said the Trump brand had become harder to market in Australia, while The Trump Organization said Altus had not met required obligations under the agreement.
That dispute matters because the original announcement gave the impression of a fast-moving project. In reality, the proposal had not yet reached the formal planning stage. Without a lodged development application, the tower remained an early-stage concept rather than an approved project ready for construction.
No development application was lodged
The City of Gold Coast had not received a formal application for the Trump-branded tower before the agreement ended. That means key details such as final height, design, traffic impacts, wind engineering, public-realm changes and construction timing had not gone through council assessment.
The site at 3 Trickett Street has long been considered a valuable development parcel because of its central Surfers Paradise location. It previously held approval for a major high-rise project, but a Trump-branded replacement would still have required fresh scrutiny if the design, scale or use changed materially.
What was planned for the Surfers Paradise site
The original concept included luxury residences, a hotel component and a resort-style podium with hospitality, retail and leisure facilities. Apartments were expected to target the premium end of the market, with reported starting prices around $5 million.
The proposal also carried a strong branding angle. A Trump tower would have been the organization’s first branded development in Australia, giving the project global visibility but also exposing it to political and reputational debate.
What happens next
Altus has indicated it still wants to pursue a luxury development on the site, potentially under a different brand. That means the land may still become the subject of a major high-rise proposal, even though the Trump name is no longer attached.
For Surfers Paradise, the key issue is now whether a revised plan emerges with a new hotel or residential partner. Any future proposal will need to clear the normal planning process before construction can begin.
Why the collapse matters for the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast has a long history of ambitious tower proposals, especially around Surfers Paradise and Southport. Some reshape the skyline, while others stall because of funding, approvals, market conditions or design changes.
The abandoned Trump Tower plan shows how quickly a high-profile announcement can change before a project reaches council assessment. For buyers, investors and local businesses, the most important milestones are not branding claims but formal applications, approvals, financing, presales and confirmed construction timelines.
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The current status
As of July 2026, the Trump-branded Gold Coast tower is not proceeding. The agreement between Altus Property Group and The Trump Organization has ended, the project is no longer listed by The Trump Organization, and no development application for the Trump-branded proposal has been filed with the City of Gold Coast.
The 3 Trickett Street site remains important, but its future now depends on whether Altus or another development partner brings forward a new proposal with a different brand, design and approval pathway.
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