The developer Marquee has given the go ahead for Gold Coast builders Rawcorp to start construction work on Monday now that building approval and funding has been finalised. Marquee chief executive Mark Spedding said buyers who had been hesitant to commit to purchase before building commenced will now rush to secure the last remaining apartments, many of which have as much floor space as a home. Remaining two and three-bedroom apartments at The Catalina, ranging from 91sq m to 182sq m, are priced from $569,000 to $1.1 million.

This is a huge boost in confidence for buyers who can see this project is real, and can start getting excited about settling into their new home by late next year,” Mr Spedding said. “While some other projects on the Gold Coast have been delayed in commencing, The Catalina is moving ahead and nearing sell out. “

The project saw a spike in enquiry in February with the opening of a new Green Bridge between Chevron Island and the Home of the Arts precinct at Surfers Paradise. Carey Parsons and Marc Laurenson are among the latest buyers to call The Catalina home, with the couple moving from the Blue Mountains in New South Wales to enjoy a new coastal Queensland lifestyle. “I have family who live on the Gold Coast and it’s always been a great place to visit, so we started looking for an apartment a couple of months ago and couldn’t go past The Catalina,” Mr Parsons said. “Our townhome in the Blue Mountains has an art deco design, so moving to The Catalina will be like taking a piece of home with us.” The couple chose a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment which features double vanities in the master bedroom ensuite and a second bedroom with a curved feature wall.