Lanai Luxury Apartments will welcome its first residents this week following the successful completion of Mackay’s tallest residential building, which was designed to complement and enhance the tropical north’s climate and relaxed lifestyle.

The $28 million project was designed by BVN Architecture and is one of the first in Mackay’s new riverside precinct, part of the Mackay City Council’s urban rejuvenation strategy.

Located on a prominent site on River Street, Lanai Luxury Apartments offers residents breathtaking views across the Pioneer River and beyond to the harbour and northern beaches.

The striking building stands at 11-storeys and is Mackay’s tallest and most luxurious, setting a new benchmark for tropical urban design.

Shane Thompson from BVN said the design was influenced by Queensland’s quintessential love of the veranda and “barefoot” lifestyle.

“Lanai is the Polynesian word for ‘outdoor living’ so the design focused on interpreting that in a modern tropical way and to capture the natural surrounds and magnificent views from every vantage point,” Mr Thompson said.

Each of the 80 apartments is orientated to a north-eastern aspect in order to capture the magnificent views and cooling breezes.

As well as enhancing the natural outlook, particular attention was paid to designing homes that offered flexible, luxurious and spacious living areas that opened onto the large balconies.

Master bedrooms are located at the front of the building and enjoy the best views, as well as high-end inclusions like dressing rooms and well-appointed ensuite bathrooms.

The three-bedroom penthouse Sky Homes offer private landscaped rooftop terraces, each with a covered barbecue and dining area and plunge pool.

Mr Thompson said Lanai was designed with a community focus and features a range of first-class residential facilities on the ground level, including a gym, sauna and recreation area that opens onto lush gardens and a large resort pool.

The predominantly white facade has a strong sculptural appearance and is complemented by a series of adjustable sunshade devices, finished in pale earth colours derived from Mackay’s landscape of sand, stone and soil.

“North Queensland cities like Mackay have been known in the past as sleepy tropical towns, but they have since evolved into cosmopolitan hubs with thriving cafe and restaurant precincts as well as expanded cultural and leisure amenities,” he said.

“Buildings like Lanai Luxury Apartments are a natural response to this urban transformation, embracing a tropics-appropriate urban design and lifestyle.”

Lanai Luxury Apartments was developed by the Chamos Group and officially launches this weekend.

BVN was recently awarded a commendation by the Australian Institute of Architects earlier this month for the Searene Apartments development at Airlie Beach, a building on an elevated site that features 40 apartments designed to enjoy views of the Whitsunday islands and coastline.