Sydney Roosters legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and his wife Chelsea are taking their property prowess north, securing a prime Gold Coast development site in a popular beachside pocket.
The recently retired NRL enforcer, who returned to the Roosters in 2026 in a mentoring and coaching role following a final playing stint with Hull KR in the UK, dropped $2.2 million on a dual-income property at 90 Dolphin Ave, Mermaid Beach.
Retired Roosters star JWH and wife Chelsea have snapped up a Mermaid Beach development site
Secured off-market by Gold Coast buyer’s agent and former NRL player Matt Srama, the 519sq m block has 14.1m frontage, with a pair of two-bedroom villas in neat original condition, each with a large lock-up garage.
While the property currently offers strong rental return, the couple has grand plans to build luxury duplexes that max out the local height limits and capitalise on the area’s booming lifestyle market.
The couple has flipped a number of Sydney properties. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
The Waerea-Hargreaves are no strangers to the property game. During his 316-game NRL career, the pair successfully flipped multiple properties in Sydney’s affluent Mosman, including a knockdown-rebuild that fetched nearly $8m in 2023, and another home sold for $5m in 2020 after a smart renovation.
The property has ocean-view potential and is just metres from the beach
It houses two units with strong rental return
“They’ve done developments in the past, but this will be their first on the Gold Coast,” Mr Srama said.
“Jared reached out to our team, having that footy connection, because he wanted to secure something here.
“He’s observed that the Gold Coast market is moving a lot faster than some of the other locations they’ve worked in.”
The couple’s brief was for a mid-to-high-end luxury development, with the booming Oxley 1823 precinct in nearby Nobby Beach serving as a major drawcard.
“We needed to nail the location, and that whole precinct around Nobby was a big drawcard because the demographic there is crying out for premium, turnkey stock,” Mr Srama said.
“This site is really unique. Not only does it offer a dual-income stream right now, but it also has a direct view corridor straight down Heron Avenue.”
Waerea-Hargreaves played 316 NRL games during his career. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The player in action for Hull KR in 2025 in Manchester, England. Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
With the tenants expected to stay on while the market continues to grow, there is no rush to bring in the bulldozers.
But the enterprising couple has already begun assembling a team of the Gold Coast’s best designers and builders.
The project is likely to feature basement parking and high-end wellness facilities – a must-have to cater to the wish lists of cashed-up Coast buyers, Mr Srama said.
“We’re noticing a massive wellness trend for higher-end properties in these beachside locations.
“People really value having the cafe lifestyle nearby, but they also want a sanctuary at home. We get huge buyer requests for saunas, hot pools, oxygen chambers and cryotherapy...though honestly, I prefer an ice plunge myself!”
The duplexes are expected to be replaced by luxury homes with next-level wellness features
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While Waerea-Hargreaves is currently tied to Sydney guiding the next generation of Roosters forwards, a permanent move to the Sunshine State isn’t out of the question for the father of three, who grew up in Brisbane.
“When they first got in contact, I asked about their long-term owner-occupier plans, and the Gold Coast was definitely on the cards.
“Jared said he eventually wanted to join all the other retired NRL players up here,” Mr Srama joked.
Is a Gold Coast move on the cards for the couple and their three children?
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