For more than 30 years, The Castle commanded one of the Gold Coast’s most coveted positions, perched atop the North Burleigh headland. Its four-storey sandstone turrets were visible for miles. To locals, it was a landmark. To Mactech Constructions’ founder and Managing Director, Nick McDonald, it was something more personal.

‘I’d driven past The Castle since I was a kid,’ he recalls. ‘It’s definitely one of the most unique houses I’ve ever been through. Some called it gaudy but, in my opinion, it sat on the best site on the entire Gold Coast.’

When Mactech Constructions secured the property in 2023, Nick partnered with building designer Jayson Pate to explore every option for retaining the original structure. ‘Unfortunately, it was riddled with concrete cancer,’ Nick says. ‘Tiles were falling off, and it ultimately became too unsafe to keep.’

With a full rebuild unavoidable, attention turned to unlocking the site’s extraordinary potential. ‘We knew we had to capture both the horizontal and vertical opportunities,’ Nick says, referring to the sweeping 360-degree views spanning ocean to hinterland.

The result is Cloudbreak, a five-level residence configured as one half of a dual-occupancy development. Each townhouse offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms across an 800-square-metre floorplan defined by soaring voids.

Designing for shared ownership presented unique challenges. ‘We wanted to achieve the privacy and permanence of a stand-alone home,’ Nick explains. Double-wall construction, offset entries and carefully considered orientation ensure both acoustic separation and independence.

The challenges Nick and his team faced were significant. The site sat perched on a cliff edge, hemmed in by neighbouring homes – and they were going in partially blind. ‘We couldn’t get all the engineering and geotechnical reports completed while the castle was still standing,’ Nick explains. ‘We ended up having to add more piers and structural support than we’d anticipated.’

Beyond managing the build itself, Nick and his wife Bridget are the townhouse’s owners – which added another layer of pressure entirely. But as the project evolved, so did their needs – quite literally. ‘Originally the pool was designed as a pure infinity pool,’ Nick says, ‘but we started the project with one child and soon had a second on the way. So, we decided to add a shallow pond end where the little ones could safely splash about.’

Externally, timber screening, cascading gardens and floor-to-ceiling glazing create a striking arrival, softened by mature, established landscaping. A Madagascan dragon tree and grey crazy-paving anchor the frontage. ‘The landscaping was planted early to soften the boldness of the design over time,’ Nick explains. The form draws on contemporary and brutalist influences, its commanding presence a quiet echo of the original faux castle.

Entry is via a concealed garage door, seamlessly integrated into the facade. From the basement level – carved into the cliff – the home unfolds upwards. Here, a wellness retreat, featuring hot and cold plunge pools, gym and home cinema, opens unexpectedly to expansive hinterland views.

A series of glass floor panels span all five levels, allowing filtered daylight to penetrate deep into the home while maintaining a visual connection between the zones. Each level serves a distinct purpose, linked by a lift: guest and family accommodation below, followed by the master suite, then open-plan kitchen, living and dining.

At the pinnacle, a rooftop entertaining terrace delivers the ultimate showpiece. A cantilevered pool edged with 18 metres of glass, a spa and even a private helipad define the space. ‘In the morning you look across the Pacific Ocean, and in the afternoon the hinterland,’ Nick notes.

HIA judges praised the exceptional level of workmanship, particularly in the island bench and integrated dining table, both poured in-situ and finished in micro-cement. ‘We wanted it to feel as though it was extruded from the floor,’ Nick explains. Bathrooms continue the bespoke approach, including a bathtub finished in crazy pave.

Material selections emphasise richness and longevity, from Marrakesh Onyx stone to custom frameless glazing and engineered balustrades. Every junction and transition is carefully resolved, supporting a timeless, refined palette. ‘We chose materials that would age beautifully, not perfectly,’ Nick says.

Lighting is largely indirect and attuned to natural conditions, with reflections from the rooftop pool refracting through voids to animate surfaces. Services, blinds and mechanical systems are fully integrated.

Following its win as the 2025 HIA Queensland Townhouse of the Year, Mactech went on to take out both the 2026 HIA Australian Townhouse of the Year and the coveted HIA Australian Home of the Year at the recent celebration held on the Gold Coast. Mactech continued its success with another project, Finca Talluca, winning the 2026 HIA Australian Kitchen of the Year and HIA Australian Bathroom of the Year.

According to HIA General Manager – Awards, Jenny Haling, winning both HIA Australian Townhouse of the Year and HIA Australian Home of the Year is a rarity. ‘Typically, we see our stand-alone homes take out the Australian Home of the Year, so it’s exciting to have a multi-dwelling residence recognised this year. The quality of the build and amenity for the residents is exceptional, with the privacy and comfort comparable to a single dwelling.’

Nick agrees there’s a shift occurring. ‘With less space on the ground, perhaps our homes need to take more space in the sky,’ he says. ‘But that shouldn’t come at the expense of privacy or lifestyle.’

But the win carries something prophetic for Nick, too. ‘When I was starting my apprenticeship, I remember watching a home being built right next to the castle. Their signage was up, and I thought to myself: that’s the dream. My own name on a site, right here. Years later, that’s exactly what happened.’

Materials

• Exterior paving: Crazy pave in Arenisca grey slate from Stone Style
• Battens: NewTechWood system in Ebony by NewtechWood
• Windows: 400 CentreGLAZE medium framing in custom matt black by Swell Architecture
• Joinery: New Age Veneers Laminate in Windsor by Mosh Joinery
• Interior feature: Marrakesh Onyx natural stone from Custom Stone Solutions
• Air-conditioning: Daikin
• CBus System: Clipsal
• Pool, spa, hot & ice bath: Evolution Water & Lighting Solutions
• Furniture curation: Mi zepp Studio
• Landscaping: JSW Landscape & Design
• Feature Render: Trend Rendering.

Time to shine

Celebrate outstanding workmanship, innovation and leadership. Entries for the 2026 HIA Awards are now open and close in May 2026. Showcase your work, acknowledge your team and take your place among the industry’s best.

Enter now