Neighbors living next to a new luxury block of apartments on the Gold Coast are not getting the views they wanted, with some complaining they can see residents “showering and fornicating” in their homes.
Some residents of Raptis Group’s Pearl Tower, on Main Beach Parade, are unintentionally having their privacy breached thanks to clear bathroom windows, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.
Images seen by the publication show residents, the first of whom moved into the 30-story-tower in October, clearly showering in the bathroom, unaware they can be seen by others.
One resident of the Spinnaker Apartments, which is next door, labeled the windows a “fundamental design flaw” by Raptis – headed by veteran Gold Coast developer Jim Raptis – and a “lack of oversight by Council.”
“Spinnaker Apartment residents are looking out of their kitchens into new Pearl resident’s bathrooms watching them urinate, shower, and fornicate,” they told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“It was a shock to see people so close and intimate from the kitchen window when people first moved in.”
However, the resident said they were most concerned for their new neighbors.
“Do they know we can see them showering? How embarrassing for them.”
Pearl Tower was completed earlier this year and boasts 360-degree views from the ocean to the skyline and hinterland.
The apartments were built mid-year before residents began moving in last month.
A spokesman for Raptis Group told the Gold Coast Bulletin the building has “been certified by all relevant building and design authorities”, noting “all apartment features comply with the Construction Code.”
“Raptis has been building apartments on the Gold Coast for more than 40 years and have always complied with the relevant building codes,” he said.
“It is alarming that a resident had their privacy breached by a neighboring resident in the Spinnaker Tower.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson reassured news.com.au that privacy was considered in the development application for the building.
“City officers were satisfied the development met the planning scheme provisions in relation to privacy and amenity protection with setbacks and a separation distance over 17m to the nearest tower,” the spokesperson said.
“Under the planning scheme, there are no specific glazing requirements for non-habitable rooms.”
News.com.au contacted Raptis Group for comment.
