Skyscrapers

Sydney developers JWDT Land are set to make a name for themselves in Adelaide in a ground-breaking fashion.

Future Urban, on behalf of the east-coast locals, has lodged plans for a mammoth 55-storey mixed-use development in the heart of the city, with the plans for 207-209 Pulteney Street on track to be Adelaide’s tallest tower.

The joint venture between developers, Jinwei and Datong, will eclipse&nbsp;the city’s current tallest building – The Crowne Plaza on Frome Street – by 18 levels, with the proposed 180 metre tall tower to deliver a collection of residential apartments, along with ground floor lobby and public dining space, small office/home office (SOHO) apartments, conference facilities, hotel accommodation, and a range of shared-use amenity space.&nbsp;

The tower would eclipse the city’s current tallest building – The Crowne Plaza on Frome Street – by 18 levels, with the proposed 180 metre tall tower to deliver a collection of residential apartments, along with ground floor lobby and public dining space, small office/home office (SOHO) apartments, conference facilities, hotel accommodation, and a range of shared-use amenity space.&nbsp;

Located on the southwest corner of Pulteney and Flinders Streets, the project will include a podium and sheer glazed tower, with two large recesses articulating the tower’s form, activated by shared amenity spaces.&nbsp;

The ground floor west facade is set back to provide a covered porte cochere for hotel drop-off and access to the above-ground car parking, with the porte cochere featuring landscaping, seating, and lighting that visually connect the space to the hotel entry foyer and lounge.

The podium will be approximately 37 metres tall, with the view to referencing existing buildings of this scale within the precinct.

Level one of the podium comprises car parking, hotel/residential loading areas as well as apartment storage and bike parking with change room facilities.&nbsp;

Levels two to seven will accommodate car parking and double height SOHO apartments that extend along the full Pulteney Street frontage and part of the Flinders Street frontage.&nbsp;

A double height shared terrace is located centrally on the eastern frontage on level six, while levels eight and 9 are full car parking levels, with conference facilities located on level 10.&nbsp;

The hotel rooms will feature across levels 13 to 20, with apartments from levels 22 to 50 and penthouses on levels 51 to 53.&nbsp;

Along with a string of hotel amenities, residents will also benefit from a triple height shared residential terrace on level 21, along with a Sky Lounge on level 50.&nbsp;

The hotel amenity terrace atop the podium will feature an array of restaurants, fronting both Flinders and Pulteney Streets, along with a pool and a spa.&nbsp;

The residential terrace will feature a communal lounge, cinema room, shared kitchen and dining area, kids play area and a landscape terrace with a variety of seating areas. An additional west facing terrace also features on the level, with landscaped planters, a variety of seating areas and a bookable multifunction room.&nbsp;

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Sydney developers lodge plans for Adelaide’s tallest tower

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
The competition to be the city with Australia’s “tallest skyline” is in full swing. But too many towers are rejecting local climate and context in an attempt to dominate skylines.
As a high-rise apartment boom sweeps Australia, concern is growing that the proliferation of skyscrapers will be to the detriment of cities.
To overcome this, we need to move away from thinking about the skyscraper as an “icon”. Instead, we should be asking how the tall building – which will always “stand out” – can also “fit in” to cities.
Towering trends
Australia is home to around 325 towers of 100 metres or taller in height (approximately 30 storeys and above). Most are located in Sydney or Melbourne.
Around 272 additional towers are either under construction or proposed in Australia. Melbourne, in particular, seems to be embracing the skyscraper. It has 111 new towers in the pipeline, more than double that of Sydney.
<a href="/images/2016/04/21/image-20160413-15868-1toptiq.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/21/image-20160413-15868-1toptiq.jpg" alt="">
Tall building construction in Australia - Left: number of buildings 100m+ completed each year; right: total number of buildings 100m+ completed, under construction or proposed per city. www.skyscrapercenter.com
Such numbers may seem dramatic. But they reflect a greater international trend in high-rise construction.
In the 20th century, 1,062 towers of 150 metres or taller were completed globally. Yet it took just eight years of the 21st century for this figure to double. Between 2000 and 2015 2,445 skyscrapers taller than 150 metres were built. A further 1,793 are under construction or proposed.
China is without doubt the centre of this construction boom. Research suggests it will build between 20,000 and 50,000 skyscrapers over the next 20 years to accommodate 350 million new urban dwellers. Shanghai already has 1,510 towers taller than 30 storeys – almost five times as many as Australia.
Few places are escaping this trend. London has 175 skyscrapers of 30 storeys or taller in the pipeline. This has led some to worry the city will turn into “a bad version of Dubai or Shanghai”.
Switzerland – known better for its timber chalets than crystalline towers – intends to build between 140 and 160 new high-rises.
Economics certainly plays a role in driving this trend. The skyscraper has long been known as the “machine that makes the land pay”. With the increasing cost of inner-city land, building up is a sure-fire way to increase developers’ potential profits.
Then there is the huge level of urbanisation in the developing world. Rural-to-urban migration is driving a huge demand for new housing. Add to this the growing popularity of city-centre living. The suburbs are failing to compete with the vibrancy and culture the city has to offer.
Finally, towers are being used as part of global or regional competitions to demonstrate a city’s or company’s identity and success. As far back as the 12th century, rich families in Bologna built increasingly tall towers as status symbols for their wealth and power, displaying their dominance over their rivals.
Little has changed. Rival casinos plan competing towers either side of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, acting as urban “trophies” at a city scale. But surely our towers should be more than just trophies?
The generous skyscraper?
One of the main challenges that separates low-rise from high-rise buildings is the scale of their impact on the city.
Shorter buildings will often only have an impact on their immediate surroundings, perhaps a few hundred metres beyond their boundaries at a maximum. A skyscraper, however, will likely be experienced both visually and environmentally across a city for several kilometres. A tower’s shadow can stretch for hectares.
Historic city views and panoramas can be altered forever. Reports of hundreds of new skyscrapers bring to mind canyonesque streets, hemmed in by concrete blocks that plunge parks and public realm into darkness. However, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Rather than using dramatic shape and form in skyscraper design to create icons, Chicago architect Jeanne Gang’s Solar Carve Tower in New York, for example, is carved and chamfered to allow light to penetrate onto the public High Line below. A similar generosity of design would not go amiss in most new towers.
Beyond transparency
Too many of Australia’s tallest towers say very little about the context within which they sit or the climate in which they perform. This is not unique to Australia.
The rise of generic glass towers on skylines globally has led to concern that cities are becoming homogenised by cookie-cutter tower blocks. In doing so, they are losing some of the qualities that make these cityscapes unique.
Worse still, the use of seemingly never-ending glazing on tower blocks is environmentally criminal in most Australian climates.
There’s little point in building up if we don’t celebrate the million-dollar view height provides. But does this really mean wrapping every inch of towers in floor-to-ceiling glass?
A more contextual response would be to learn to balance view with appropriate shade and solidity in tall building facades, developing designs that respond to local climate and sunpath. Such an approach could breed a new generation of sustainable Australian towers, uniquely linked to one of a city’s strongest determinants – its climate.
Ground floor interface
While skylines get all the headlines, it is at the ground level where skyscraper design perhaps needs greatest improvement.
Residential towers can offer little more than gleaming glass real estate in the sky, most of which is inaccessible (literally and often financially) to many city residents. Given that upper floors are out of bounds, the ground floor becomes the key place where the public can interact with the building.
The problem is the ground-floor realm often only accommodates access for parking and private lobby space. Since most residential towers are single-function, they lack the vibrancy and activities that mixed-use buildings with cafes, restaurants and work spaces offer. This means any public spaces that are created can be empty during the day when residents are at work.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Building up and creating higher densities can (in theory at least) free up greater space for the public at ground. What’s more, it can free up higher spaces, more dramatic and exciting spaces that would be unviable in low-rise schemes.
It can be difficult to argue that the skyscraper is not a selfish typology – absorbing resources, light and airspace from the city. But it can be a generous one too – perhaps most generous of all by providing higher densities and thus more compact cities, reducing suburban spread.
But our next generation of residential towers need to do more than simply generate higher densities. Key to this is moving away from treating towers as mere icons and instead creating high-rise architecture that responds to each city’s unique climate, culture and context.
Philip Oldfield senior lecturer, School of Architecture &amp; Design, UNSW Australia and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philip-oldfield-140685" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Beyond the icon: despite a construction boom, Australian skyscraper design needs to evolve

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Australia’s newest super-skyscraper – Australia 108 – is officially the tallest residential tower in the Southern Hemisphere from floor to roof, spanning a colossal 319-metres tall or 100-storeys.

Located in the inner-metropolitan Melbourne suburb of Southbank, Australia 108 has been officially ‘topped out’ with its roof complete and its glass façade now reaching its highest levels.

This milestone has taken five years after piling work started in November 2015. 

The entire 100th floor of Australia 108 sold at record equaling <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/41746-australia-108-penthouse-sells-at-record-equalling-25-million-asking-price" target="_blank">$25 million asking price</a> to a Chinese businessman in April 2015.

After one month, Australia 108 was marketed as <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/42510-melbourne-s-australia-108-now-at-90-sellout" target="_blank">90% plus sold</a>.

In September 2015, less than 30 Cloud residences were still remaining unsold as<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/46234-just-30-unsold-as-brookfield-multiplex-wins-australia-108-construction-contract" target="_blank"> Brookfield Multiplex</a> was appointed to to construct the residential tower. Three months later, the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/49117-australia-108-ground-breaking-ceremony" target="_blank">construction</a> of Australia 108 was commerced. 

In June 2018, the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/84900-first-residents-set-to-move-into-australia-108-highest-residences-in-the-southern-hemisphere2" target="_blank">first residents</a> moved into the super-skyscraper. 

In November 2019, Australia 108 completed construction of its landmark <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/buying/106935-australia-s-tallest-residential-tower-australia-108-has-completed-its-landmark-starburst-facade" target="_blank">Starburst's external facade</a>. In the same month, the international property developer of skyscraper Australia 108 has been questioned by the Singaporean stock exchange about the tower’s <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/107047-sgx-question-australia-108-s-developer-about-structural-integrity" target="_blank">structural soundness</a>.

Builder Multiplex will now complete the remaining apartment interiors as well as the building’s Starburst amenity spaces, which includes two infinity pools cantilevering 210 metres above the street.

The building will be fully completed by the end of quarter three of this year.

Chief Executive at developer, World Class Global, David Ng said the topping out of Australia 108 was a special moment for Melbourne’s skyline.

“Australia 108 is already a familiar landmark and has cemented itself on Melbourne’s iconic skyline as it has risen over the past five years." 

Karl Fender, founding partner of the project’s architect Fender Katsalidis, said this milestone marked another satisfying achievement for the firm.

“The arrival of Australia 108 on Melbourne’s skyline is another defining moment for our city and of course one which we are extremely proud to have contributed to.”

Construction at the new Melbourne landmark has been led by Multiplex, which utilised new techniques developed specifically for the project. 

Multiplex created purpose-built platforms from which builders worked safely on to install the golden panels of the Starburst that were delivered by crane during the middle of the night.

Multiplex Regional Managing Director, Graham Cottam, said the build from many metres below ground to the top had required innovation and had proceeded without any major issues.

<img alt="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/6/10/Australia%20108%20005%20topping%20out.jpg">

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One consideration the build team successfully addressed prior to topping out at Australia 108 is how the structure copes with gale force winds up to 140km/h which blow in from Port Phillip Bay. To combat this, underneath level-100 of the tower has been fitted with a 300,000-litre damper tank to act as a counterbalance.

Multiplex said the tower crane at Australia 108 would come down over the coming months. A special purpose recovery crane will be installed to the top of the building roof to recover the final tower crane. This recovery crane then breaks apart and is able to lift itself down from the roof to the ground.

Residents started moving into Australia 108 from 2018 as part of a staged handover of lower level apartments.

The building’s premium Cloud Residences – luxury apartments from levels 72 – are the latest residents moving into their new apartments, the majority of which are perched higher than most of Southbank’s surrounding buildings, offering panoramic 360-degree views of Melbourne.

More than three-quarters of apartments have been completed, with construction workers now focused on finishing the remaining premium Cloud Residences at the top of the building.

They will also focus on completing the amenity within the Starburst – the protruding golden structure from levels 70 and 71 which pays homage to the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag.

Here, within the 2,800 square metre Star Club, residents can enjoy infinity pools, dining rooms, gyms and lounge areas, with residents living above the Starburst enjoying their own private VIP zones and exclusive pool.

A limited selection of 3-bedroom Cloud Residences are still available for sale at Australia 108. Exclusive one and two-bedroom Sky Rise Residences up to level 67 are ready to move into. 

 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Australia 108 officially becomes the tallest residential tower in Southern Hemisphere

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Rents for skyscraper offices in Australian cities are rising faster than those in any other global city, according to the latest Skyscraper Index from Knight Frank.
The report examines the rental performance of commercial buildings over 30 storeys across the world.
Melbourne and Sydney grew the fastest among the cities surveyed at 11.0 percent and 10.1 percent respectively in the six months to Q4 2016, amid tightening vacancies and limited new supply.
In Sydney, stock withdrawals to accommodate the new Metro line and residential conversions are reducing the overall supply, while Melbourne had the strongest level of net absorption in 2016.
David Howson, head of office leasing at Knight Frank said Sydney’s office vacancy is at 6.2 percent, and is forecast to go as low as 3.5 percent in the next two years, with the current low vacancy and prospect of even lower vacancy driving rental increases now.
“The withdrawal of stock for Sydney is a major factor, with 239,057 sqm of stock removed from the market during 2016 for either refurbishment or permanent withdrawals – largely for conversion to residential or hotel use, and recycling of sites to future office developments," he said.
"An example of this is 301 George Street, in which 11,500 sqm is being demolished to make way for the Wynyard Place development.
"The Metro project will also trigger significant withdrawals of space, mostly in 2017, accounting for some 62,000 sqm along, and this will be a major contributor to the further 102,289 sqm of Sydney CBD office stock to be withdrawn this calendar year.
"While recent new supply has been high, largely driven by the Barangaroo developments, this has been largely balanced by the withdrawals.
"The next two years of supply is only modest, and the total stock of the CBD is expected to decline over this period.
"However, there is a very strong supply cycle building for 2020 and beyond.Net absorption of office space in the CBD is also high driven by buoyant financial and construction sectors.
“In Melbourne, the vacancy rate is at 10-year lows at 6.4," Mr Howson added.
"Unusually for Melbourne in recent years, the level of new stock additions will be lower in the next 24 months at 113,242 sqm or 1.3 percent stock growth per annum.
"This is well below the long term average of 3.6 percent per year.
"The Victorian economy is currently the strongest in Australia, and is supported by high population growth into Melbourne of 2 percent, which is boosting the underlying demand for office space.
"With the vacancy rate expected to head towards 4 percent in the next year, the upwards pressure on rents will remain.
"However it should be remembered that across the market as a whole, there is still a large price gap between the Sydney and Melbourne markets with gross effective prime rents in Sydney currently at a 60% premium to those in Melbourne."
Knight Frank’s latest research shows rents in Hong Kong’s skyscrapers continue to be the highest in the world by some margin, reaching $302.67 per sq ft in H2 2016.
New York retains its second position, where skyscraper rents are currently $159.00 per sq ft.
In Europe, skyscraper rents in London have remained stable at $104.56 per sq ft in the second half of 2016.
Of the North American cities, Toronto saw the highest rental growth at 4.7 percent.
In many Southeast Asian markets such as Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul, rents have trended down by 2.0 percent, 4.2 percent and 4.8 percent respectively, highlighting heightened economic uncertainty and a cautious business outlook.
Dan Gaunt, head of Knight Frank's city agency said despite uncertainty following the Brexit-vote, rents in London’s skyscrapers remain significantly higher than those in other major European cities.
"Demand for space in the Capital’s landmark tall buildings shows little sign of diminishing and we see rents remaining at their current level through 2017,” he said.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/11/TheShard_REM2.jpg" alt="">
James Roberts, Knight Frank's chief economist said the strong performance for Melbourne and Sydney reflect local market factors.
"If we set those cities to one side, the general picture from the latest Skyscraper Index is flat growth, which reflects the nervousness in most office markets in the second half of last year over political risks, like Brexit and the US election," he said.
"However, in 2017 the tone of global economic news is improving, and both Brexit and the Trump government have not had the negative impact on growth that was initially feared.
"When we compile the next skyscraper index in the summer, I expect to see more cities reporting rental growth in tower buildings.”
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
Ranking
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Prime office rents for upper floors in skyscrapers
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
Rent (US$ / sq ft / per annum)
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
% growth in six months to Q4 2016*
</td>
<td valign="top" width="147">
Rent (US$ / sq m/ per annum)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
1
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Hong Kong
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$302.67
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$3,257.93
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
New York (Manhattan)
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$159.00
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$1,711.46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Tokyo
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$134.39
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
1.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$1,446.57
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
San Francisco
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$113.00
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$1,216.32
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
5
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
London (City)
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$104.56
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$1,125.51
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
6
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$97.34
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
10.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$1,047.78
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
7
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Boston
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$77.00
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$828.82
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
8
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Shanghai
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$67.81
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
-2.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$729.92
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
9
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Singapore
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$63.64
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
-4.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$684.97
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Chicago
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$61.00
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
3.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$656.60
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
11
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Beijing
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$59.84
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
-1.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$644.10
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
12
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Paris (La Défense)
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$53.83
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$579.46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
13
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Frankfurt
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$52.85
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
5.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$568.92
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
14
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Mumbai
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$52.67
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$566.98
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
15
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$50.89
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
11.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$547.74
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
16
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Toronto
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$49.74
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
4.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$535.41
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
17
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Los Angeles
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$46.00
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$495.14
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
18
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Dubai
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$43.55
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$468.79
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
19
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Taipei
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$38.59
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$415.39
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
20
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Madrid
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$36.41
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$391.92
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="50">
21
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="127">
Seoul
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="107">
$29.93
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="99">
-4.8%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="147">
$322.19
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Source: Knight Frank, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Research Institute          
* Excludes exchange rate effects; conversion to US$ based on 31 December 2016 rates                   
Note: Upper floors is defined as above the regular skyline, thus offering panoramic views, but excluding the very top floors.                           
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Australian markets have witnessed the fastest rental growth for offices in skyscrapers

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Population growth has seen skylines creep ever higher and entire cities rise from ocean depths. The latest “ocean city” is the Chinese-developed <a href="https://cgpvforestcity.wordpress.com/category/press-release/" target="_blank">Forest City project</a>. By 2045, four artificial islands in Malaysia will cover 14km² of ocean (an area larger than 10,000 Olympic swimming pools), and support 700,000 residents.
Often overlooked, however, is the damage that artificial islands can cause to vital seafloor ecosystems. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If proper planning and science are integrated, we can develop the design strategies that will help build the “blue-green” ocean cities of tomorrow.
Colonising the ocean frontier
Ever growing numbers of human-made structures are <a href="https://theconversation.com/concrete-coastlines-its-time-to-tackle-our-marine-urban-sprawl-38175" target="_blank">occupying our oceans</a>. Cities built on artificial islands in the ocean are providing a solution for urban planners trying to manage the population squeeze.
And yet, so-called “<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/110246?af=R" target="_blank">ocean sprawl</a>” dates as far back as <a href="http://www1.frm.utn.edu.ar/laboratorio_hidraulica/Biblioteca_Virtual/Coastal%20Engineering%20Manual%20-%20Part%20I/Part_I-Chap_3entire.pdf" target="_blank">Ancient Egypt</a>. Over the past few centuries, artificial islands have been built through land reclamation. Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from existing water bodies.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/211671/original/file-20180323-54878-1a6j7pa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Atlantis, The Palm Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is built on an entirely artificial island. Shutterstock
The Netherlands, for instance, has been draining lakes and expanding its coastline to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ird.340" target="_blank">fight the advance of the sea</a> since the 1500s. The Dutch actually built one of the first and largest artificial islands, which is <a href="https://www.tourism-review.com/travel-tourism-magazine-flevoland-worlds-largest-artificial-island--article2372" target="_blank">now home to some 400,000 people</a>. Japan’s third-busiest airport, the <a href="https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/" target="_blank">Kansai International Airport</a>, was built on an artificial island in 1994. China has also been building into the oceans, reclaiming <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569114000696" target="_blank">more than 13,000km² of seafloor</a> and an estimated <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1890/130260" target="_blank">65% of tidal habitat</a> since the 1950s.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/211672/original/file-20180323-54881-j4i3c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The artificial Eden Island in Mahe, Seychelles. Shutterstock
Using Google maps, we were able to identify more than 450 artificial islands around the world, including the famous Palm Islands of Dubai. These are often celebrated as <a href="https://www.iveyengineering.com/modern-engineering-marvels/" target="_blank">engineering marvels</a>, but at what cost to the marine environment?
<h2>We can’t ignore what lies beneath</h2>
Marine habitats have always been essential for human life in coastal regions. They provide food, building and crafting materials, and less-known services such as <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/10-1510.1" target="_blank">coastal protection, nutrient cycling and pollution filtration</a>.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/211673/original/file-20180323-54884-1t8t6ao.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
One of the World Map islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Shutterstock
The creation of artificial islands causes <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098117300606" target="_blank">large changes to the seabed</a> by permanently smothering local habitats. In many parts of the world, existing habitats provide the foundation for artificial island construction. For instance, artificial islands in the tropics are often built directly on top of coral reefs. This leads to considerable destruction of already threatened ecosystems.
Land reclamation also impacts nearby habitats that are particularly sensitive to murky waters, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. In Singapore, land reclamation is associated with <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/L_Chou/publication/285088156_Response_of_Singapore_reefs_to_land_reclamation/links/569c63b008aea1476954792e.pdf" target="_blank">coral reef decline due to sedimentation and resulting light reductions</a>. Singapore has lost <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096456911400355X" target="_blank">nearly 45% of the country’s intertidal reef flats and almost 40% of intertidal mudflats</a>.
When the ecological, economic, and social value of marine habitats are considered, artificial islands and ocean sprawl seem to be indulgences that we cannot afford. The effects would be akin to the suburban sprawl of the 20th century. To avoid this cost, we need to address the complexities of the underwater world in urban planning and development.
<h2>“Blue urbanism”</h2>
In his book <a href="http://blueurbanism.org/blue-urbanism-cities-and-oceans-together/" target="_blank">Blue Urbanism</a>, Timothy Beatley calls for urban planners to consider and value ocean ecosystems. He argues that we need to recognise the <a href="http://bigthink.com/articles/need-a-nature-break-why-blue-is-the-new-green-for-stress-relief">psychological value of human connections to blue space</a>, and extend green practices on land into marine environments. While some artificial island developments such as the Forest City project are touted as “eco-cities”, more could be done both to minimise impacts below the waterline and integrate underwater environments into city life.
Why not combine a “Forest City” with the principles of a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/chinas-sponge-cities-aim-to-re-use-70-of-rainwater-heres-how-83327">Sponge City</a>”? While native plantings in a forest city could help to reduce air pollution, sponge cities seek to “absorb” and reuse rainwater, thus reducing pollution entering the oceans through <a href="https://theconversation.com/massive-storms-are-pumping-pollution-into-our-oceans-time-to-clean-up-our-cities-60551">stormwater runoff</a>. Around artificial islands, developers could also embrace the <a href="https://www.scapestudio.com/projects/oyster-tecture/" target="_blank">water filtration powerhouse</a> of the oceans: active oyster reefs.
The location of future constructions should also be carefully evaluated to ensure the preservation of important marine habitats. Artificial islands have the potential to create <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-oceans-are-out-of-balance-can-we-learn-some-tips-from-feng-shui-64975" target="_blank">fragmented seascapes</a>, but with careful spatial planning and smart designs, they could create corridors for some <a href="https://mashable.com/2015/06/01/global-warming-huge-oceans-shift/#66PBDFJxyuq4" target="_blank">climate migrants</a> or those threatened species most at risk from habitat loss.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/93843/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Designs based on ecological principles can reduce the impacts of artificial islands on natural habitats. However, applications of “blue-green” infrastructure remain largely untested at large scales. New designs, building strategies and spatial planning that integrate seascapes and landscapes are an opportunity for both “smarter” cities and experimentation for the development of successful blue-green technologies.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-dafforn-155892" target="_blank">Katherine Dafforn</a>, Senior Research Associate in Marine Ecology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414" target="_blank">UNSW</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ana-bugnot-159810" target="_blank">Ana Bugnot</a>, Research Associate, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414" target="_blank">UNSW</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/eliza-heery-455058" target="_blank">Eliza Heery</a>, Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/national-university-of-singapore-998" target="_blank">National University of Singapore</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mariana-mayer-pinto-155512" target="_blank">Mariana Mayer-Pinto</a>, Senior Research Associate in marine ecology, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/future-ocean-cities-need-green-engineering-above-and-below-the-waterline-93843" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Green engineering needed above and below water in future 'ocean cities'

Brisbane is showing signs of some remarkable plans for the future, with a long list of&nbsp;skyscraper projects on the cards. In late 2019, the city welcomed the highly anticipated <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-horizon-collection-222-margaret-street-brisbane">Brisbane Skytower</a>, which topped out at an impressive 274 metres. However, the tower&rsquo;s height is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon, due to a few contending projects falling through or facing planning roadblocks. The reason for the lack of competition when it comes to height is due to the Brisbane Airport radar shadowing restriction, which limits towers to 274 metres &ndash; posing a challenge for developers&nbsp;wishing to exceed this height.

Despite the restriction, Brisbane is showing an upward trajectory of skyscraper development, with eight exciting&nbsp;new projects in the pipeline for the next few years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/6548114-3x2-940x627.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: ABC"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/6548114-3x2-940x627.jpg?itok=rPf32h2-" title="Credit: ABC" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Brisbane in 1931. Credit: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-29/history-of-brisbanes-story-bridge-ahead-of-75th-birthday/6537080">ABC</a></figcaption>
</figure>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/aerial-view-of-brisbane.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Probono Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="283" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial-view-of-brisbane.jpg?itok=3icKuIYN" title="Credit: Probono Australia" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Recent image of Brisbane, sourced 2018. Credit: <a href="https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2018/05/bleak-future-without-urgent-action-brisbane-renters-margins/">Probono Australia</a></figcaption>
</figure>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/future-brisbane-river.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Urbis"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/future-brisbane-river.jpg?itok=EfxTmWzM" title="Credit: Urbis" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Future vision for Brisbane by Urbis. Credit: <a href="https://urbis.com.au/insights-news/future-brisbane-aim-high-and-dream-big/">Urbis</a></figcaption>
</figure>

For those who want to learn more about what&rsquo;s in store for Brisbane, here is a list of proposed towers.

<h2>1. 30 Albert Street (274m)</h2>

Location: 30 Albert Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/30-albert-street_cox-architects4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="30 Albert Street. Image credit: Cox Architecture."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="871" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/30-albert-street_cox-architects4.jpg?itok=-S8j663d" title="30 Albert Street. Image credit: Cox Architecture." width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>30 Albert Street. Image credit: Cox Architects</figcaption>
</figure>

The tower set to be delivered at 30 Albert Street by international developer World Class Land has encountered an obstacle, after discovering that the development could interfere with the Cross River Rail underground tunnel beneath the project site. 30 Albert Street has already undergone a significant design change in 2016, replacing the original green glass facade with blue and gold glass. It is not yet known when construction is likely to commence; however, you can track any project updates here.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6231]

<h2>2. The One (264m)</h2>

Location: 272-318 George Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2020-01-23_at_3.04.22_pm.png" rel="gallery-all" title="The One. Image Credit: The Urban Developer"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="378" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2020-01-23_at_3.04.22_pm.png?itok=IQwCY8oe" title="The One. Image Credit: The Urban Developer" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>The One. Image credit: <a href="https://theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbanes-skyline-set-to-reach-new-heights-with-4-skyscrapers-planned">The Urban Developer</a></figcaption>
</figure>

The One is a new luxury residential development located within the master-planned Brisbane Quarter precinct. With plans originally proposed back in 2013, the project is well on its way towards a slated completion of 2020 and is currently over half-built. Located within the heart of the city, The One boasts stunning river and city views, and excellent access to world-class amenities and public transport.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13254]

<h2>3. Queen&rsquo;s Tower (250m)</h2>

Location: 545 Queen Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image-2_545-queen-st-evening-view-683x1024.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Queen's Tower. Image credit: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image-2_545-queen-st-evening-view-683x1024.jpg?itok=gbE_J6pE" title="Queen's Tower. Image credit: Woods Bagot" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Queen&#39;s Tower. Image credit: <a href="https://brisbanedevelopment.com/76-storey-queens-tower-proposed-for-545-queen-street/">Woods Bagot</a></figcaption>
</figure>

While the original residential tower concept is no longer going ahead, there is still a chance for the new owners to utilise old plans or pursue a project of similar size. The initial Queen&#39;s Tower was architecturally designed by Woods Bagot, with two curved glass panels juxtaposed with slender flat planes, creating a changeable fa&ccedil;ade when viewed from different angles across the city. The striking 76-storey building will deliver 891 luxury residences, 100 serviced apartments and 2,500 square metres of dedicated retail and commercial space. Queen&#39;s Tower occupies an island site surrounded by Queen, Adelaide and Macrossan Streets.

<h2>4. Queen&rsquo;s Wharf Tower 4 (231.1m)</h2>

Followed by Queen&rsquo;s Wharf Tower 1 (190m), Queen&rsquo;s Wharf Tower 5 (180m), Queen&rsquo;s Wharf Tower 6 (160m)

Location: Queens Wharf

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/queen%E2%80%99s-wharf-residences-8-margaret-street-brisbane" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="383" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2020-01-23_at_3.19.50_pm.png?itok=3w7OlNX6" title="Queen's Wharf. Image credit: Cottee Parker Architects." width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Queen&#39;s Wharf. Image credit: Cottee Parker Architects.</figcaption>
</figure>

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/so9P32V_oyA" width="660"></iframe>

The exciting new Queen&rsquo;s Wharf mixed-use precinct features four buildings &ndash; and will make an impactful debut on the city of Brisbane once complete in 2022. With design and master planning led by Cottee Parker Architects and Jerde Partnership, the development features a carefully considered range of architecturally designed public spaces, including a highly anticipated Sky Deck, rooftop moonlight cinema and River Arena. Queen&rsquo;s Wharf will also welcome five new premium hotels, 50 restaurants and bars, ballrooms, function spaces, the new Queensland Hotel and Hospitality School and 12 football fields worth of public event space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13276]

<h2>5. 360 Queen Street (200m)</h2>

Location: 360 and 370 Queen Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/360-queen-st-tower.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="360 Queen Street. Image credit: Blight Rayner"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/360-queen-st-tower.jpg?itok=Cb1AL1RR" title="360 Queen Street. Image credit: Blight Rayner" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>360 Queen Street. Image credit: <a href="https://blightrayner.com.au/portfolio_page/360-queen-street/">Blight Rayner</a></figcaption>
</figure>

Planned for a prominent Queen Street site, is a nature-focused 40 storey mixed-use precinct, designed by Blight Rayner. The tower will feature thriving laneway retail, a public piazza and several skyparks for the public to enjoy. In addition to the multitude of mature trees and vertical greening throughout the development, 360 Queen Street is also striving for many environmental ratings:

<ul>
	<li>5 Star NABERS Energy Base Building Rating</li>
	<li>WELL Core and Shell Gold Certification</li>
	<li>5 Star Green Star Design</li>
	<li>As-Built Rating</li>
</ul>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8229]

<h2>6. 195-199 Elizabeth Street (196m)</h2>

Location: 195-199 Elizabeth Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/twe-elizabethstreettower-01-1100x550-c-center.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Elizabeth Street tower. Image credit: Rothelowman/The Weekend Edition"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/twe-elizabethstreettower-01-1100x550-c-center.png?itok=CMR1HXy9" title="Elizabeth Street tower. Image credit: Rothelowman/The Weekend Edition" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Elizabeth Street tower. Image credit: Rothelowman/<a href="https://theweekendedition.com.au/design/elizabeth-street-tower/">The Weekend Edition</a></figcaption>
</figure>

A new 60-level tower has been planned for Elizabeth Street and will feature 248 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The initial design by renowned architect Rothelowman was proposed in 2015 and featured a spectacular curved form to offer expansive viewpoints of the city below. The first five floors of the tower feature a large void which maximises the Buildings that Breathe concept, while ground-floor planting will aim to revitalise the streetscape. We have not heard any updates about whether this project will be commencing yet.

<h2>7.&nbsp;443 Queen Street (183.7m) </h2>

Location: 443 Queen Street

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/443-queen-street-brisbane"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="998" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cbus9504_443-queen-st-from-supplied-model_e02_hero_from_queen_street_e02_bris-22-800x1377.jpg?itok=FPDnqE5O" title="443 Queen Street. Image credit: Architectus/WOHA" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>443 Queen Street. Image credit: Architectus/WOHA</figcaption>
</figure>

A collaborative project between Architectus and WOHA has led to an exciting new design for the 443 Queen Street site. The development is one of Australia&rsquo;s first buildings set to achieve a Generosity Index of 80 and Green Plot ratio of 197%. It embraces sub-tropical living with a carefully curated selection of native plants, cascading vertical gardens and mature trees, give this skyscraper a distinct point of difference. In <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/443-queen-street-brisbane">August&nbsp;last year</a>, we reported that the podium and first five floors were already&nbsp;under construction, so it&#39;ll be interesting to watch this development take shape throughout 2020.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6226]

<h2>8. 500 George Street (179m)</h2>

Location: 500 George Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/external1-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="500 George Street. Image credit: Cottee Parker Architects/Brisbane Development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="991" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/external1-1.jpg?itok=sa59YMZw" title="500 George Street. Image credit: Cottee Parker Architects/Brisbane Development" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>500 George Street. Image credit: Cottee Parker Architects/<a href="https://brisbanedevelopment.com/500-george-street-gets-new-design/">Brisbane Development</a></figcaption>
</figure>

A 60-storey residential tower with a striking black and gold fa&ccedil;ade has been planned for 500 George Street. Architect Cottee Parker has delicately integrated the existing heritage King George Chambers buildings with the modern new skyscraper. The building will feature 144 serviced apartments, student accommodation and 248 apartments. As far as we&#39;re aware, there has been no progress made on this development due to an issue surrounding easement access for construction. However, keep an eye on Urban for future updates.

<h2>Discarded projects</h2>

No.1 Brisbane 274.3m

Location: 217-235A George Street and 52-58 Queen Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/no-1-brisbane-from-brisbane-square.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No. 1 Brisbane. Image credit: Blight Rayner"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="773" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/no-1-brisbane-from-brisbane-square.jpg?itok=dRyANAyl" title="No. 1 Brisbane. Image credit: Blight Rayner" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>No. 1 Brisbane. Image credit: <a href="https://blightrayner.com.au/portfolio_page/no-1-brisbane/">Blight Rayner</a></figcaption>
</figure>

Brisbane City Council approved the proposed 81-storey residential tower in 2017, however, was purchased by Charter Hall with no plans to commence construction on the approved plans as of yet. The tower would have&nbsp;become Brisbane&rsquo;s tallest residential tower to date and showcase the work of Blight Rayner Architecture with its dazzling cylindrical form and protruding balconies. No.1 Brisbane has been specifically designed to activate the adjoining laneway &ndash; Burnett Lane &ndash; which is a central feature of Brisbane City Council&rsquo;s Vibrant Laneways revitalisation scheme.

The development features 200 less car parking spaces than standard requirement as a means to promote public transport use within the CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8881]

240 Margaret Street (274m)

The previously planned A 91-storey residential tower was a collaborative project between Aspial Corporation and World Class Land, with design by Cox Rayner Architects. Situated next to Brisbane Skytower, 240 Margaret Street would have featured 783 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6227]

155-171 Edward Street (274m)

ASX-listed developer Dexus has recently acquired a prime site in Brisbane&rsquo;s CBD from Aria Property Group. The 171 Edward Street site comes with approved plans for an 81-storey residential tower with retail and 642 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95841]

Brisbane Square Tower 2 (170.7m)

Location: 266 George Street

In October 2018, the development application for Brisbane Square Tower 2 was withdrawn due to planning constraints, a year after submission. Set to become the second tower for Brisbane Square, the $450 million project would have featured&nbsp;43,824 square metres of commercial space and be the fourth largest commercial tower in Brisbane, standing at 36-stories high. Designed by Blight Rayner Architecture, The tower was designed by Blight Rayner Architecture and&nbsp;appeared to be suspended off the ground, with elongated structural pillars at street level, making way for an accessible civic square. Brisbane Square Tower 2 was&nbsp;also on track&nbsp;towards achieving a 6 Star Green Star Rating, with a range of environmental initiatives incorporated into the design.&nbsp;

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<div>[smartcode_project:default project_id=24767]</div>

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<div>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6257]</div>

Olivia Round

Brisbane's 8 future tallest skyscrapers

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The appointment of construction company Multiplex as head contractor for Beulah International's Paragon apartment tower has nudged the number of apartments in Multiplex's current Melbourne build schedule toward 7,000.

Located atop the shell of the former Celtic Club on Queen and La Trobe streets, Paragon is a $200 million apartment development containing 227 apartments over 48 levels. The appointment of Multiplex sees the builder join existing project team members including architects Fender Katsalidis and landscape designer Paul Bangay.

Multiplex will not only deliver the apartments but also a green space within the tower that Beulah International have dubbed 'the urban forest'.  The three storey elevated indoor urban forest is slated as an Australian first.

Paragon's distinctive facade takes on a golden hue and is overlapped by a geometric pattern across a curtain wall facade.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image94_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image94_4.jpg?itok=7m3OF9AT" title="Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Part of Paragon's urban forest. Image: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>On the appointment of Multiplex, Beulah International Managing Director Jiaheng Chan stated “This is the first time Beulah International has worked with Multiplex and we chose to collaborate on Paragon due their strong industry reputation globally accurately reflecting the premium nature of this project. 

Having recently taken out the Australian construction industry’s most prestigious honour, the Australian Construction Achievement Award, combined with the fact that they are one of the largest contractors globally with over half a century of experience in large-scale development projects, we have the confidence that the creative vision of Paragon will be delivered on time and to the highest quality."

Beulah International have heightened their Melbourne profile of late; the appointment of Multiplex to deliver Paragon is in addition to the firm's recent launches of super luxury projects <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/fawkner-house-146-150-toorak-road-west-south-yarra">Fawkner House</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/the-grounds-of-kew-367-cotham-road-kew">The Grounds of Kew</a>, plus the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/southbank-by-beulah-designs-revealed-at-future-cities-symposium">symposium</a> held recently which outlined the design's vying to become Melbourne's tallest tower at Beulah International's 118 City Road site. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image92_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image92_6.jpg?itok=dSntFH54" title="Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Paragon in the centre of Melbourne's evolving skyline. Image: Beulah International</figcaption></figure>Whilst Paragon has a nominal completion date of 2020, it is by no means the definitive project for Multiplex.

The tier 1 builder has no less than 10 major Melbourne apartment towers under its wing. These 10 developments equate to approximately 6,730 apartments in delivery mode across inner Melbourne; the sheer size of these towers leads to an average of approximately 673 dwellings per project.

Headlining the builder's schedule are super projects <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/australia-108-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a>, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-square-93-119-kavanagh-street-southbank">Melbourne Square</a> and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/swanston-central-168-victoria-street-carlton">Swanston Central</a>, with each of these exceeding the 1,000 dwelling threshold. Multiplex also has the initial stage of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/queens-place-350-queen-street-melbourne">Queens Place</a> which includes 815 apartments, a duo of sizeable Central Equity towers, South Yarra's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/capitol-grand-257-toorak-road-south-yarra">Capitol Grand</a>, Cbus Property's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/collins-arch-447-collins-street-melbourne">Collins Arch</a> and Fragrance Group's <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/premier-tower-134-160-spencer-street-melbourne">Premier Tower</a> on Spencer Street.

In addition to the above residential builds, Multiplex also has 80 Collins Street and 405 Bourke Street under its command. The commercial projects are supplemented by current tertiary builds for Monash University at both their Clayton and Frankston campuses.
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silvermb

Paragon pushes Multiplex's Melbourne apartment construction count toward 7,000 

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The design team behind what looms as one of Sydney's tallest buildings has provided comment on their joint effort for 505-523 George Street.

Last week the development's proponents, Mirvac and Coombes Property Group, announced that Architectus and ingenhoven architects were successful in topping other participants in a design excellence competition. Now in progress is a 79 storey predominantly residential tower spanning 270 metres.

It has been billed as the highest residential building in Sydney, and also as a "profoundly visible landmark standing for an economical, environmental and socially sustainable, future-oriented development."

Efforts to deliver a signature project onsite reach back to August 2015 when Council and the Central Sydney Planning Committee considered a request to change the height control for the site which is currently home to an Event Cinemas complex.

Top flight architecture firms/partnerships Skidmore, Owings and Merrill + Crone, Wilkinson Eyre, Foster + Partners and fjmt + Bates Smart were beaten out by Architectus and ingenhoven architects during the initial design process. The $1 billion development will now progress to a Stage 2 development application with an eye to final approval.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image142_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Panoramic views of the George Street tower. Image: Doug and Wolf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="301" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image142_0.jpg?itok=1T8zwVlW" title="Panoramic views of the George Street tower. Image: Doug and Wolf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Panoramic views of the George Street tower. Image: Doug and Wolf</figcaption></figure><h2>What they say</h2>

<blockquote>
This is a very exciting project for Sydney. It will rejuvenate George Street’s entertainment precinct with new retail, community facilities, potential hotel and high-quality apartments.

The tower will present as a singular elegant form on the skyline of Sydney with the vertical structure emphasizing height and slenderness while the subtle curving façade addresses views in all directions.

We are looking forward to working with the team at Ingenhoven again on another significant Sydney project. Our collaboration on 1 Bligh Street was very successful and we aim to emulate the same quality and success with 505 George Street.
<cite>Ray Brown, Managing Director at Architectus</cite>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
Now we have combined our expertise once again by designing a tower which will be highly integrated in the existing surroundings and offer a great public domain.

This urban approach is based on the philosophy of a well-connected public and conceives of the tower as being a 'friendly neighbour'. The combination of different uses and the timeless design of the building are integral parts of an environmentally sustainable approach but also expression of a deep understanding of the project goals
<cite>Christoph Ingenhoven, owner and founder of ingenhoven architects</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image140_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level perspective. Image: Doug and Wolf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="418" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image140_1.jpg?itok=mtUJFfvD" title="Ground level perspective. Image: Doug and Wolf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level perspective. Image: Doug and Wolf</figcaption></figure>Other aspects of the 65,000 square metre development include multiple retail levels, childcare facilities, a community meeting space and the potential to rehouse Event Cinemas in the podium structure.

ingenhoven architects' supergreen sustainability platform will be rolled out across the design. This includes "awareness of energy and resources, both in the design, construction and operation and in the realization of the building and its use. It includes the primary and secondary energy levels of the materials used, the equipment and building process and the use of resources over the whole lifetime of a building."

505-523 George Street will be a traditional post-tensioned concrete structure with exposed perimeter columns allowing for maximum residential floor space.

The development team has indicated that post a 2019 submission for approval, a construction start is pencilled in for 2020. With a five year build in mind, Mirvac and Coombes Property Group are eyeing residents moving in during 2025.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image143_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Above all others. Image: Doug and Wolf"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image143_2.jpg?itok=LpCdo-br" title="Above all others. Image: Doug and Wolf" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Above all others. Image: Doug and Wolf</figcaption></figure>
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Architectus and Ingehoven on Sydney's latest super skyscraper

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The past fortnight has seen three major development applications within City of Parramatta's boundaries receive the go ahead.

Hundreds of new hotel suites and residential apartments stand to be added to both Parramatta's core and emerging apartment enclave Wentworth Point. The trio of developments also stand to add near on $400 million in construction activity to the municipality.

Earlier this week Parramatta's 89 George Street received final approval. Starwood Hotels have committed to the 27 storey tower, with Four Points By Sheraton Parramatta expected to take residence by April 2020.

JZL Properties and Sandstone Capital have backed the project which went to planning late last year, with the intention of providing 271 new hotel rooms within a purpose built tower. Architecture firm Group GSA handled the tower's design, incorporating ancillary uses such as 722 square metres of function space, bar, restaurant, gym and pool.

Parramatta's strong uptake of hotel accommodation continues to generate new hotel activity with recent mooted projects including a 33 storey redevelopment of the Roxy Hotel and additional Meriton Suites slated for Parramatta's riverfront.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image43_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Four Points By Sheraton Parramatta. Image: Starwood Hotels"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="342" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image43_15.jpg?itok=5HW_XSDS" title="Four Points By Sheraton Parramatta. Image: Starwood Hotels" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Four Points By Sheraton Parramatta. Image: Starwood Hotels</figcaption></figure>Second most recent to gain approval is Block B 6-8 Baywater Drive which is the latest substantial apartment development for the Wentworth Point Urban Activation Precinct.

Expected are 275 apartments within a Tier Architects-designed u-shaped apartment block with a central communal garden and courtyard. The approved project sits between the first stage of Nascorp Properties' Harbour Village apartment development and the mouth of the Parramatta River.

Harbour Village's initial release includes approximately 400 apartments, with the freshly approved Block B shaping as the next major release.

Spanning 9 storeys at its highest point, Block B 6-8 Baywater Drive includes 85 single, 151 double and 39 triple bedroom apartments within the build which is valued at just under $75 million. Block B 6-8 Baywater Drive adds to the thousands of new apartments planned or in delivery within Wentworth Point.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image40_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="6-8 Baywater Drive Wentworth Point. Planning image: Tier Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="389" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image40_12.jpg?itok=1d5IdMP6" title="6-8 Baywater Drive Wentworth Point. Planning image: Tier Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>6-8 Baywater Drive Wentworth Point. Planning image: Tier Architects</figcaption></figure>Rounding out the trio is Coronation Property 's statement tower at 8 Phillip Street in Parramatta's CBD. The Woods Bagot-designed tower is a mix of apartment and hotel uses, and is expected to stand 200 metres above the Parramatta streetscape.

Final approval was granted at the turn of July for the development which carries an estimated delivery cost of $238.7 million. The 55-storey tower includes 314 apartments, approximately 250 hotel rooms, function/conference facilities and 9 levels of basement parking.

QT Hotels &amp; Resorts have signed on for the tower's hotel aspect, taking approximately 15 levels. Additional project drawcards include a level 18 pool and green space, two restaurants including a Sake by Rockpool Dining Group and a rooftop bar.

Although final approval arrived within the past fortnight, 8 Phillip Street's apartments have been marketed for some time. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image44_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="8 Phillip Street's open air pool. Image: Coronation"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image44_6.jpg?itok=nmWENvhJ" title="8 Phillip Street's open air pool. Image: Coronation" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>8 Phillip Street's open air pool. Image: Coronation</figcaption></figure>
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Three major approvals spur City of Parramatta's construction boom

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Two months after planning manoeuvres came to light facilitating the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/crows-nest-earmarked-for-sydneys-next-major-skyscrapers">delivery of two major skyscrapers</a> in Crows Nest, adjacent St Leonards is potentially up for a similar scaled development.

Stockland has identified 601 Pacific Highway as ripe for renewal, enlisting Architectus to create a planning proposal for two hulking towers. Spanning 63 levels and 45 levels, the taller of the duo would stand in excess of 200 metres above ground, whilst the shorter tower reaches approximately 145 metres.

The real estate company's push to realise the site's rezoning and subsequent redevelopment in light of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment's strategic review of the St Leonards and Crows Nest Station Precinct which effectively encourages intensified development in the area.

Standing as a 13 storey A-grade office tower approximately 200 metres east of St Leonards railway station, the asset was acquired by Stockland during 2003 with an eye toward a future renewal opportunity.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image19_21.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Podium space envisaged for 601 Pacific Highway. Planning image: Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image19_21.jpg?itok=oI3RgCZe" title="Podium space envisaged for 601 Pacific Highway. Planning image: Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Podium space envisaged for 601 Pacific Highway. Planning image: Architectus</figcaption></figure>That opportunity will under preliminary plans see Stockland chase a predominantly residential outcome across the site, with 500 plus apartments expected. 5 basement levels for 255 vehicles are included, as is a mixed-use 7 level podium.

Office space is slated for the podium above ground floor retail uses, with community uses such as a childcare facility spanning almost 2,000 square metres.

In Architectus' words "601 Pacific Highway will be a place where people shop, live, work and gather to enjoy the public domain. The indicative concept design results in a design outcome which will strengthen the town centre with active and engaging ground floors and provide an iconic tower appropriate to its strategic location."

Stockland's bid is comfortably the largest proposal for the suburb north of Sydney's CBD. St Leonard's rapidly evolving skyline sees existing towers reaching 35 levels, whilst 617-621 Pacific Highway has approval in place for a 180 metre residential tower.

617-621 Pacific Highway abuts the Stockland site.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image20_14.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="601 Pacific Highway and within an emerging built form context. Planning image: Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="231" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image20_14.jpg?itok=yJ6Vu9wG" title="601 Pacific Highway and within an emerging built form context. Planning image: Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>601 Pacific Highway and within an emerging built form context. Planning image: Architectus</figcaption></figure>Urbis compiled the Economic Impact Assessment for the rezoning of 601 Pacific Highway, making note that "North Sydney, Macquarie Park and Chatswood are now deemed more attractive for traditional office occupiers. The following market evidence indicates that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future:"

Although 7,500 square metres of office space is included within the planning proposal, it falls short of the existing building's 12,600 square metres.

Architectus' design for 601 Pacific Highway would potentially accommodate as many as 1,187 new residents, whilst an additional full-time, part-time and casual retail job rate of 109 is envisaged.

For Stockland, the bid to rezone the Pacific highway site reaffirms its re-emergence as an apartment developer in Sydney. The St Leonards site aside, Stockland has in its keep a 6237 square metre Rosebery development site and a <a href="https://www.propertycouncil.com.au/Web/Content/News/National/2018/McDonald_s_moves_into_apartments_with_Stockland.aspx">Parramatta opportunity</a> on the corner of Church Street and Victoria Road with plans approximately 350 apartments.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/image22_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A childcare centre with a view. Planning image: Architectus"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="317" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_17.jpg?itok=HaJtuM15" title="A childcare centre with a view. Planning image: Architectus" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A childcare centre with a view. Planning image: Architectus</figcaption></figure>
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