The beachside lifestyle beckons in a newly built Burleigh Waters home that combines
laid-back coastal vibes with a touch of Mediterranean luxury.
Located just 500m from the beach at 27 Banksia Broadway, the two-storey home was
created by Bianca and Michael Russo who packed up their seven children in 2022 and
swapped a Swan Hill stone fruit farm for a Gold Coast sea-change.
“We had lived in Victoria and were moving to the Gold Coast to start a new adventure,” Mrs
Russo said.
“We found this beautiful corner block in Burleigh and loved that it was close to James St and
the beach.”
The couple’s goal was to create a modern Mediterranean home with a Palm Springs
influence.
They worked with popular Gold Coast designer Jayson Pate along with HNKN
builders — which created famous Dahlia Estate in Tallebudgera Valley — to bring their vision to life.
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Unique character: No straight walls in this waterfront home
Featuring archways, a light colour palette, oak flooring and natural materials including timber
accents and stonework, the four-bedroom home makes use of every centimetre of its
coveted corner position while embracing the indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
“We wanted a beautiful white facade, and clean lines, which are softened by curves, and we
love the curved arches that are part of the design,” Mrs Russo said.
On the lower floor, the open plan living dining and kitchen area opens out onto a covered al
fresco entertaining space overlooking a designated barbecue zone and stunning circular
pool.
“We had a look at a lot of other houses, and we had seen one other with a circular pool,” Mrs
Russo said.
“We loved that we could incorporate the pool into the corner curve of the block, and it
provided so much more backyard to enjoy.”
Adjacent to the pool is a designated barbecue area, along with a grassed yard with ample
space for a trampoline, or firepit.
Boasting state of the art appliances, the kitchen includes a butler’s pantry and overlooks the
outdoor entertaining areas.
“The kitchen is so focal to the living area, dining space and outside area,” Mrs Russo said.
“And it’s lovely that you can see right through to the pool and yard from that position.”
Meanwhile, the lower level also features a guest bedroom with ensuite and a carport with
space for three vehicles.
The upper floor is home to an additional living area along with a study and a further three
bedrooms including a spacious master with walk-in robe and ensuite.
The Russos always intended the property to be a project they would sell on completion, and,
having been bitten by the development bug, are keen to repeat the process again in the
future.
“I love interior design and my husband loves renovating, but we had never built from scratch
before,” Mrs Russo said.
“It was so much fun to do and has been so rewarding that we’d love to do it again.”
In the meantime, the Russos are relishing every aspect of the Gold Coast lifestyle and are
considering tapping into their farming roots with the purchase of a fruit shop.
“We used to holiday here in Burleigh all the time, and it’s just such a wonderful laid-back
lifestyle,” Mrs Russo said.
“It’s been nice to have a change, and we just love it.”
As to whom the home would suit, Mrs Russo said it would accommodate a range of potential
buyers.
“It could be older couples, families, or professionals,” she reflected.
“It’s a property that suits a lot of different people.”
The modern Mediterranean Burleigh home with a Palm Springs twist is listed with Troy
Fitzgerald of Ray White Burleigh and is set to go to auction on October 26.
-Cassandra Charlesworth