Brisbane tower set to be third tallest in Australia and loom over Harry Triguboff’s Soleil

The skyline of Brisbane could reach new heights with a 90-storey CBD tower approved by the council and set for 2015 completion.

Developer Billbergia intends to build the 274-metre tower named 111+222 on the site of an abandoned Vision project bounded by Mary and Margaret streets.

It will stand 31 metres above Harry Triguboff’s Meriton Soleil tower, which was officially opened two weeks ago.

Billbergia bought the site for $40 million in 2010 in a liquidation sale of Austcorp’s failed $1 billion tower, which had been due for May 2012 completion before it went nowhere during the global financial crisis, leaving a water-logged eight-storey pit. The site previously sold for $24 million in 2004.

Billbergia has secured funding from AMP Capital.

The Bates Smart-designed development proposal was for two towers: a 36-level, 45,000-square-metre commercial office building at 111 Mary Street and a 92-level, 297-metre, 112,900-square-metre tower at 222 Margaret Street.

But aviation issues prompted Brisbane City Council to seek a cut in the height by 23 metres to 274 metres given concerns it would block radar signals from Brisbane Airport.

Billbergia spokesman Rick Graf said the company would appeal the decision to cut 23 metres.

The council approved the plans for the floor space.

The larger tower will be a commercial and residential development and will include a 380-room five-star hotel and 800 apartments. It will have room for 1,000 car parks across eight basement levels.

Spokesman Rick Graf confirms four major hotels are vying for rights to run the hotel in the mega tower.

Bates Smart has promoted the development as environmentally friendly with the north-facing rooftop of 111 Mary Street angled to incorporate a photovoltaic array, while the roof of 222 Margaret Street will incorporate wind turbines. It will come with a gas-fired trigeneration plant, which will provide on-site power generation.

As approved the project will come in as the fourth tallest building in Australia, although there are mooted plans to build a 280-metre tower on the former CUB brewery site in Melbourne, as well as a planned Southbank Tower that might peak out at 276 metres.

Currently Melbourne has four of the 10 tallest buildings in Australia, though Gold Coast takes position one.

The tallest building in Australia is Gold Coast’s Q1 tower, with its antenna reaching 323 metres. Completed in 2005, it’s the world’s third-tallest residential tower. The 80 level colossus was designed by Atelier SDG and Innovarchi and inspired by the Sydney Olympic Torch.

Second is Sydney’s iconic 309-metre Sydney Tower structure. Construction finished in 1981, and it cost $36 million. The tower features the Skywalk at 268 metres, which lets visitors walk around on a glass floor. It was designed by Donald Crone and Associates.

Third is Melbourne’s 297-metre Eureka tower in Southbank. Finished in 2006, the 91-storey building was designed by Fender Katsalidis. The tower features the Eureka Sky Deck, which extends out of the building so visitors can look into the void.

Melbourne takes fourth place too with the 265-metre 120 Collins Street. The 52-level Hassell- designed building was completed in 1991. The postmodern building features a granite façade.

Collins Street again takes fifth place with the 260-metre 101 Collins. The 57-level office building was completed in 1991. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the lobby of the building features rows of imposing columns.

Melbourne’s 251-metre Rialto towers take sixth place in Australia. Designed by Gerard de Preu and Partners and Perrott Lyon Mathieson, the towers were finished in 1986. The construction was built on the former sight of the Victorian era Robb’s Buildings. Rialto became part of sporting history with its annual 242-metre stair race.

Perth gets a spot at number seven with the 249-metre Central Park Tower. Designed by Forbes and Fitzhardinge, the 51-level building was completed in 1992. The office block towers over Perth and includes a landscaped park.

Just behind is Perth’s latest 244-metre skyscraper, which has just topped out and is expected to open soon at number eight. Construction began in 2008 and it’s due to become to the global head office for BHP Billiton. It 46-level façade is a wall of glass.

The Gold Coast comes in on the list again at equal ninth with the 243-metre Soul tower. The 77-level tower has topped out and it is expected to open in 2012. The residential building in Surfers Paradise cost $850 million.

And at equal ninth Brisbane has the 243-metre Soleil Meriton building. The 76-level tower is set to open very soon as a series of serviced apartments with 10 levels of underground car parks.