Towers for Southport, Melbourne and Adelaide

Southern Hemisphere’s Tallest Planned

A 108-story mixed-use tower, which would be the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, is part of the Imperial Square development planned in Southport by Azzura Corp., The Urban Developer reported. Taller than the 103-story Empire State Building in New York City, the structure would contain a university, 2,200 residential units, a 200-room hotel and student housing. It would be joined by 48- and 68-story towers atop a six-level podium in the city’s central business district at Ferry Road and Meron Street. The architect is Kris Kowalski, who said the intent is to reinforce the Gold Coast as an internationally recognized tourism and education destination. Construction is expected to start later this year.

63-Story Residential Tower Completed in Melbourne

Eq. Tower, a shimmery 63-story residential tower containing more than 630 apartments and an array of amenities, is complete in downtown Melbourne, Australia, The Urban Developer reported. Located on A’Beckett Street, the property was developed by ICD Property and designed by Elenberg Fraser with a shape that changes between levels 24 and 36, reminiscent of a flower vase with a long neck. It also boasts energy-efficient features such as solar panels and high-performance double glazing. KONE provided the vertical-transportation for Eq. Tower, and Multiplex handled the construction.

Developer Plans Melbourne Tower, Historic Revamp

Developer RJ International hopes to build a 39-story, 145-m-tall apartment/hotel tower in Melbourne that would include the refurbishment of the historic Tea House on Clarendon Street, Urban Melbourne reported. Australian architect CLWA designed a glassy, elliptical structure that would include approximately 310 hotel rooms, 40 apartments and hidden parking. The site adjoins the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the project includes restoration of the original façade of the Tea House, built in 1887 and on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Woods Bagot-Designed Kodo Rising in Adelaide

Ground was broken in April on the 30-story apartment tower Kodo at 29 Angas Street near Victoria Square in Adelaide, The Urban Developer reported. Designed by Woods Bagot, the structure is aiming for a late 2018 completion, and features a four-level podium containing parking and resident amenities. The developer is Flagship Property Holdings, which, along with the state government, is offering grants totaling up to AUS$38,000 (US$28,300) to first-time homeowners. Flagship observed that Kodo promises to become “an iconic feature on the Adelaide skyline.”