The first designs for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Village were unveiled this week, the Queensland government releasing details of the master plan, flythrough video and artists’ impressions of the buildings.

Late last year it was announced that Arkhefield, ARM Architecture & Archipelago would be the architects for the Games Village and will work with Grocon to develop the site.

The transformation of 29-hectare site will begin in 2015 with the construction of the Commonwealth Games Village to deliver essential accommodation and services in time for the 6,500 athletes and officials in Games-mode.

The Games Village will occupy seven hectares of the Parklands site and will include 1,200 permanent apartments and townhouses and a neighbourhood retail centre. 

After the games, the infrastructure will be transformed into a new mixed-use community.

This will include a new residential community and a business hub for health and knowledge, commercial and retail development. This will be integrated with the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct which is already open for business.

The Commonwealth Games Village has been architecturally designed and captures the essence of the sub-tropical environment of Queensland’s south coast with special attention being paid to sunlight, shading, natural air flows and water.

Site for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Village. Image: QLD GOV.

Artist impression of the Commonwealth Games Village. Image: QLD GOV

Minister for Tourism, Small Business, Events and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey said the Games Village will be an iconic hub during, and long after, the Games have finished.

“After the Games, Parklands will provide significant infrastructure as it becomes home to people and new businesses as part of a modern, mixed-used community which will include residential and a new business hub for health and knowledge, commercial and retail development.” 

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman lauded the “quality of the architecture”, telling the Brisbane Times it will be a sought-after place to live after the Games.

"It's very high quality, great urban planning and great public open space, with seven hectares of the 29-hectare site being open space,” he said.

Artist impression of the Commonwealth Games Village. Image: QLD GOV

Master plan of games village. Image: QLD GOV.