Melbourne will finally have one-up on Sydney when it comes to tourist attractions, with plans to build a new ‘super tall’ building that will take the title for being the highest in the southern hemisphere.
Located at 70 Southbank Boulevard, the 100-level ‘Australia 108 Tower’ will cost over $900 million and house around 4,000 people when completed.
Designed by Fender Katsalidis – the same architects that designed the 297.3-metre Eureka Tower in 2006 – the building will comprise of around 1,105 apartment over 80 levels, two levels of high-end residents on properties and a podium with car park, retail and amenities.
The building will also have a lap pool and cinema and ‘extremely fast’ lifts that travel around three floors a second.
The podium level car park design features walkable garden beds planted with phoenix palms, The Fifth Estate reported.
Project architect Nonda Katsalidis told the online real estate publication that the tower will also be energy efficient, with natural ventilation and energy efficient lighting.
Architect Karl Fender said once completed the building would be Australia’s most significant tower.
“It will capture the attention of people from around the world with its dramatic silhouette and its very unusual sculptural built form. It will add a new landmark, which will further enhance Melbourne’s profile as a leading centre of livability, culture and architecture.”
Karl Fender, architect