First occupants set to move into Australia 108, highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere

Construction of what will be the highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere when completed, has hit its first major milestone, with the first residents set to move into Australia 108 in Southbank, Melbourne, in June.

Builder Multiplex has handed over the first portion of the building, comprising 277 apartments located between levels 14 and 30.

Construction of the remaining floors above continues to progress rapidly.

The early residents will have access to some of Australia 108’s extensive amenities, with construction of its lap pool and gym area on level 11 having been completed, along with two levels of car parking.

Residents will access their luxury apartments via a fully completed private lobby, with workers accessing the building through separate entrances not visible to residents.

Multiplex envisaged multiple staged handovers, which will see the building completed in several portions.

World Class Global CEO David Ng said it was a historic moment for his iconic project, which is not only on its way to becoming Melbourne’s tallest building but will also house the highest residences in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We extend a warm welcome to all of our inaugural residents who will now call this iconic address home.”

Multiplex regional managing director Graham Cottam said the project was on track for completion in the next two years following a rapid construction process, with the core structure up to level 59 and slabs at level 53.

He noted the glass façade was around 2,500 tonnes of glass spanning 47,000 square metres.

Commencing construction in November 2015, foundation works on Australia 108 took almost nine months to complete, with some of the most substantial piling works undertaken in Melbourne to date.

Drilling went 46 metres deep, with 1950 millimetre thick core walls used in order to strengthen the cloud-breaking building.

The tower’s eye-catching golden Starburst, which will house two full floors of private amenity including two pools 210 metres above street level, is expected to be lifted into place early next year.

Ng said there were only a small number of apartments left in the tower, and opportunities to purchase a home at the iconic address were limited.

To date more than $872 million in sales have been made, with the first handover providing World Class Global with approximately $147 million in recognised revenue.

Priced from $1,957,000, the group of 19 apartments are all located above level 71, offering some of the best views in Melbourne over the CBD and out to Port Phillip Bay.

Launched for sale in November 2014, Australia 108’s 1,103 apartments sold rapidly, with the 750-square metre penthouse setting the record for Australia’s most expensive apartment when it sold to a Chinese national for $25 million in April 2015.

This July, the public will have a chance to see inside Australia 108, with the building included in this year’s Open House Melbourne program. Fender Katsalidis will be hosting tours of the site on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 of July.