Eureka Tower

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name = Eureka Tower


caption = Eureka Tower, Southbank, Melbourne
location = Melbourne, Australia
constructed = August 2002 - June 2006
opening = October 11, 2006
use = Residential
roof = 300 m (984.3 ft) [cite web |url=http://eurekaskydeck.com.au/cool-tower-facts.asp |title=Eureka Tower Facts |accessdate=2008-04-14]
floor_count = 91 plus 1 underground [cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131515|title=Eureka Tower, Melbourne|publisher=Emporis|accessdate=2007-10-24]
architect = Fender Katsalidis
contractor = Grocon
developer = Eureka Tower Pty Ltd

Eureka Tower is a convert|300|m|ft|0|abbr=off|lk=on|adj=on skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, Australia. Construction began in August 2002 and the exterior completed on June 1 2006. The plaza was finished in June 2006 and the building was officially opened on October 11 2006. The project was designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis Australia and was built by Grocon (Grollo Australia). The developer of the tower was Eureka Tower Pty Ltd, a joint venture consisting of Daniel Grollo (Grocon), investor Tab Fried and one of the Tower's architects Nonda Katsalidis. The tower is the world's tallest residential tower when measured to its highest floor, but Q1 located on the Gold Coast is officially the world's tallest residential building as its spire adds to its total height. cite web|url=http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/eureka/| title=Design Build Network - Eureka Tower, Melbourne, Victoria|accessdate=2007-10-18]

Name

Eureka Tower is named after the Eureka Stockade, a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush in 1854. This has been incorporated into the design, with the building's gold crown representing the gold rush and a red stripe representing the blood spilt during the revolt. The blue glass cladding that covers most of the building represents the blue background of the stockade's flag and the white lines also represent the eureka stockade flag.

Height

When measured either by the height of its roof, or by the height of its highest habitable floor, Eureka Tower is the tallest residential building in the world. It is also currently the building with the most floors available for residential occupancy in the world. The building stands 297.3 metres in height (around 300 m above sea level), with 91 storeys above ground plus one basement level. It is one of only six buildings in the world with 90 or more storeys but is merely the 43^rd tallest building in the world, as there are many other buildings with antennas and spires mounted on top, as well as the fact that apartment buildings generally require less height between floors than office buildings. It is also the second tallest building in Australia and the tallest building in Melbourne, eclipsing the Rialto Towers. The single level basement and first 9 floors contain car parking. The building's proximity to the water table as well as the Yarra River made a basement car park uneconomic to construct. There are a total of 84 floors of apartments (including some floors shared between car parking and apartments) with the remainder being used for building facilities and the observation deck.

The 78-storey Q1 apartment tower in Gold Coast, Queensland is the tallest residential building in the world when measured to the top of its spire, which reaches a height of 322.5m. According to the ranking system developed by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Q1 qualifies as the taller building in two of the four categories in which heights are ranked, namely Pinnacle Height and Architectural Top, while the Eureka Tower is taller in the other two categories, Roof Height and Highest Occupied Floor. For comparison, the Q1 building has its top floor at a height of 235m, some 62 metres lower than Eureka's roof. The Eureka Tower had plans to create a mast on the top so it would be taller than the Q1 building in Gold Coast, Queensland. But these plans have been quiet ever since it has been completed.

Construction

The tower was built using reinforced concrete using a slipform method. Eureka Tower's lift core superseded the height of Rialto Towers on November 9 2004.

On May 23 2006, the crane on top of the tower was dismantled by a smaller crane, which was dismantled by a smaller crane that could be taken down the service elevator.

Eureka Tower has 24 carat (100%) gold plated glass windows on the top 10 floors of the building. Installation of the gold glass was completed in March 2006. Apartment owners and tenants had taken up residence in the building between Ground Level and Level 80 as of July 2006.

The "Summit Levels" (floors 82 to 87) contain only one apartment per floor: each apartment had an original price tag of A$7 million just for the empty space; purchasers were required to fit out the apartment at additional cost.

On October 11 2006, the tower was officially opened by then Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20562552-29277,00.html http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20562552-29277,00.html] ]

Observation deck (Eureka Skydeck 88)

The observation deck (Eureka Skydeck 88) occupies the entire 88th floor of the Eureka Tower and is the highest public vantage point (285m/935 ft) in the Southern Hemisphere. It opened to the public on May 15, 2007. An entry fee applies to access the Skydeck.

The Skydeck features thirty viewfinders that help visitors to pinpoint numerous significant landmarks around all parts of Melbourne, along with several free binoculars. There is a small outside area called 'The Terrace' which is closed in high winds. There is also a glass cube called 'The Edge', that extracts itself from the building to hang over the edge of the tower and add to the viewing experience.

On January 10 2005, Grocon, the firm building Eureka Tower, proposed adding a 53.75 m communications mast/observation tower. The proposal is currently before the local planning commission. This mast would be a significant structure, used for providing an adventure climb to the tip of the summit.

On April 16 2006, a new proposal was announced that the construction company and developers were considering options for the building to have a "skywalk" that would take daring people up 350 metres high. The proposed structure may also house a communication tower.

The Edge

Skydeck 88 features 'The Edge' - a glass cube which projects three metres out from the building with visitors inside, suspended almost 300 metres above the ground. When you enter, the glass is opaque as the cube moves out over the edge of the building. Once fully extended over the edge, the glass becomes clear to the sounds of smashing glass and machine malfunctions. [ [http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,,21637111-2862,00.html http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,,21637111-2862,00.html] ]

Riding in 'The Edge' incurs an additional cost to the entry price of Skydeck. 'The Edge' is easily accessible by wheelchair; children seven years or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Photography is prohibited in 'The Edge' despite being permitted elsewhere on the Skydeck, but patrons can purchase a souvenir photo of themselves within 'The Edge'.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.eurekatower.com.au/ Official website]
* [http://www.eurekatower.com.au/photos.asp Official construction photo gallery]
* [http://www.eurekalookout.com.au/ Eureka Tower Observation Deck Website]
* [http://www.apartmentreviews.com.au/buildings/00096.htm Eureka Tower apartments]
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131515 Emporis Page]
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