The first five-star resort to be developed in 30 years on the Sunshine Coast is set to create 3,400 jobs during construction, 1,400 jobs after and to generate $59 million in new tourism spend each year. The development by Sekisui House Australia comprises the Westin Coolum Spa and Resort and is planned to have 16 beachfront properties, 757 apartments and a shopping centre.

Hassell's architects are creating an ecological, natural and sustainable design, giving it the feel of a "coastal village" with a shopping centre, offices, cafes and restaurants. There will also be large parks with walkways through the native bush giving pedestrians easy access to the beach. To inspire visitors, there will also be a beach ecology and indigenous education centre.

“We have designed a building that is understated and more of a natural extension of the landscape and the character of the Sunshine Coast. It sets a new benchmark for the architectural expression of the region – a building that embraces the local vernacular and evolves this to create a new exemplar,” said Hassell principal Kevin Lloyd.

“The façade is expressed as a series of distinct elements, with landscape drawn vertically through the building, connecting the permeable ground plane with a series of richly landscaped terraces at roof level."

With the Sunshine Coast Council’s vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region, Sekisui House development manager Evan Aldridge said this development would work towards this goal. “Yaroomba Beach will be targeting a 6-star Green Star community built with the latest sustainable building technology and managed and operated with a commitment to the future," he said.

“Yaroomba Beach will be providing the high-end, short term accommodation and conference facilities needed for tourism to continue to create jobs and contribute to the Sunshine Coast economy,” Aldridge said.