MYST Frank Developments

Buffeted by coastal breezes, the clouds over North Burleigh beach are like a kinetic sculpture, by turn clustering and scattering, floating imperceptibly or gathering with speed. Inspired by this perpetual motion, Frank Developments has created MYST at 270 The Esplanade, a residential addition to the Gold Coast skyline that blurs the boundaries between architecture and art.

Just as the rolling clouds echo the curved sweep of the beach, so too are MYST’s graceful curves designed to mirror the sea-softened contours of the coast. As ByCulprit design director Luke Henderson explains, “with MYST, our design team drew inspiration from mist or ‘ocean clouds’ to design a unique collection of luxury residences that blend sweeping Pacific Ocean views with interior privacy, comfort and warmth.” The lighter-than-air design is characterised by a mille-feuille of slender, curved balconies and glass balustrades that form a uniquely sculptural offering on the Burleigh beachfront. With no filter between MYST’s interiors and the siren song of the sea, residents can enjoy a lifestyle in harmony with the tides, from invigorating morning swims to sunset walks on the sand.

“With MYST, our design team drew inspiration from mist or ‘ocean clouds’ to design a unique collection of luxury residences that blend sweeping Pacific Ocean views with interior privacy, comfort and warmth.”

This connection with the natural environment was a driving force behind the design, which includes bookended balconies and seamless expanses of glass, so residents can appreciate the unmatched beauty of the location – the land and the light – from every angle and hear the whisper of waves sliding over the shore. Through its intrinsic connection with place, MYST manifests a specific state of being: the blissful calm and sense of harmony with nature that’s inevitably inspired by the ocean.

“MYST is a unique project for The Esplanade and it doesn’t compromise on space,” says Frank Licastro, the managing director and founder of Frank Developments. This elevated offering features 32 generously proportioned apartments across 18 storeys, including one dual-storey beach home with a private terrace, as well as a penthouse and sub-penthouse, both with four bedrooms and spanning a whole floor. The three-to-four-bedroom residences feature an expansive sense of space that is amplified by the flowing interiors, designed as a direct continuation of the exterior’s lyrical curves and otherworldly sense of lightness.

“MYST is a unique project for The Esplanade and it doesn’t compromise on space.”

Each of the mirror-image apartments – no more than two per floor – is designed with open-plan living spaces facing out towards the ocean, inviting in coastal breezes, the changing light and the shifting moods of the sea.

The palette is designed to capture a sense of barefoot luxury, with the interiors crafted in ecru tones, brushed nickel, natural stone and blond timber. Travertine, echoing wind-sculpted sand, features throughout and is the dominant material of the minimalist kitchen. With premium appliances hidden behind seamless cabinetry, this visually calm space is as much for living as for culinary expression. The bathrooms are spa sanctuaries, with indulgent oversized showers, double vanities and soothing lighting, set within a serene palette of ecru hues. They are designed as self-care spaces, where one can start and end each day in understated luxury.

The quest for everyday healing is further supported by MYST’s wellness facilities, which cater for both self-care and community connection. The resort-style amenities include a pool, sauna and fitness studio, plus alfresco kitchens and dining areas where one can unwind with loved ones. For quiet moments, the lush gardens offer privacy within MYST’s grounds.

“We love the strong sense of community at North Burleigh and wanted to create a space where residents can truly enjoy the peaceful surroundings,” says Licastro. There’s an enticing yin and yang to the MYST experience, with the quiet tranquillity of its studiously serene architecture contrasted with the invigorating bustle of the nearby dining and shopping precincts. Located in the heart of North Burleigh, one can stroll to any of the neighbouring beaches or natural landmarks like Burleigh Hill. When lively social connection is sought, gastronomic meccas like Rick Shores and Labart, as well as the newly opened Mondrian Gold Coast, are a saunter south, while an easy amble north takes one to The Oxley 1823 precinct, an epicurean’s delight with its assortment of casual dining and gourmet retail.

Currently under construction, MYST is both in the thick of the action and a world apart – an ode to this vibrant and exciting location and a singular sanctuary of calm.

Architecture and interior design by ByCulprit. Landscape design by Urbis. Development by Frank Developments.

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