Melbourne Approves Three Skyscrapers Adding 2,022 Apartments To The City

Victoria Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, approved three new apartment developments this week in Melbourne, Australia including a 100-story skyscraper that will become the tallest apartment building in the southern hemisphere. The three projects are expected to cost a total of $830 million and provide housing to 4,000 people. The three developments will also create 5,800 construction jobs over the next five years. Construction will get underway on the tallest and most prominent of the three buildings, Australia 108, within the next year and it will be completed by 2019.

According to Matthew Guy, “Australia 108 will be the first 100-storey building in the Southern Hemisphere. At a height of 319 meters above ground, it fits within relevant aviation regulations, and will include 1,105 apartments. This includes a good mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments that will bring diverse household types into this central city location.”  Australia 108 will narrowly edge out Melbourne’s Eureka Tower for the title of the southern hemisphere’s tallest residential tower. Although it will not be considered taller than the Q1 Gold Coast building due to the building’s spire, Australia 108 will have the tallest roofline in Australia and most inhabitable floors (100). Had Australia 108 had proceeded with its original design, though, it would be taller than the Q1 Gold, but the building’s height was decreased from the originally proposed 388 meters to 319 meters due to air safety regulations.

The defining feature of Australia 108 will be the “golden starbursts” on the 70^th and 71^st floor. The “starbursts” will house luxury services for residents including infinity pools that overlook the city. The building will also feature retail stores, a pool, gym sauna, private theater and multi-level parking structure.

In addition to Australia 108, Melbourne will soon see construction begin on a 75-story and a 54-story apartment building. Guy is happy that Victoria currently has the strongest construction sector in Australia. He believes that the state’s planning system provides its city with an economic advantage over other Australian cities.  Guy points out the fact that 54% more homes have gained approval in Melbourne than Sydney. He believes this is the key reason why Melbourne is not facing a housing shortage like Sydney is at the moment.