Former MasterChef contestant swaps Sydney for beachfront luxury at Royale Gold Coast

Former MasterChef contestant Metter Chin and his partner Joseph Sbarro have moved into their luxury Gold Coast beachfront apartment four years after buying off the plan.

The Sydney couple bought a two-bedroom residence at Royale in Surfers Paradise as a holiday home, attracted by its beachfront position, ocean views, apartment design and private resident amenities.

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

Former MasterChef contestant Metter Chin (right) and his partner Joseph Sbarro have moved into their luxury Gold Coast beachfront apartment four years after buying off the plan.

Now settled into their new home, Mr Chin and Mr Sbarro say they expect to spend considerably more time at Royale, including escaping Sydney winters for extended stays on the Gold Coast.

“We bought Royale as a holiday home so we could come and go whenever we pleased, but now that we have moved in, we can see ourselves spending much more time here,” said Mr Chin, who appeared on hit Channel 10 cooking show MasterChef in 2019.

“It is an incredibly convenient and relaxed lifestyle.”

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

Former MasterChef contestant Metter Chin (right) and his partner Joseph Sbarro.

MORE NEWS: How another rate rise could wipe out 72 Qld suburbs

Flood of clicks hits city’s unlikeliest street

‘Not a rounding error’: RBA move to wipe $58k off loans

As someone who loves to cook, Mr Chin said their Royale apartment kitchen had particularly impressed him, while the Club Royale entertaining facilities had provided another dimension to hosting family and friends.

“I love cooking, so the kitchen was always going to be important to me, and I have been particularly impressed by the design, finishes and butler’s pantry,” Mr Chin said.

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

“But having Club Royale downstairs means we can also entertain outside our apartment on a completely different scale, with spaces specially designed for bringing people together.

“We recently had friends visiting from interstate and hosted dinner for 12 people, including some of our fellow Royale residents.

“We started with drinks at the bar before moving into the private dining room for dinner, then at the end of the evening we simply returned upstairs to our apartment.

“For someone who loves cooking and entertaining, it’s an exceptional way to live.”

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

Developed by DD Living, designed by DKO Architecture with interiors by Mim Design and constructed by Hutchinson Builders, Royale includes 103 residences at 7-9 Northcliffe Terrace.

Mr Sbarro said the sense of community had been another important part of their experience.

“DD Living and Total Property Group hosted several events throughout the construction phase, giving us the opportunity to meet other purchasers, so by the time we moved in, we already knew quite a few of our neighbours,” Mr Sbarro said.

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

“We have become good friends with several residents and were recently invited to a 40th birthday celebration in the private lounge and bar.

“Royale can be as social or as private as you want it to be, and that balance really suits us.

“We had never bought off the plan before, so we were naturally cautious, but we were looked after throughout the entire process, from purchasing, through the construction to settlement and moving in and we couldn’t be happier.”

Royale in Surfers Paradise.

Total Property Group managing director and Royale Gold Coast marketing manager Adrian Parsons said Mr Chin and Mr Sbarro’s experience demonstrated how Royale’s extensive amenities had become an extension of residents’ private homes.

“When Metter and Joseph purchased in 2022, they had a very clear vision of the beachfront lifestyle they wanted, and now they are living it,” Mr Parsons said.

“Now that residents have moved in, we are seeing these spaces genuinely being used every day, whether that is exercising in the wellness facilities, entertaining friends in the private dining room or meeting neighbours for a drink in Club Royale.”

The completed 38-level Royale Gold Coast has a limited number of apartments available starting from $5.671m.