Australia Trump Tower Project Scrapped in Gold Coast Deal

Australia’s planned Trump-branded tower in Gold Coast has been cancelled just three months after its announcement. The local developer, Altus Property Group, has withdrawn from using the Trump name, citing reputational concerns and public opposition.

Altus CEO David Young said the Trump brand is now viewed negatively in Australia amid global political tensions and recent geopolitical developments. He added that while the project will continue, it will be developed under a new name.

The project was announced in February and planned as a 91-storey luxury skyscraper, intended to become Australia’s tallest building. Under the original agreement with the Trump Organization, it included a 285-room five-star hotel, a shopping complex, and residential apartments.

Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, were reportedly involved in overseeing the project. However, the proposal faced strong criticism in Australia from the beginning. More than 140,000 people signed an online petition opposing the development, mainly due to concerns over Trump’s political stance and policies.

The petition was launched by a woman using the pseudonym “CK”, who said she remained anonymous due to fear of backlash. She described her action as a protest against political violence and unrest in the United States.

David Young dismissed some of the online criticism as unfair but acknowledged the project had become difficult to proceed with due to negative public sentiment and media pressure. He also argued that opposition was largely driven by political views rather than business considerations.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, previously supportive of the idea, noted that no formal development application had been lodged with the council. He also suggested financial disagreements, including brand licensing costs demanded by the Trump Organization, may have contributed to the project’s collapse.

The idea for the tower dates back to 2007 in discussions linked to Ivanka Trump. Despite renewed interest ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, the project has now failed to move forward after nearly two decades of proposals.