Since the masonic centre developemnt as commenced with prelimanary works , its time to start a thread on the long awaited office tower.

stats-

height -130m
original masonic centre-30m (1974)
tower- storeys-30
18 months construction schedule-completion-mid 2004


existing Masonic Centre-cnr Goulburn & Castlereagh streets.

http://www.sydneymasoniccentre.com/images/vr1small.jpg


pic of model courtesy of FINN!!



http://www.arch.usyd.edu.au/~afindlay/civictower.jpg

Its good to see it come along ....... after 28 years!

I can't wait to see the materials they will use on the exterior and after its all completed whether it will look as if it has been there for 28 years.

The main possitive thing is that it is a commercial tower and it adds to the major shift of commercial towers heading in a southerly direction in the CBD. ;)

Kor, the building is sooooo ugly! It looks so circa 1975 - couldn't they have designed this building to look like it was built in the 2000's?

I must checkout the city model to see how much of an impact it will have on the skyline as viewed from the west and east, if at all.
Wonder if it will be a white coloured tower or a glassy facade- it would look pretty cool if it was all one striking colour - if it's plain brown pebble crete then it will look terrible.

@spaz - here's a pic of the model, courtesy of Fabian - not sure if that helps on the view from the east and west?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/p98e22c95551166b0c0c157a2f8656f81/fd594e04.jpg.orig.jpg

From what I can tell, there will be no view of it from the west side, with the exception of a sliver of the edge of the tower, if viewed at the correct angle.

However it will be quite visible from the east (the top of it anyway), as it rises above the heritage listed Downing Centre, and has the buffer of Hyde Park South to keep a clear view.

Whoppeeeeeeeeeee

Good to hear prelimnary construction has began on the site.

Won't be too long before the core starts rising.

A question, is the Masonic Club going to be open as normal during construction?

hideous

@ finn. Of course the fabulous pic taken by Fabian is just a tad out of date.

I had a quick chance to call into the Town Hall model yesterday and Latitude, East and Civic Tower are all now painted red. If all going well with Aspects sales, as they have been so far, we can also look forward to Aspect being painted red by around February next year (now painted grey in the above model pic). :)

Oviously the pic of the above model is taken from an easternly aspect.

@ Marilyn Chambers The original Civic Tower is actaully a 1974 design; not 1975. Since the early-mid 70s, newer materials and structural engineering techniques have been introduced almost 30 years hence. BTW It will be built in the 2000s!!

Mazz, we have yet to hear you say anything positive about Sydney developments. :(

Well I do love the World Tower. But I am not impressed with the Masonic Tower. It just looks outdated - a lost opportunity if you will. That space could have been used for something more exciting.

I think my favourite building in Sydney would have to be that lovely skyscraper with the cone-shaped roof that lights up blue at night. It is beautiful.

It's too early to make a judgement how nice or bad the tower really is. We won't know until it's done.

Also how could say it's outdated Marilyn, you haven't even seen a coloured rendering or photos that show that it looks outdated. The developers might be incorporatign modern features into the tower.

yeah marilyn, don't be such a criticlle bitch! oh the one you love is 1 O'Connell st

Dear me! We're not trying to inhibit the right of a forum member to voice their opinions now, are we boys?

I certainly agree that the tower is not of this time in its aesthetics, but the Masonic Centre (the base) is not going anywhere, and if that's going to stay, I would prefer they build this tower to its original design.

Both the centre and the initially designed tower are a style of architecture that is few and far between in Australian cities, and for that reason, I welcome the increased diversity of architectural styles to our streets. There will also be a vast improvement even without the tower, in that the new ground floor retail/cafes will enliven that otherwise dead corner. :)

And I'm always a sucker for more density, so build it I say! ;)

Originally posted by Vile Tower
hideous

It's classy! Trust us!;)

They should clad the whole thing in black or dark blue glass.... then it would look classy! :)

Are they going for a retro 70's scraper look?? Its looks pretty yuck to me, the only redeeming factor is the base. I guess I'll have to wait till the facade comes up to make my mind on it.

yeah marilyn, don't be such a criticlle bitch!

Goodness me - I merely expressed my opinion on this building. If I knew that nothing but positive comments were allowed, then I never would have said anything.

Yeah Noonos, that was uncalled for i.e. the "critical bitch" statement.

@ Mazz, you keep expressing your opinions, whether they're positive or otherwise. BTW Marilyn, I now don't think you are the real Ms Chambers.....even if you are hiding behind the green door.

Anyway, I think Civic Tower is going to look great. With newer materials introduced into the 2000s (and not the 70s). A nice polished granite with really cool coloured glass windows would look superb.

Calling all people with cameras!! rondeez, CULLWULLA, jcocks, Bulwara, finn........take some more nice pics of the site with the red painted Grocon crane atop of the Masonic Centre's podium......phuleeeeese ;) .

I reckon it will look fab once complete, afterall it is Grollo building it and I don't think they will tarnish their reputation with an "el-cheapo" & dated looking tower.

Grocon are an excellent company. Look at the Sydney GPO and the 2 new towers built in the complex. Trust me it will look great!

Finn is right in saying that the new tower and glass curtain around the base are far better than a dead corner. That base on its own is more ghastly than a retro looking tower built on it.

..... and lay off Mazza, she has a right to her opinions like we all do ;)

Only about 1 hour again while downtown in the rain, i noticed hoardings are already being built on the Goulburn St side around the base of the Masonic Centre.

There was also a crane operator moving material around on top of the podium.

They're not wasting much time on the Civic Tower project either. :) :) :)

The speed with which we get our new southern CBD skyline will be breathtaking I think!

Considering that World Tower's core is already topped out, and that Civic and Latitude have already got major head-starts with their foundatons and bases completed, and will be finished in 2004, it will only be about 18 months till all 3 of these towers are topped out (and completed externally at least)! Plus, Lobana is already above ground now, and the only way from here is up!

I think Village is going to take a little while, as will Aspect, considering that they have demolition of existing buildings and excavation to go, but they wont be too far behind! Also, Seidler designs are well known for their speed of construction, so after they get all the underground stuff done, I'm sure Village will be rising like Cove did! :D

Some new photo's of the crane. Taken yesterday

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/p300bfade017bc9a37088b8a517fa1882/fcfd7b25.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pca24bb0ee466c9a7b1271113a7ad0dac/fcfd7b36.jpg

Yestrday, down at the Civic Tower site i have now noticed all the metal supports have been firmly set into place along Goulburn Street for the hoardings. I've noticed they havn't started the same along the Pitt Street side as yet. Maybe it won't be eventuating along the Pitt Street side at all; As iff!!!

Let the Civic Tower contruction party begin :banana:

Maybe the hoarding's on Pitt St are there as a precaution, just in case something falls onto the street and pedrestarians won't be hurt.

heres a clearer pic of the Civic tower crane.!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid40/pc8fcf156bf7159505206acc892e420e8/fcff8944.jpg

Originally posted by museumb
Yestrday, down at the Civic Tower site i have now noticed all the metal supports have been firmly set into place along Goulburn Street for the hoardings. I've noticed they havn't started the same along the Pitt Street side as yet. Maybe it won't be eventuating along the Pitt Street side at all; As iff!!!

Let the Civic Tower contruction party begin :banana:


I think that the Pitt St frontage will only really have the refurbishment of the podium along the ground level - if you look back at the model I posted higher you can see that Civic Tower actually sits on the western side of the podium, and is primarily along Goulburn St.

When they are ready to finish off the glass curtain wall facade along the Pitt St facade, later in the construction process, I'm sure then we'll see some more major hoardings/scaffolding. :)

And I say YAY! as well to the construction of this project! :banana:

Actually at 7.30AM on a Sunday morning downtown walk, i passed by the Civic Tower site.

Already 5 hoarding intaller guys were there and i spoke with them briefly. They think the construction material delivery section is a new pine boarded partially cordoned off area on the Castlereagh & Goulburn St corners. Either there or near the underground carpark rampway on the Goulburn Street side. Anyway, time will tell.

Hopefully after the hoarding construction has ben completed and "doozied" up, a nice rendering will appear.

The Masonic Centre is still accessible at the 279 Castlereagh Street entrance.

A nice pic Bulwara took (Civic Tower will deter from the blank wall at the back of the Ibis Hotel).

............http://images.fotki.com/v10/photos/2/22045/167517/wt01-vi.jpg

whats that big fucker in the background with the twin cranes on it.






:laugh: :nuts: :clown: :fart:

"That big fucker" is exactly that. It's World Tower, a rather large slick apartment monolith that you won't see from that angle in 6-7 months time due to the rising floor plates of Civic Tower.

Guys civic tower is now under site preparation generators and and bins were hoisted on to the floor today
hopefully after chrissy we see a core box and some floor plates rise

BACK IN BUSINESS PEOPLE!! SITE IN FULL SWING!! :okay:

anyone know when the core is going to begin?

It's the $64 dollar question at the moment.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>It's the $64 dollar question at the moment.</td></tr>
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$64? i think $64,000 sounds better! anyhow, Grocon will start in core in Feb/march!!

:D

For the best view of the construction site, go into the law library on level 8 of the John Maddison Tower (law courts building - corner elizabeth and goulburn sts). From here you can see directly over the top of the site. Someone might want to take a digital camera and post the results.

Go to level 14 or higher, and you get a great view of the South CDB and beyond.

Its a public building, dont be put off by the lawyers in suits.

NEWS FLASH:

It has began to rise!

You are looking at the lift core or the part supporting the tower.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p482df0f9d1faa9b65d4103ad119446c1/fcc5d0ce.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p7de27210a36cbc10fa4d28d55cef41d4/fcc5d0dd.jpg

Yiiiiihaaaa. This has been a very progressive week, right across the country.

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!:D

I went past the site today and would like to say that the core has risen slightly, about one level in the past two weeks.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid49/paa43269217790947cca997fb67ac3c21/fcb5ab38.jpg

Is that the lift core? I would have thought it'd be further into the site, sinct the tower itself is located away from the street. It might just be a slab or something. I don't know. What we really need is a pic from an adjacent high-rise.

EDIT: Just had a look at the city model pics and yes, it looks like it is in fact the core.

Cooool pics it is soo excellent to see progress.

Does anyone have any idea at the rate the core will rise ? Will it be a floor every 10 days or what ?

Called into the Grocon on-site office this morning, and was informed that Civic Tower extertanlly will be concrete, simlar to the Masonic podium which Civic Tower will be built upon.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2002/11/170809.jpg

I don't know if the tower will be good or bad with concrete. I will reserve judgement until I start seeing cladding hopefully by the end of the year.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>I don't know if the tower will be good or bad with concrete. I will reserve judgement until I start seeing cladding hopefully by the end of the year.</td></tr>
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If it's going to be concrete, there won't be any cladding.

The concreted Masonic Centre podium on the corner of Goulburn & Castlereagh Streets, which Civic Tower is now being constructed upon by Grocon:

http://www.sydneymasoniccentre.com/images/vr1small.jpg

I was very happy that in the latest edition of Building Australia that renders of Civic Tower (along with an interesting article on its construction techinques), will be taller than Museum Towers which stands @ 107m. Civic will be 130m.

So this means that even though Civic will be freestanding, it will virtually hide one of Sydney's many blank walls i.e. the tall southern wall of Museum Towers. Now we will be able to look at a tall brutalist structure with windows LOL.

A pic of Museum Towers Culwulla took; early Meritonia:

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2002/11/172072.jpg


BTW Rainier Tower in Seattle is considered a relative of this project. Both designed for completion in the latter part of the 70s.

Rainier stands 31 levels above ground @ 157m and completed in 1977. Civic will stand 35 levels above ground , including the Masonic Centre base, @ 135m above ground, and was initially supposed to be completed about the same period as Rainier. Different architects.

Look slightly familiar?........

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2002/10/164195.jpg

MuseumB you smarty pants you ;)

Me thinks they are too similar. Its funny as if we have decided to "clone" the Seattle tower some 30 years later in Tinseltown :D

What is going on with civic ? I thought it would have had a rise by now.

Steve, it is basically taking them almost 3 months to build the diagonal transfer structure which the main tower will be supported by (see rendering).

They had to take the roof off first that was placed on top of the Masonic Centre over where the podium of the tower would sit, along with other prepatory work like scaffolding, hordings etc.. We also had to contend with their 2 & 1/2 week Xmas/N.Y. holiday break.

Once in total of the 3 month construction period for the diagonal structure, we will begin to see the tower's floors rise, possibly by mid-late April if all is going smoothly.

I am very excited about this building actually and i'm not even a big fan of brutalism. I am following this one's construction very carefully. :)

museumb

Thanks for that. This should be an interesting one having a 70s building built in 2003. It will be an asset to the city.

How will Civic be an asset? What do you mean by this?

Oh ... God ... NO

That rendering from the newspaper, what the F###

My eyes are burning

They can't!

I was drawing buildings like that back in the mid-70's when I was 5 !

This one I will need some time to get used to

i just chatted to planner about the "exposed concrete" facade of Civic and he said its gona look schmick! it will be blasted then polished so it definately wont have the finish of a concrete wall of chimney etc. he said it will look similar to Cove!
:D

"excellent" is a good word for it :D

heres two renders museumb kindly gave me today!
looks very stream lined!


http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181221.jpg


http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181222.jpg

Excellent renderings!

It's going to dominate that part of town!

Yeah excellent renderings. It doesn't look dated at all, it fits in fine.

This one will be an instant eyesore.

those rendering dont make it look good...

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by MrTall </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>This one will be an instant eyesore.</td></tr>
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How will it be an eyesore. I just want to know.

I've also noticed how people comment, but don't give a reason to support their point. I think you guy's should do that to help understand your views.

I agree with Fabian, you really have to give a bit more than just "I don't like it"... articulate your answers and thoughts more substantially so others can understand...

jeeze, i sound like my Year 12 english teacher. LOL.

Anyway, about Civic tower. I've always liked this tower because it's finally being constructed and it's a tower! Furthermore, it's brutal and uncompromising. It's in your face and boxy. I think it will become a bit of a landmark tower in sydney. Look at the renders, look how it stands out. Nothing else in sydney really matches it...

Look at it this way, we've got World tower with its very melbournian complicated facade with bits hanging off everywhere and weird angles, then Latitude and EAST with their glassy green/light blue facade, we've got north with its curvy balconies and that certain Sielder touch and then there's Aspect with it's (more than strong) hint of Meritonia (kill me now). And now you've got Civic. What a wonderful and ecclectic collection of towers within 200m of each other. Design diversity people, it's good.

I think the fact that this tower is not clad in walls of glass has put a few of us 'off side', which is understandable I guess.
It is very 'white' and understated in its design and detail which also probably doesn't help !
I think it will fit in nicely with its sorrounds i.e it will not look 'samey' with other towers in the southern CBD.
It will be different and that is what is sorely needed in that area.

I found a tower in Hong Kong that was built in a similar style to that of Civic

http://e274.w3.ton.tut.fi/hk/1987/hk-c.jpg

Here is Civic from the Waldorf. It appears to the right of World Tower as stated by Finn. Notice the rapid progress with the core which is the green scaffholding.

Picture by Culwulla

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182271.jpg

thank god, Civic tower will look nicer than Prince of Wales bldg!
Its a shocker from 1979. it rises 113m/28storeys.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/5/2000/10/117333.jpg
It was amonst the ten tallest on completion in HK.

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>thank god, Civic tower will look nicer than Prince of Wales bldg!
Its a shocker from 1979. it rises 113m/28storeys.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/5/2000/10/117333.jpg
It was amonst the ten tallest on completion in HK.</td></tr>
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Its funny how just a more consistent facade, better height/width proportions, and rounded corners can make the Civic design look significantly better than that chunky little thing!

Yeah but don't forget that Civic was also designed in the 70's and it really shows. It's a shitbox. But at 135m tall I'll take it any day!

This 1st rendering is inscale, taken almost 2 blocks away, from Goulburn & George Sts:

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181221.jpg


However, this 2nd rendering of Civic is looking way out of scale, i.e. quite small from the corner of Elizabeth & Goulburn Sts opposite the John Madison Tower on Castlereagh Street.

John Madison is the grey structure on the right in the Civic Tower render directly opposite, both on the cnrs of Goulburn & Castlereagh Sts, only 1 block away. Civic needs to much taller in this 2nd rendering.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181222.jpg

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>Yeah but don't forget that Civic was also designed in the 70's and it really shows. It's a shitbox. But at 135m tall I'll take it any day!</td></tr>
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I don't think Civic is a shitbox at all! Quite to the contrary... I think it will look very smart if they give it a new-millenium touch...

polish the concrete and/or paint it white, while using blue or black-tinted windows and I'll eat my words if it doesn't look sexy as f*ck :-)

I agree jcocks, it should look sexy as far as office towers go http://www.x-plain.de/gallery/catwoman/catfilx2.jpg .

I like the elongated vertical windows of Civic, which will give almost, that is almost floor to ceilng height views fom within for the office workers.

Heres a section plan of Civic Tower from latest Concrete Construction mag.
the height is 130m to roof and 132m to LMR.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182753.jpg

cool pic cul! this tower will be sweet-ass

Why wasn't civic completed in the 70s ?

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<tr><td align=left valign=top>Why wasn't civic completed in the 70s ?</td></tr>
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Well from Masonic article in Construction mag, the tower never went ahead due to 1980's economic downturn.
Grocon bought the site from Ipoh Corporation in 1999, whish held the site since a decade earlier.
The explosive growth of the legal profession has created the demand for office space in this up town area!
The anchor tenant is Department of Prosecutions and will occupy 5 floors.
heres a fact!- Lawyers now take up more floor space than retail in the entire CBD!
:D

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<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Why wasn't civic completed in the 70s ?</td></tr>
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Well from Masonic article in Construction mag, the tower never went ahead due to 1980's economic downturn.
Grocon bought the site from Ipoh Corporation in 1999, whish held the site since a decade earlier.
The explosive growth of the legal profession has created the demand for office space in this up town area!
The anchor tenant is Department of Prosecutions and will occupy 5 floors.
heres a fact!- Lawyers now take up more floor space than retail in the entire CBD!
:D</td></tr>
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Thats very interesting, thanks for that.

That is unbelieveable what you said about Lawyers taking up more space than retail. Unbelieveable.

Why wait another year for construction when you can fly it down today? Brizzie's Jetset ( no pun) House is a dead-ringer for this building, dimensions and all. I'll try to find a better pic, but 1nce you viddy this mongrel you'll understand why few bother to capture it:http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/5/2000/07/101400.jpg

Our gift to you!

Like that cross section.

The reason for why legal professions occupying the tower is that the Downing Centre District Court and the Civil Court are virtually across the road on Castleragh St and then the Family Court is across the road too in Goulburn street. It's also several blocks down from the Supreme Court. It makes for a very convienent venue and I won't be surprised if legal professions are the main occupants.

That's the major market that Civic Tower is aiming for - the legal fraternity. Even down to the coffee shop planned for street level on the corner, similar to the coffee shops @ the base of the John Maddison & Downing. Always lot's of "legal-eagles" sitting in those, gabbing away about their cases between court sessions.

The city office for Legal Aid is in the area too. Lot's of lawyers and solicitors in the John M. Building & the Federal Police Building on Goulburn St.

I'm glad there has been a 30 year delay as we will now have a "smart building" for the new Century with a modern infrastructure, instead of a redundant 70s fugly needing a total refurb.

@ oztraelian. Now Brissy's Jetset House is a total fugly :( . lol @ "Our gift to you" - cue for playing "hot potato" with that fugly!!

@ Fabian. Even though the core will rise from the middle of it, the green mesh in the pic below is actually for the 3 month construction of the diagonal transfer structure.
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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Here is Civic from the Waldorf. It appears to the right of World Tower as stated by Finn. Notice the rapid progress with the core which is the green scaffolding. Picture by Culwulla

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182271.jpg</td></tr>
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I happen to work not far from there in a law firm. It will be interesting to see how much growth in office space will be driven by law firms. The Carr government has made it really tough to bring proceedings for many types of "accidents" with new legislation advocating "personal responsibility" and restricting damages. It has cut down the available work to many personal injury and insurance firms, big and small

Also, the Compensation Court, one of the major "tenants" in the John Maddison Tower, is being abolished at the end of the year. The Workers Compensation Commission has already opened in its place in 1 Oxford St. Perhaps we will see some demand for office space there, although it is only a block or so away from John Maddison.

As I said earlier, if you want a good look at Civic Tower, go to the library in level 8 John Maddison.

pix of base today!
http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182794.jpg


http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182795.jpg

rare view looking thru latitude site from george Street

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/182796.jpg

Good picture Culwulla

Another storey added since. I'm pleased with it's progress at this early stage.

That is not another actual storey. Compare the pics with the renderings and the side evlevation.

I was in the vicinity this afternoon and took these pics.

here's a 180-degree view looking west to east

http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0295masonic-or.jpg

the site

http://images2.fotki.com/v19/photos/2/22045/167517/0296masonic-or.jpg

Looks like they haven't even started on the external works for the 3 month-long construction of the diagonal transfer structure. Until the concrete has finally cured on that, we probably won't see any real floorplates rise.

The square of green is where of course the core will be a-happenin'.

The Haymarket/Central carpark seems like a good perch for taking pics of the "Goulburn Street Follies" too.

Those site offices look very messy on the roof.

LOL, They aren't goin' to the high-school prom. It's a messy job for the yob!

I managed to get atop the 30m high roof of Goulburn st carpark. the view is fantastic!
Heres some pix from today!
this classic shot gets Civic, Latitude & Cassia Garden in !
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p97e4312c83f97477243d3dc52e931c81/fc8e2d50.jpg

this castlereagh st vista looks like a street in NYC!!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/pb1b1a94cbce32094dff8cce3e42378c4/fc8e2d4e.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p5a3e18c0ddb5221d10a17a2b1de70dfa/fc8e2910.jpg

Oh! Love that 2nd canyon shot CULWULLA! I knew that horrible carpark was good for something :).

Spoke with the Civic project manager yesterday and was told that we should start to see the first floor plate begin to rise in about 6 - 7 weeks from now at the latest. Yippppeeee! :) - Steve W.T. take note ;) !!

If youre saying the first floor will be laid in 6-7 weeks. It means we should see it being covered by us over the Easter Holidays. I'll try and check this out if I can.

6-7 weeks on the one hand that is good because they have made some progress. But on the other hand 6-7 weeks is forever. A war could destroy the worlds economies by then.

Okkkkaaaaaaaay, that's one way of lookin' at it.

However, we have waited virtually 30 years for this one to be built (and an updated version at that!!), so 6-7 weeks is microscopic. Grocon is right on schedule with this version.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Okkkkaaaaaaaay, that's one way of lookin' at it.

However, we have waited virtually 30 years for this one to be built (and an updated version at that!!), so 6-7 weeks is microscopic. Grocon is right on schedule with this version.</td></tr>
</table>

Very true. Hopefully it flies by in no time.

Whats the Total Office Space in Civic Tower

And how many Sq/m Did the anchor Tennant take up?

took pix today of massive steel beams being put into place! ill post them tonight!

http://www.suva.com.au/__data/site/design/1/images/3Dsuva.gif

i think the floor space of Civic Tower will be approx 40,000sqm?
The anchor tennant will occupy about 8 floors/10,000sqm i think?
dont quote me!

Thanks for that Cullwulla

Also another Question when will it be completed

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by SydMelBrisAdeDarPerHo </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Thanks for that Cullwulla

Also another Question when will it be completed</td></tr>
</table>
i think a more accurate quess would be 30,000sqm. Grocon have said it will be completed by late 2004.

who is the anchor tenant? (sorry if this question has already been answered - I presume it is one of the law firms?)

its gonna have its anchor tenant as the government, i think its department of prosectution?

heres pix from today! major steel beams were put into place for the underside of tower.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p16cf82d0c8505a07bbc6c4db8851be82/fc82f3cc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/pff55accb21a25f681f5d994f7ee37ec7/fc82f3cf.jpg

The last pics Culwulla posted are starting to show the contruction of the diagonal transfer structure - with the steel beams being put into place - jutting out.

Not long before the floorplates start rising. Thats good. Also give's a good sign of how big the floorplates will be.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Thats good. Also give's a good sign of how big the floorplates will be.</td></tr>
</table>
True Fabian. The floorplates will be as wide as the diagonal transfer structure.

Refer back to the renderings of Civic on previous pages of this thread i.e. page 4.

the floor plates are 35m x 35m. they extend out to side of masonic podium, so it will look great from street level!

:D

Excellent, that is some serious progress.

Here is a picture of it's latest progress. More beams have been placed

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid55/p1ffa700632ca4ad95514e25a98bd8c26/fc7cc825.jpg

is it gonna be reinforced steel?
also progressing very quickly!

Think you mean reinforced concrete, which is concrete with steel rods running through it.

The inner-steel is what gives the concrete it's strength. If Civic didn't have the steel running through its concrete, it would just crumble like a house of cards under the stress .... and that would be before it even got half way.

pix from today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/03/184700.jpg


heres a close up of the steel frames which will be filled with concrete (as Muse indicated).

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid55/p88d65df9bd07e6d8d9288bb1f1f4dd60/fc7c75cb.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/03/184705.jpg

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Think you mean reinforced concrete, which is concrete with steel rods running through it.

The inner-steel is what gives the concrete it's strength. If Civic didn't have the steel running through its concrete, it would just crumble like a house of cards under the stress .... and that would be before it even got half way.</td></tr>
</table>

I think Noonos was asking if Civic will be steel framed like Latitude... which is a good question. Will it?

edit: right. Reinforced concrete... I should try reading some posts eh? ;)

Yet another diagonal transfer structure planned and about to be constructed in London. The 19 level Capitalview:

__________http://www.touchlondon.com/development/1540/images/ZPic2.jpg

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Looks like they haven't even started on the external works for the 3 month-long construction of the diagonal transfer structure. Until the concrete has finally cured on that, we probably won't see any real floorplates rise.

The square of green is where of course the core will be a-happenin'.

The Haymarket/Central carpark seems like a good perch for taking pics of the "Goulburn Street Follies" too.</td></tr>
</table>

Are the beams we can see extending out from the core the "diagonal transfer structure" ? And if they are, will they take 3 months to finish ?

That means we are 3 months away from a floor rise.

Yummy pics Culwalla

Those beams must be going in quick because if Culwalla and Fabian took those pictures on the same day, in the pic Fabian took there were only 3 on the south side but by the time Culwalla took a pic there was another one gone in.

also a point to remember is that the typical floor for Civic Tower is EXACTLY THE SAME for every floor from first to top floor ! This is very unusual for a skyscraper these days in Australia, thus meaning this tower will zooooom skywards due to the quick slip-form technique Grocon are famous for! And since its an exposed polished concrete finish, there will only be window fitting to add to facade. So i reckon this baby will set a speed record, full height this year!
any bets?

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Those beams must be going in quick because if Culwalla and Fabian took those pictures on the same day, in the pic Fabian took there were only 3 on the south side but by the time Culwalla took a pic there was another one gone in.</td></tr>
</table>

There were taken on the same day.

The photo I took was just before 9am.

Just on the Anchor tennant Are you sure its "The department of prosectutions"

the reason I ask is new buildings don't get Built unless they have an Anchor tennant am I right?

Because from what I have heard "the department of Prosections"have not moved

Just hoping I can get a better understanding of who's in the building:guns1: :guns1: :guns1:

Culwulla Is it a Postive that its The Department of Prosecutions

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Sydguy1 </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Culwulla Is it a Postive that its The Department of Prosecutions</td></tr>
</table>
90% sure!

You are actually referring to the DPP which stands for Department of Public Prosecutions.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Sydguy1 </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Just on the Anchor tennant Are you sure its "The department of prosectutions"

the reason I ask is new buildings don't get Built unless they have an Anchor tennant am I right?

Because from what I have heard "the department of Prosections"have not moved

Just hoping I can get a better understanding of who's in the building:guns1: :guns1: :guns1:</td></tr>
</table>

Of course they haven't moved ..... the building to which will house them has only begun construction. Upon Civic's completion will they be able to move in.

I ment they had no intention of moving

Is it "The department of public prosecutions" or just "The department of prosecutions"

Just asking:D :guns1: :guns1: :guns1:

The anchor tenant will be The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Of course the head office of the DPP is in Canberra, so this is just the Sydney regional office.

They will occupy five floors in the tower or 4620sq.m of office space.

While this may not seem like a huge pre-commitment, it is actually more than 20% of the floor space in the tower, which will have a total of 22,545 sq.m of leaseable office space.

Compare this to a development like the seemingly small 16 storey KPMG HQ, currently under construction at King St Wharf - it has a total of 26,000 sq.m! Even Lend Lease's new HQ, currently under construction on Hickson St, has 20,000 sq.m, over only 10 levels!

The fact that Civic Tower, with such a moderate amount of office space, will rise to 132m over the city is a rare and lucky event in this day and age!

I would have to say that it is also a rare and lucky event in the southern CBD. We are always being bombarded by residential developments in this part of town and towers such as Civic will balance things out and bring some activity to a quiet part of town.

to me ciiv seems to have a small floor plate.. i guess it does! cul, ould the tower have been approved if it tookk up more space on the podium??

How many more beams have gone in since the last pics ?

from today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/03/186138.jpg

It can be seen that the steel beams were being added. Culwulla, did you get a picture of the core with the beams pointing out?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>It can be seen that the steel beams were being added. Culwulla, did you get a picture of the core with the beams pointing out?</td></tr>
</table>

heres another from today
http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/03/186162.jpg

Do we know exactly what/when they are going to do around the bottom? From the renders it looks like a type of glass enclosure.

I just can't believe they're going to put a vintage 1970s building there...hasn't anyone seen the BRady Bunch movie?

Yeah it will be a full height glass enclosure. Fab took a close up of the model which shows the new look. Its pretty cool!
Blabby, the builders wanted to stay true to the original plans which i reckon is great. The tower wont look dull at all. the polished concrete look is timeless! trust me!;)

Here it is. It takes away that brutalist look and provides some shelter from those raging southerlys

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid29/pb91345e09de17998e4e0c907d1be8b66/fd595271.jpg

The last pic you posted Fabian Civic Tower is lopsided and about to keel over i.e. fall down :( !! Maybe it will be the raging southerlys that you mentioned which will blow it over when completed ;) . Not likely!

The model was placed by Culwulla in "Surry Hills", not the harbour like he normally would put models for us.

But the actual tower looks a bit lopsided.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>But the actual tower looks a bit lopsided.</td></tr>
</table>
If you mean the "actual tower" meaning the finished structure, it will certainly not be lopsided ... just take a gander of a repost of Civic Tower's rendering:

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/02/181221.jpg

no one answered myy question....could the tower have been larger? (ie floorplate, hieght..)??

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Noonos </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>no one answered myy question....could the tower have been larger? (ie floorplate, hieght..)??</td></tr>
</table>
no! the site ratio allowed only a tower of this size!:)

Museumb, I was refering to the model for the tower. You could see that the model was a bit lopsided

And heres a picture of the core from George St.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid57/p6cc061186bc97b1ad81adefb032387df/fc6e0e0f.jpg

Is this one gonna be a self supporting structure. They can't exactly excavate this one can they. Also is the overall height of the building from ground level or the roof of the Masonic centre where the building will start. I think there is better projects underway elsewhere in the city.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Is this one gonna be a self supporting structure. They can't exactly excavate this one can they. Also is the overall height of the building from ground level or the roof of the Masonic centre where the building will start. I think there is better projects underway elsewhere in the city.</td></tr>
</table>

This project was designed in 1974, at the same time as Masonic was designed (they were designed as one complex), but they have only just decided to build it now, almost 30 years later!

The height is measured from the ground at 132m.

Once upon a time I scoffed at this building, but as time is progressing, I'm growing to like it. Once I actually see some of the finished touches, I think I'll be convinced of it's individual style & design in this part of town. It will all come together nicely

Some pics I took this morning!


http://images2.fotki.com/v20/photos/2/22045/220204/0356masonic-vi.jpg

http://images2.fotki.com/v20/photos/2/22045/220204/0357masonic-or.jpg

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Bulwara </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Oh ... God ... NO . That rendering from the newspaper, what the F### .My eyes are burning. They can't! I was drawing buildings like that back in the mid-70's when I was 5 ! This one I will need some time to get used to</td></tr>
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You've been outed! Yes, i remember that Bulwara 'cos it was just after I was praising Civic. However, you did say that you will need some time to get used to it. Seems like you are finally coming around to liking it :okay: .

Last week when I went by the site, the northern-most trusses for the diagonal transfer structure were still not in place.

It's a shitbox that will go well in that part of town.

So with such groovy neighbours such as World Tower & Latitude, Civic Tower will be a "shitbox" going well in that part of the ghetto?

Oh well "Tallster" - a matter of personal taste ... aaalllllllll a matter of personal taste.....

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>So with such groovy neighbours such as World Tower & Latitude, Civic Tower will be a "shitbox" going well in that part of the ghetto?

Oh well "Tallster" - a matter of personal taste ... aaalllllllll a matter of personal taste.....</td></tr>
</table>


Well, World Tower and Latitude are the exceptions to the rule of crummy 70's and 80's junk in that area. There is a predominance of these "shitboxes".

But on the "it's all a matter of personal taste", I couldn't agree more.

The only shitbox right in the vicinity I can think of is Museum Towers - yuccho .... and thanks to the new millennium version of Civic Tower, a lot of that "crap-poo-dollap box" will be hidden.

Some think the Commonwealth Bank Tower on the cnr of Liverpool and Castlereagh Sts is one of "those" too, but I kinda like it.

But hey, the Mark Foys Building is pretty cool. The Family Courts Building & John Madisson Building, both opposite the Civic Tower site are pretty O.K.. Dunno about the multi-level 70s revamped car-park station above the subway entrances though :( !!

...but yes, all personal tastey-kins.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by MrTall </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>It's a shitbox that will go well in that part of town.</td></tr>
</table>

I don't think so. It's a pretty good tower going up in that part of town. It will lift up that end of town.

And as museumb said, there are spme good towers in that part of town. I agree with him in full.

the large beams look tiny up there, but this one arrived today on back of semi and was huge!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/187479.jpg

How was progress with the beams going?

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>How was progress with the beams going?</td></tr>
</table>
good, theres many now located around the core.

WOW! Look at the size of that beam! I was thinking that having to build the tower on top of a podium about 20m off street level must add to the logistics of the whole thing... Having to rely on cranes to lift everything rather than just having it at street level.

There is quite a bit of progress since the last pics.

There are some MASSSIVE beams on the corners and looks like they might be just about finished with putting anymore of them in. I guess they will move on to the next step now, whatever that is.

On modernising the original 70's Joseland Gilling's design, the floor plate size has increased from 840 sqm to 940 sqm to cater for new technolgy. This of course means a slightly wider tower.

Also something cute but interesting - because Civic Tower was redesigned with the legal community in mind, rather than carpet, a lot of the floors will feature non-slip floors for easy document trolley pushing. How cuuuuuute!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>On modernising the original 70's Joseland Gilling's design, the floor plate size has increased from 840 sqm to 940 sqm to cater for new technolgy. This of course means a slightly wider tower.

Also something cute but interesting - because Civic Tower was redesigned with the legal community in mind, rather than carpet, a lot of the floors will feature non-slip floors for easy document trolley pushing. How cuuuuuute!</td></tr>
</table>

Was that a legal requirement?:D

Umm, what are the beams for? They don't use them on Lobana Tower. I know it sounds a dumb question but the process of this and Latitude's tower I have never seen before. I only thought you had to go down to go up.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Umm, what are the beams for? They don't use them on Lobana Tower. I know it sounds a dumb question but the process of this and Latitude's tower I have never seen before. I only thought you had to go down to go up.</td></tr>
</table>
If you mean the browny crimson diagonal beams, they are for what is known as the "diagonal transfer structure" which will eventually be encased in concrete with ribbed featuring on the underside (see renders x 3 on page 3 and elevation on page 4).

The diagonal transer structure will centre the force of the 24 level tower plus the 2 plant levels down into the Masonic Centre's podium (which of course it was inially designed to do back in the early 70s).

BTW Latitude's v-shaped beams are to support the southern overhang - these will also disappear from view (see Latitude's construction thread for renderings).

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by climbing_crane </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Umm, what are the beams for? They don't use them on Lobana Tower. I know it sounds a dumb question but the process of this and Latitude's tower I have never seen before. I only thought you had to go down to go up.</td></tr>
</table>
If you mean the browny crimson diagonal beams, they are for what is known as the "diagonal transfer structure" which will eventually be encased in concrete with ribbed featuring on the underside (see renders x 3 on page 3 and elevation on page 4).

The diagonal transer structure will centre the force of the 24 level tower plus the 2 plant levels down into the Masonic Centre's podium (which of course it was inially designed to do back in the early 70s).

BTW Latitude's v-shaped beams are to support the southern overhang - these will also disappear from view (see Latitude's construction thread for renderings).</td></tr>
</table>

Since it seems that they have nearly put all the beams in (how many each side ?) how long would you say it will be now before they start to put on the concrete and there is a rise ?

It seems there may be 24 beams altogether - 3 x in each direction and 3 x 4 on the sides of those (keywords being "seems" & "may be").

In regard to your 2nd part question Steve W.T., as earlier mentioned in this thread by moi, it is supposed to take approx. 3 months to complete the diagonal transfer structure. I and I'm sure others are curious as to how the concrete will be poured around the beams and when this will happen; at this rate, very, very soon.

We are watching!

BTW Grocon are already claiming that there is already a rise in the tower .... and why not!?!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Looks like they haven't even started on the external works for the 3 month-long construction of the diagonal transfer structure. Until the concrete has finally cured on that, we probably won't see any real floorplates rise.

The square of green is where of course the core will be a-happenin'.

The Haymarket/Central carpark seems like a good perch for taking pics of the "Goulburn Street Follies" too.</td></tr>
</table>

Well if thats the case we have another 2 months of waiting to go before a rise.

I am surprised it will take 2 months because it looks as if they are well on the way to completing the beams.

What do you mean they are already claiming a rise ? Are they saying they have completed a floor ?

Perhaps it's a rise in the Core, not the pouring of a whole floor...

fro ... correct via Grocon's press release/s.
<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Looks like they haven't even started on the external works for the 3 month-long construction of the diagonal transfer structure. Until the concrete has finally cured on that, we probably won't see any real floorplates rise.

The square of green is where of course the core will be a-happenin'.

The Haymarket/Central carpark seems like a good perch for taking pics of the "Goulburn Street Follies" too.</td></tr>
</table>

Well if thats the case we have another 2 months of waiting to go before a rise.

I am surprised it will take 2 months because it looks as if they are well on the way to completing the beams.</td></tr>
</table>

Steve W.T., Im curious as to how you have calculated 2 months from now when the beams are part of the (approx.) 3 month duration. It is a waiting game for all of us. To be fair though, I did make a guesstimate earlier in this thread that we should start to see an actual floor plate rise at the very latest, mid April.

Like the questioning you had on Latitude's retail area about 2 1/2 months ago, I/We can only go by the multitude of P.R. material available (either hard copy material and/or via the internet), listening to other forumers, my/our own obsevations and of course, reading between the lines.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>fro ... correct via Grocon's press release/s.
<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Steve World Tower </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Looks like they haven't even started on the external works for the 3 month-long construction of the diagonal transfer structure. Until the concrete has finally cured on that, we probably won't see any real floorplates rise.






The square of green is where of course the core will be a-happenin'.

The Haymarket/Central carpark seems like a good perch for taking pics of the "Goulburn Street Follies" too.</td></tr>
</table>

Well if thats the case we have another 2 months of waiting to go before a rise.

I am surprised it will take 2 months because it looks as if they are well on the way to completing the beams.</td></tr>
</table>

Steve W.T., Im curious as to how you have calculated 2 months from now when the beams are part of the (approx.) 3 month duration. It is a waiting game for all of us. To be fair though, I did make a guesstimate earlier in this thread that we should start to see an actual floor plate rise at the very latest, mid April.

Like the questioning you had on Latitude's retail area about 2 1/2 months ago, I/We can only go by the multitude of P.R. material available (either hard copy material and/or via the internet), listening to other forumers, my/our own obsevations and of course, reading between the lines.</td></tr>
</table>You yourself estimated that it would take 3 months for the diagonal transfer structure and since they have been at it for about 1month now I assumed there would be another 2 months to go. So why are you now saying there will be a rise by the end of April ? And if this is true are you also saying that then it will progress at a good speed, I mean will they have passed the time consuming work after that ?

Say wha?

I myself didn't estimate 3 months for the completion of the diagonal transfer structure. FYI It states it in "Building Australia", the Nov/Dec '02 issue.

BTW On the 4/02 & page 3 of this thread I posted that there will possibly, repeat possibly be a floor rise mid-late April. This was a guesstimate at the time.

In regards to the (seemingly) speedy progress of the construction of the tower; a couple of us have already mentioned this (semingly) speedy progress in the thread.

I don't make up these things Steve. Stop being an armchair critic and please read my previous post and deeply understand it. Puhleeeease!

Suggestion: Start doing your own research on projects and share it with us i.e. all interested parties. We should try to work as a team.

I try to be objective as possible and answer your queries. To no avail?

Talk about deja-vu. We went through this about the retail areas for Latitude @ World Square.

by the sound of muse's post, im not the only one thinking SWT is a blonde :|


BTW just to give you an idea of how huge these beams are, one beam is equal to about two stories in overall height.

Just a Q, any idea on how they will actually lay the floor? concrete slaps??

Yes Noonos,

The tower's floorplates will be constructed by the Grocon-Lubeca perimeter and core self-climbing system. This won't require full perimeter scaffolding. Governor Phillip Tower was also constructed by using (a 10 year earlier version of) this system.

A Grocon-Lubeca jump form system is being used for Civic's core, and the priority is to climb this as quickly as possible (take note Blondey!).

lol

Well Museum is most definitely in the know. Of all the construction sites just starting it's good to have a different one that doesn't start way below ground. When this one reaches 20 levels + I am going to try and climb up the whole building just like I did with the Merchant Hotel.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Yes Noonos,

The tower's floorplates will be constructed by the Grocon-Lubeca perimeter and core self-climbing system. This won't require full perimeter scaffolding. Governor Phillip Tower was also constructed by using (a 10 year earlier version of) this system.

A Grocon-Lubeca jump form system is being used for Civic's core, and the priority is to climb this as quickly as possible (take note Blondey!).</td></tr>
</table>

Yeah, because GPT's core was extremely far ahead of the floorplates! Like the service core was basically topped out before the floorplates were even rising! Very interesting construction system indeed!

well this SHOULD be an interesting construction process! if i understand right, the core races ahead and the floorplates go relatively slower.....

The core looks like a rose petal with all those beams!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/189014.jpg

I've never really noticed this before, but despite the brutalist architecture of the Masonic Centre, it almost seems to have been designed with respect to the very excellent Civic Hotel next door to it!

I'm talking of course about the softening of the Masonic design with the curved corners, which is displayed really well in this picture of Culwulla's!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/189014.jpg

Ouwh, that's riiiiiiight. I never noticed that before either. Good one finn! That was no accident, it was planned!! Known as "visual logic" i.e. harmony with the rest of the streetscape.

This is NO dumb box architecture here. Clever Joseland Gilling - new hero! Never thought I would fall for such brutalist architecture!

Do Freemasons frequent pubs? ;)

*Must do research on Joseland Gilling.

...thanks CULS for pic update :) .

pic from todays Sydney meet!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/189601.jpg

Thats one big pic. Pretty good for 2x zoom.

It's not long to go before the first floorplates start appearing.

Already a lot of the blank wall of the Ibis Hotel World Square is disappearing.

It will be interesting to see how the concrete is poured on, around and under the beams.

definatelty!

WOW :eek: THATS ALOT of BEAMS!!

from today.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/191515.jpg

looking up Goulburn st.



http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/04/191516.jpg

bumped so as thread wont get deleted

View of crane appearing on skyline.

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/05/191780.jpg

Along with Lobana, W.T., E & Y @ Latitude & North, the Civic team were out in full force yesterday (a Saturday). In the past, they haven't been present on a Saturday :) .

LooKs like they are fast approaching the end of the beam work with all its bracing for the diagonal transfer. Just awaiting the first concrete pour around, in and above it :) .

in the background of culwulla's picture notice two
buildings? they're the two UNSW buildings, i think the taller one is 15 stories. also notice bathed iin sunlight a little closer is the parkland towers at kensington on anzac pde. its 13 stories tall, and is a f**king ugly concrete cancer ridden building

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Noonos </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>in the background of culwulla's picture notice two
buildings? they're the two UNSW buildings, i think the taller one is 15 stories. also notice bathed iin sunlight a little closer is the parkland towers at kensington on anzac pde. its 13 stories tall, and is a f**king ugly concrete cancer ridden building</td></tr>
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yeah, got em on ss.com! i have to take pix of them one day!

I was at UNSW last December right in the area but couldn't take a picture because it was bucketing down with rain.

Next month, I'll be attending an excursion for economics which is a series of talks at the Masonic Centre. I get to go inside. Some exclusive pictures will be coming plus one from the carpark hopefully.

ive been inside last year. its quite nice with timber pannelling and concrete shaped areas. the pray hall is beautiful. i reckon for early 70's its a great edifice!

Is there any works going on in the interior of the complex?

Words do just not describe the hideous look of this tower. A true abomination, is it me or do the owners even care about how aesthetics and how the age of building effects rentals.

I cannot believe the council wopuld let such a bunker through in the new millenium. Even the half guttered Hilton looks better than this design. Why when you are in the building stages of a tower would you build it 3 decades after its apparaent design... it aint even a good looking tower, with absolutely no redeeming or stand out features. They should cover it all in glass and at least make it look like a late 80's or 90's tower.

I am still in shock... sorry. :P

Gee Avatar, Governor Phillip Tower, Civic Tower (by render only) - What do you actually like?

I'm more interested in the structural engineering side of this building.

pic from today!
http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/05/193257.jpg

I can see the first level being laid. Thats great.

Where will the ground-level lift lobby be once this building is finished? Will it be where the banquet hall is currently, or elsewhere in the foyer that leads to the banquet hall?

sorry if this question has already been asked, but does anyone know whether this buildning is going to be reinforced concrete or steel framed?

I'm just guessing SYDDUDE but comparing it to Latitude I'd say steel framed. If it's concrete then the construction of highrises has amazed me even more, if that's possible.

would you believe reinforced concrete! Only the transfer beams above podium are steel. The engineers worked out they couldnt be concrete so they are steel,which will hold up the concrete frame and core! sweet!

thats pretty cool. It is a pretty unique tower afterall...

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031153896541997438378.jpg

Remind you of anyone
Just asking

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Trances </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031153896541997438378.jpg

Remind you of anyone
Just asking</td></tr>
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http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031153896541997438378.jpg

thank god Civic tower wont look like that! thats a HK shocker! to bulky, terrible facade treatment unlike Civic will have a sleek finish with rounded corners. that podium is terrible!
while civics is well proportioned.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Trances </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031153896541997438378.jpg

Remind you of anyone
Just asking</td></tr>
</table>
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031153896541997438378.jpg

thank god Civic tower wont look like that! thats a HK shocker! to bulky, terrible facade treatment unlike Civic will have a sleek finish with rounded corners. that podium is terrible!
while civics is well proportioned.</td></tr>
</table>
Cul, I don't know what you're saying. As if Civic ain't a shocker too. Sure, it's proportioned and sleek in a 70s kind of way ... and perhaps even a masterful 70s design, but it's still a 70's design. :D It's like an old 70s Ford/Holden. What is this...the Brady Bunch? :D

What's REALLY funny about that pic is that 2IFC looks like it's right next to it (but of course it isn't in real life)!

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by jcocks </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Where will the ground-level lift lobby be once this building is finished? Will it be where the banquet hall is currently, or elsewhere in the foyer that leads to the banquet hall?</td></tr>
</table>

I think existing lifts will be maintained. I think the tower will have it's own lobby.

I'll know next month when I go inside.

Hong Kong building= :puke:

Civic tower = :puke:

They are both revolting. We all know Blabby talks a lot of shit but he's right on the money here.

Oh MrTall, you are such a scallywag ;) & :nono: & :) !

I agree with you puking about the Hong Kong Building - puke-a-rama!

However, let's wait for Civic Tower to be completed as all we can go by are the renderings of it so far.

Anyway, it's all a matter of personal taste, isn't it?

In regard to Blabbyboy, I enjoy most of his posts and I think most of them are very insightful and positive. Love you Blabby :) & http://dj.comtv.ru/smales/smlove2.gif & :wave:.

Regards
mb

BTW spoke to Civic's project manager face-to-face the other day in his Civic Tower's office and here is what he said.

The concrete has already started being poured around the diagonal transfer structure (d.t.s.) including only inside some of the supporting beams.

It was right to say that the d.t.s. would take 3 months to complete - however due to holidays such as over Xmas/New Year and the Easter break and rains have added possibly over an extra month which takes the d.t.s. just over 4 months to complete.

Shouldn't take much longer now :)

Civic Yesterday

Could that be floorplates begining to appear?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/pca1a8236a9a72e89ddec4f4699f9c7bc/fc17f10d.jpg

no floor plates for a while yet! the base of of tower will still take a few months to reinforce. but the core will start up soon and litterally take off fom rest of construction.

The core will rise faster than the floorplates due to Grocon's use of the Lubeca jump system.

What is the Lubeca jump system?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>What is the Lubeca jump system?</td></tr>
</table>
good question

Come on guys, everyone knows what the Lubeca jump system is!


museumb ... care to explain?

some pics taken today

http://images3.fotki.com/v24/photos/2/22045/232274/masonic1-vi.jpg

http://images3.fotki.com/v25/photos/2/22045/232274/masonic2-vi.jpg

Looks like they are pouring the part that will support the tower.

Cant See the images had to turn off them off so I could keep the net ( I get charged per Mg)
Have to wait till I am there on Friday to see the changes at Civic

museumb you are on a roll lately! are you trying to usurp culwulla's information crown? thanks for the great info and congratulations on possessing the chutzpah to talk yourself into all these offices ..

hk

today!
progressing well!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126civic.jpg

pic from today!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/06/196426.jpg

The first floorplate is slowly taking shape isn't it?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>The first floorplate is slowly taking shape isn't it?</td></tr>
</table>
yeah this first 'base" slab will be a beauty! once this is poured the construction will excelerate somewhat!

There is a somewhat curious billboard around the base of the hoardings referring and comparing the original Joseland Gilling design of 1974 to sunglasses and flared jeans of the 70s.

Gee, I've seen sunglasses in 50s movies & magazines and flares (not jeans) were worn in the 1920s........:?

http://www.marquette.edu/img/sunglasses.jpg+http://www.efactorydeals.co.uk/acatalog/flared_jeans_sm.jpgapparently = CIVIC TOWER

:|

Yeah I've only noticed all that wood around the beams.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>There is a somewhat curious billboard around the base of the hoardings referring and comparing the original Joseland Gilling design of 1974 to sunglasses and flared jeans of the 70s.

Gee, I've seen sunglasses in 50s movies & magazines and flares (not jeans) were worn in the 1920s........:?

</td></tr>
</table>

If I see it tomorrow, I'll get a pic of it.

from2day!
didnt see sunglasses or jeans? only digital clock ect.but saw billboard about "1974 vision and 2004 reality"!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126civictowerfromcarpk.jpg

Oh, they're there. Down @ street level.

What time did you get these shots? I might of actually been inside attending the lectures at that time.

And I took a picture of work going on today at ground level (these will be posted later) and a person from Grocon was also taking pictures but they said they have a web page, but gave no link to me.

And yes I did see the sunglasses and jeans on the Castleraugh st side and they have been photographed too.

Civic from Ground level

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p0cba73b8b945150ae41584fe27622603/fbe7e090.jpg

Hoardings

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p0fde9b947b63038406068a51d9e24992/fbe7e07a.jpg

What museumb was talking about with the sunglasses and jeans

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pf1db137f846785e58656864d583c7a20/fbe7e065.jpg

Would you believe the Civic Tower construction workers were still working after it got dark yesterday evening until about 6.00PM. I couldn't believe it!

If that's the case, they will certainly be finishing this one on schedule!

Were any parts of the site lit with lights at that time?

I like it how they are embracing the 1970s design for this tower. IT really is comforting to see that at least someone is proud of this beauty... besides us of course...

Top pics guys, keep 'em coming...

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Would you believe the Civic Tower construction workers were still working after it got dark yesterday evening until about 6.00PM. I couldn't believe it!

If that's the case, they will certainly be finishing this one on schedule!</td></tr>
</table>
youll find if they have poured concrete or have to weld some large pieces of steel beams they have to complete the job due to obvious resons with concrete and safety issues with the steel framing!
but it sounds like they going great guns!!

:guns1:

Dont know I i said this already about this tower
But I remeber when I was a kid my grandma would take me to this tower and tell me it was not finsihed yet and that it was ment to have another tower ontop on the center. Was talking to her ( dont see her often now) on the weekend and she was happy to hear about this !
So yes there are a lot of people that have waited a long time.

You should see your grandma more often. And I've never seen a pair of flares, or any clothing, on a building sign. Is this building so ugly that they advertise a pair of flares for it. Next thing you know all the construction workers will be sixty years old.

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<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Fabian </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Were any parts of the site lit with lights at that time?</td></tr>
</table>
Not that I could see. That's why I was so surprised. There were probably torch helmuts on the workers noggins.

Thats not good. They need more light than that. It could be a possible health and safety occupational issue.

Civics core is set to rise within weeks. IVY tower is Uc at top.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126masonicjuly3.jpg

That was a good shot. It shows us what we cannot see from street level or from the carpark.

views from today!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126masonicupgoulburnst.jpg

close up of steel rio which will rise full height of bldg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126masonicrio.jpg


from roof of museum towers. wow

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/509/126masonicfrommuseumtw.jpg

I love that Aerial of the site. Good to see the core taking shape

I was also in the area today and managed only this

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p334b3109649bd70c5f3e174b58b21d92/fbb8b439.jpg

Wow CULWULLA, great shots! Love the last 2 showing the workers wasting no time.

The one taken from the top of Museum Towers is breathtaking and North is looking so 'peachy-keen' white ;)

I can't wait to see this 1974 icon completed 30 years after its podium was completed. Yipeeeeee Both the building and I will celebrate our birthdays together next year!

Civic Tower yesterday

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/pe3df931e3afc0f0681cfe4b7cf035b4f/fba694b4.jpg

WOW, how unusual is the column layout compared with most new buildings. :eek:

They're more like mullions!

Brilliant pics. That one by Cul looking down onto the site! EEEEEEEEE! I had to grab the desk to stop me falling down! HA!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid70/p3e3d2356000492c6a5bed8b5246df706/fba05c37.jpg
This will be my main spot. You can imagine how small that building in front will look when it's complete.

Excellent Choice. It will look huge and will look very dominating from that angle.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pf50cffe363bb4b88711285cfb13d758c/fb9b2f10.jpg
Here's another angle proudly sponsored by the crane man.

I like that view from Pitt St. It looks very big. It will be interesting to see how huge it will be from there.

Civic tower will rise 132m high! this doesnt sound that tall for Sydney but its equalivalent to Adelaides tallest!!! or taller than any bldg in Parramatta, darwin, NEQ! ect. Its also only 7m shorter than Surfers tallest-Grand mariner or Skyline Tower!
just a thought!http://skyscrapercity.com./images/smilies/wink.gif

Quality rather then quantity. We should always demand quality over anything else. Even if it means reducing the height of a tower to get something that is better designed.

from 2Day!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/07/205314.jpg

I spy with my little eye....a core box taking shape.

the floor plate is now exposed at rear. You can see the concreted finish!

http://www.skyscrapers.com/files/transfer/6/2003/07/207081.jpg

excellent

Thats looking good, not to mention how huge the tower is going to look.

Pics taken today @ 3.30PM of Civcic Tower's construction showing the new core box from atop of the Gouldburn St carpark - from now the only way is up ^^^!!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3036/379civictower1-med.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3036/379civictower2_-med.jpg

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3036/379civictower3-med.jpg