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From one angle or another, from even miles away in , one can see a giant architect’s ruler, pointing to the heavens. The tower scrapes the sky with its beautiful gold crown that sits upon its summit to signify the Eureka Stockade rebellion during the Victorian Gold Rush of 1854. A closer look also reveals a red stripe, signifying the blood shed during the rebellion. The blue glass panels that have been hung from the massive frame represent the flag of the stockade.

Written by Dave Côté

The is a massive 297 metre tall, 91 storey residential building, located at 7 Riverside Quay Southbank VIC 3006, Australia. The building is the tallest residential building in Australia and the 10th tallest residential building in the world. Currently it holds the record for being the tallest residential building with the most residential space within.

The architectural draft of the building was completed by Fender Katsalidis Architects, the civil engi- neering was carried out by Connell Mott Macdonald, and the was performed by Grocon Constructors Pty Ltd and Lubeca Construction Pty Ltd. The building comprises 556 Apartments, 13 elevators that can travel from the first floor to the 88th in 38 seconds flat, 52,000 square metres of window glass, 3680 stairs, 110,000 tonnes of concrete, and 5000 tonnes of steel. The completed struc- ture weighs in at 200,000 tonnes.

“I think that with the growing need in Melbourne, with the population growth, that high residential buildings will become more and more prevalent as we go,” says Peter Jones, Building Manager for Eureka Tower. “The developer of the tower was Eureka Tower Pty Ltd, a joint venture consisting of Daniel Grollo (Grocon), investor Tab Fried and one of Eureka Tower’s architects, Nonda Katsalidis.”

Construction began in August 2002 and the building opened in October 2006. At the time it was the world’s tallest residential building. The building was built using single form concrete with a 220 MPA rating while the top ten floors of the tower boast 3

a façade of 24ct-gold-coated glass. Penthouses on the top building. The sculpture is made from anodized aluminium floors are for sale and start at 7 million dollars. These pent- sheet using cast aluminium for the antennae and small bees’ houses occupy the size of the entire floor and must be outfit- legs. “The sheets are riveted together using 110,000 anodised ted by the tenant after purchase. rivets,” Peter explains. “From afar, the bees look simply like cute golden bees but up close they contain a huge amount of Richard Stringer, a local artist, created the queen bee and her detail, and hint at the dense and thriving community within colony of workers bees which reside on the building’s lower the Tower’s walls.” façade. This beautiful piece of artwork signifies community, and their golden-hued finish complements the apex of the On the roof of the building, for safety, are two 360,000 litre 4

the building, say 81, the Premier Rise and the River Rise can continue occupation so they don’t have to evacuate, so it’s only two floors up and one floor down that need to evacu- ate. If the situation escalates then we just do floor by floor.” The building maintains 24 hour staff on site for security and other emergency duties. These staff members attend manda- tory training sessions once per week, well in advance of the government-mandated once per year.

Eureka Tower is one of only a few five star residential build- ings in the country. The building boasts a 24 hour concierge and security service, and is equipped with many different amenities for tenants including a pool and a 30 seat theatre for residents. There are also a number of clubs that have been water tanks designed to reduce sway. The building is de- formed within the building for residents’ enjoyment: youth signed to sway about 600 millimetres and along with its clubs, baby clubs, walking groups, and so forth. The building’s water tanks and beefy concrete frame it is able to withstand location is spectacular, offering tenants a beautiful view of any storm that may hit. These water tanks are also used to the city from Southbank, and near to pubs, restaurants and gravity feed the fire sprinkler system, preventing the need to Crown Casino. pump water up from below. “The Eureka Sky Deck commenced operation six years ago,” In case of an emergency where the building must be evacu- says Peter. “It’s a whole floor on level 88 that was custom built ated, the lifts are functional at all times, the stairwells are well for visitors to visit the observation deck, as well as another ventilated and the building is divided into sections. If a fire very interesting attraction that projects three metres out of were to break out in one of the top sections, the other two the building which is called The Edge. It’s a glass cube that would be considered safe for occupation, and so on. This can accommodate 12 people. It has a few really neat design system makes it easy for occupants from floors in one section features; for example, the floor is a bit uneven so it gives you to evacuate to a lower section rather than having to leave the a sense of immobility and makes you feel like you’re falling building altogether. over the edge.” Said John Forman, Manager of the Sky Deck at Eureka Tower, “The whole floor has become a real Melbourne “The building boasts a 24 hour con- icon attraction so we get a lot of media releases up there; a lot of people who do TVC Campaigns use the image of Eureka cierge and security service, Tower as an iconic structure in Melbourne.” and is equipped with many The Sky Deck sees roughly 600 thousand visitors each year, different amenities for tenants.” with around 30 per cent of those visitors coming from inter- national locations. The amazing thing about this type of at- As Peter explains, “The building is split up into three sec- traction is that it can cater to people from all over the world, tions: The River Rise, which is floors 1 to 24; The Premier whether they are nine years old, 89 years young or anywhere Rise, which is from 25 up to 52; and The Sky Rise, which is 53 in between. It can serve as a great school field trip or an excit- up to 92. So if there’s a fire on one of the upper sections of ing family outing. To serve these visitors, the Tower boasts a restaurant and two gift shops that sell many things including stuffed versions of the Eureka Tower mascot Deckstar. During special occasions, kids can also meet a life sized Deckstar!

Nowhere to go for New Years Eve? Check out the party on the top two floors of the Eureka Tower Sky Deck; purchase your tickets and enjoy the view from way above the city while ringing in the New Year. Or simply enjoy the iconic Melbourne Tower year-round; an appealing living space for residents and a stunning addition to the landscape for all, Eureka Tower has certainly made its mark upon the city. 5

EUREKA 89

Eureka 89, one of Melbourne’s premier private event spaces, located on the 89th storey of Eureka Tower, is a proud partner of the Miles for Smiles effort.

The aim of this 6500 mile (approx. 10,460 km) motorbike journey through SE Asia and Australia is to raise funds and awareness for Interplast Australia and New Zealand. Miles for Smiles will raise vital dollars to provide life-changing surgery to those living with a treatable disability and give them a reason to smile.

Miles for Smiles also raises awareness of the difficulties of health care access for Australia’s developing neighbours and the work being done by Interplast volunteers in these countries.

Raising money for this organisation will be Peter Jones, Building Manager of Eureka Tower since 2004. He will travel via motorbike through South East Asia to raise funds and awareness for this important cause. His trip will be a 45 day long journey through six different countries, with the aim of raising 100,000 dollars.

Peter once asked one of Australia’s most prominent surgeons why he does charity work and his response was this: “My belief is this: if you’re in a position to change a life for the better, with just the push of a button, or a stroke of a pen, or the flick of a scalpel – if you have that power, and you refuse to make a simple effort... well, maybe it’s time for you to review your reasons for being here, because nothing is more important.” For more information regarding Interplast and Peter Jones’ Miles for Smiles journey, please visit www.milesforsmiles.org.au. Eureka Skydeck 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006 Tel: (03) 9693 8888900 www.eurekaliving.com.au

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