In the latest installment of Between the Lines Live, Vanessa Rader, Ray White's head of research sat down on the booming Gold Coast with two local industry leaders, Jackson Rameau from RWC Pacific Group, and Gavin Darke from Clarkes Design and Construct, to unpack the evolving dynamics of the region’s booming industrial and commercial property market.
“The Gold Coast has been a market to watch, particularly post-pandemic,” host Vanessa Rader began. “Across residential and commercial sectors, industrial property has been the choice for investors over the past few years, and there are so many reasons why. Limited developable land, strong rental growth, tight vacancy, and the rise of owner-occupiers have all played a role.”
While demand remains strong, Ms Rader noted that construction continues to be “the stumbling block” for many developers and investors. That’s where Clarkes Design and Construct comes in.
Having been one of the longest-standing builders on the Gold Coast, Gavin Darke has seen the industrial landscape evolve firsthand.
“Industrial is now the darling of the investment world,” he said. “People are drawn to stability. You can purchase land, get approvals relatively quickly, and hit the ground running - that’s what draws a lot of investors to this asset class.”
Mr Darke noted that industrial assets, once seen as “big, dirty, loud, and noisy,” have matured. “We’re seeing a big increase in commercial-industrial hybrids. We’ve done everything from small mum-and-dad builds in the $1.5 million range to large-format industrial developments for national and international brands. That entry-level price point has opened the door to a whole new cross-section of investors.”
For Jackson Rameau, who heads up RWC Pacific Group and is Ray White’s top performing commercial agent, the shift is not just financial but cultural.
“We’re literally sitting in an industrial precinct today, filming in this beautiful studio, something that used to only exist in CBD office towers,” he said. “Buyers are now emotionally attached to these spaces. They can live nearby, have their trailer parked out back, and run their business from the same location.”
Ms Rader added that the surge in rents has driven many businesses to buy rather than lease. “Owner-occupiers are often outbidding investors just to secure their space,” she noted.
Mr Rameau agreed, highlighting the broader wealth effect. “With housing values up nearly 100 per cent in the past five years, many people are buying a smaller apartment for living and an industrial unit on the side, rather than stretching for a big expensive house.”
Clarkes Design and Construct has expanded its reach across South East Queensland, delivering large-scale industrial projects in Ipswich and along the western corridor.
“A lot of these companies return within 12 months to buy more land and expand their facilities,” Mr Darke said. “That shows how strong the broader business community is, across food, manufacturing, appliances, and construction support services. There’s enormous investment pouring into these sectors.”
The builder also pointed to the Gold Coast’s comparative affordability as a continuing drawcard. “Sydney’s had its insane growth,” he said. “The Gold Coast still offers incredible value, even if locals find prices hard to get their heads around. We’re really at the starting line - construction costs and land values will rise, and with them, sale prices too. But it all depends on local and state government supporting that growth.”
The discussion turned to large-format retail, an increasingly sought-after but complex asset class. “It’s more challenging due to showroom-use approvals and access requirements,” Mr Rameau said.
“The national tenants know exactly what they want and can be demanding, but if your land ticks the boxes, location, exposure, accessibility, you’re in a strong position to negotiate. It’s a great asset class, but a hard one to get into.”
For Mr Darke, success lies in focus. “We stick to what we know. There are so many nuances in commercial building, when we build for a dentist, for example, we have to understand exactly what they do and need. Knowing that level of detail is where we excel.”
Mr Rameau echoed the sentiment. “Gavin’s team gets involved from the earliest design stages. It’s about creating that symbiosis between the building and the design, it has to look good and work functionally from a buyer's or end-users perspective.”
When asked what the “next big thing” might be, Mr Rameau was quick to suggest a mixed-use revolution.“If the council allows developments that combine home, office, studio, warehouse, and residence, that would be a game changer,” he said. “I also think we’ll see major momentum in data centres and tech infrastructure.”
Mr Darke added that lifestyle and livability continue to be key drivers. “People move to places where they can make a good living and raise their kids near great schools. That’s what the Gold Coast offers, and we’re not making any new land, so density and build-up will be the next frontier.”
Mr Rameau agreed. “Why move to Brisbane when you can live on the Gold Coast? That mindset just keeps this market getting stronger.”
Having relocated from Western Sydney over a decade ago, Mr Darke said it’s been incredible to watch the Gold Coast mature.
“The same market pressures we saw in Sydney, tight labour, material costs, demand, are now happening here. And honestly, it’s the best place to live and do business.”
