time to start the sequal of this great trilogy!
the 1st part can be seen here>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=27638&page=21&pp=25

go Kens

I'll repost yesterdays update + pics

Core Rise - level 5 Exposed!!!

Thats what the marking that the core had following the latest rise. They must of decided to count levels from the Kent Street side.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/p79515dd9d348626721a2791bec026856/f787961a.jpg

Also, the floorplates for the first of the podium levels is now starting to appear. It should be laid over the next week.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/pa944f3fa1ed38cace8d3871873fb8f66/f787960c.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/p18c3720fc19dc22abba118963436af3a/f78795e2.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid133/p3891ea026d031808007f75b67b9b0fd3/f78795f6.jpg

fabian, i told you the "official" floor numbering starts from kent st, but this doesnt mean its right. The height of KENS is taken from Sussex st which is 9m/ or 3 levels lower, so its now 8 levels exposed and 9 in corebox.


starting to show from Darling harbour

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kenscoreaug11.jpg

Today

Floorplates continue to be laid for the ground level.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid134/pe3ddfd6e00eab9ec7ac74b75c1ddbd56/f76f34af.jpg

this has to be the worst labelled core in Australia!
it says lev5 under corebox but there are 3 levels not labelled between 3-5. and 3 is actually 6 above sussex, so lev5 is actually lev10 and corebox is level11!! lol
you can see the levels on core face if you look hard. the floor plate is 1 and there are 9 above it.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126kenscoreaug17-med.jpg

core rise!
levl6 exposed or lev10 in corebox or 45m above sussex street!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/KENSL6.jpg

Wow @ 45m above a street, it's already a scraper.

Looking good. I work nearby so I'll be keeping a close eye on it!

View from Sydney Tower today

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid136/p28897a728abb968bb135c471adcb57ed/f7568ea5.jpg

The view today from No 1 Margaret Street

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/p167f31d0103f7cfd1723e51f64f9c4e5/f740a662.jpg

Core Rise!!! Level 7 Exposed!!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid138/p2022e88fae71a5435aa2bf6614bc509e/f727d994.jpg

But is it really 7 or is it actually 12? re CULWULLA's comments on 17 August.

But is it really 7 or is it actually 12? re CULWULLA's comments on 17 August.

I'll stick to the "official markings" to avoid confusion but based on Cul's system it's at level 12 (exposed) and level 13 inside the corebox.

its 12st above sussex st muse. not only is sussex st 3 levels below kent, but there are 2 levels in core that have no level number due to being plant. very confusing indeed.
thats why its 50m high!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kenssept6acrossrd.jpg

Core Rise!!! Level 13 Exposed
I hope I got it right

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid139/p92e08a6d214cd46f30cd3b2030402e19/f70f1d92.jpg

Latest progress on floorplates. The next level is starting go up

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid139/p2cca0e1b5c0c929a1a7b6e4e5752fa96/f70f1db5.jpg

view from THH roof. could only get reflection lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensreflection.jpg

You can just spot the the scaffholding for the floorplates of the base at the bottom of the shot.

good work there !

Today from Sydney Tower

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid139/p77dd05ae524fa4dc652c2310054ca189/f6f9c549.jpg

This thing is mammoth. There must come a point when building such a large floorplate just isn't economical, due to the size of the core that you'd need.

I'm sure there is, but they wouldn't be building this one right now if it wasn't economical! Besides, it's only the bottom floors (crappy views, cheaper rents) that cop the massive core as the further you go up the smaller the core gets.

Smokin bro'

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/pb06ba14f2b19a22b7121325b96f37dad/f6e13468.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p862b5ea4794bfda39f529bc11c07a7d4/f6e13596.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p57379ecab11aabae71ed49762d8313c3/f6e13659.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p82e985a41f0b8ebafd952b4598f04d9e/f6e13938.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/pe00926b90fc5c57cc9feb42e6842237b/f6e13837.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p564346ba1c5f661db80be06edacac82c/f6e13aac.jpg

LEVEL 10 in box or 14 above sussex st or 55m high!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p3efd48aef1d9adcd1222d231ba676373/f6de2197.jpg

is that the biggest floor plate yourve ever seen??

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid140/p369ada2a1f53902c52c33b29c05c6ebc/f6de1e2d.jpg

i bet most people think this is the podium being built? little do they realise its the tower and will rise 40 storeys straight up!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensbasesep27.jpg

Lol at Podium comment. Yeah, was out down past this site last riday night celebrating a friend's birthday. Man, this is massive. I just can't imagine how massive it will be standing under the overpass and looking up to the beacon. A real cool tower...

Nice pics of the floorplates/core. Cool angle in that pic above Cul!

I keep think that its the actual building rising and then realise its just the core!!!!!!! Im sure im not the only one tho ;) Yep this is HUGE, we need more of these, maybe in stone with stepped roofs?? How much would one of those baby's cost shipped from NY??
Glad to see that Syd is *soon* to have a American Size scraper.... just thinking CUL what the size in comparison to say the sears or ESB????

KENS measures 62m x 80m. Sears measures 68m x 68m. so KENS is definately a HUGE skyscrapers!

Awe-inspiring core, still can't get over how big this is, just a massive hulk of concrete. Cool.

I still don't get the numbering though- what is the big gap between 3 and 5 for? I'm guessing this is where the lobby might be, but it does seem a little high above the street?

Thanks for the updates btw...excellent pics Culwulla and climbing_crane Cheers

Awe-inspiring core, still can't get over how big this is, just a massive hulk of concrete. Cool.

I still don't get the numbering though- what is the big gap between 3 and 5 for? I'm guessing this is where the lobby might be, but it does seem a little high above the street?

Thanks for the updates btw...excellent pics Culwulla and climbing_crane Cheers
a massive plantroom is loccated between levels3-5. unusual for a large office tower being so low down the bldg. but its a BIG bldg. theres also another large plantroom located on the top floor.

KENS measures 62m x 80m. Sears measures 68m x 68m. so KENS is definately a HUGE skyscrapers!

I had no idea Sears was so big! Must be truly impressive.

Size Does Matter!!

I had no idea Sears was so big! Must be truly impressive.

Im actually suprised the Kens is comparable to sears, i mean imagine building this building then adding world tower on top and still not able to reach the top of the sears!!! Goes to show that this is one HUGE (and stumpy) muma!!! And also shows that if this had US ratio's and zoning we could get something equivalent to the former world's tallest i.e only beaten by 101 not those cheater spires ;) YOU KNOW IT!! Amazing to have such bulk in ol' Syd. I guess we are playing with the big boys now :)

If you have seen before a good reminder , if you haven't enjoy ! :)

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LPPL_KENS.jpg

I am SOOOOOOO proud that KENS is wider than Sears and only one third its height..........great stuff Sydney !!!!!!

do you guys think that the size of the floorplates be one of the top10 in the world (considering skyscapers only)

not seen that render
looks great

I have my reservations about what this building will do for the skyline, but that render certainly relieves some of my anxieties.

the 30m high weather beacon on top will be a standout feature! it wont look like the render. similar but more colours and will light up bright at night! nearly 170m above sea level!

I am SOOOOOOO proud that KENS is wider than Sears and only one third its height..........great stuff Sydney !!!!!!

How about making KENS slimmer than Sears tower, but taller? Now that would be refreshingly original for Sydney.

the north end podium structure is well on the way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensoct16.jpg

That render is cool but looks WAAAAYYYY too short..(?) At its height it 'dwarfs' its nearest neighbours.

EDIT: was right look at this pic Fab took of the model (sorry fab your link)

http://img8.photobucket.com/albums/v28/Fabian/P7220063.jpg

levl 10 exposed now!

That render is cool but looks WAAAAYYYY too short..(?) At its height it 'dwarfs' its nearest neighbours.Sure is lol. Thanks for finding a more suitable "impression".

Brought the image over for scroll-comparison. From the source itself, Leighton.

:)

http://www.leighton.com.au/Images/uploaded//LPPL_KENS.jpg

today http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kenscoreoct12.jpg

this has to be slowest moving core in oz. probably due to its size?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid143/p32f93dd0fe3f0691e3acf56538fa3235/f6934e3d.jpg

I drove by this during the school holidays when i was down in Sydney, and jeebes.
It took my breath away when driving into the city. I CANT WAIT for this one to be complete, it will be phenominal.

Wow - meshing as far as the eye can see....

this has to be slowest moving core in oz. probably due to its size?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid143/p32f93dd0fe3f0691e3acf56538fa3235/f6934e3d.jpg

LEVEL 11 EXPOSED OR leve14 above Sussex. also 62m above grd.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126KENS11.jpg
smaller vers-

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p34885b20f1da4ec2bc69b3dee06c77c8/f6844a38.jpg

Go Leighton. After Grocon and Multiplex, Leighton comes in 3rd (or would it be Bovis - Lend Lease?).

It is definitely progressing at a good rate.

Yep, Muse they're a quality builder. And also they're moving relatively fast on this one. They must be employing heaps of people of this site juding by the rate the floorplates/core are rising.

I just realised that the Podium is so huge that it has it's own dedicated tower crane.

today
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126kensnov1top.jpg
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126kensnov1.jpg

Some recent pix by me

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/pd6b447de37fca59ff9eaf8e3105e977d/f681c50d.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p6bea35559cc9e2f2ce2eb3c5b8c3992c/f681c4f9.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/p900e430b6f0a9d764a641c80948c3934/f66ab8ad.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/pffc8cbc79614c1a0543f419bff6f745c/f66ab909.jpg

And the first cladding has appeared too as seen by the appearance of cream coloured panels.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid145/pe65a00b6eb316494a5926f9fbec51f0e/f66ab8d2.jpg

She's massive mate f^&ken massive.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid144/p7f651675ec30542a44500b0920f4818c/f6772900.jpg

The tower crane at the Northern end of the side which was working on the podium has be taken down.

a section96 is coming soon. this means there are some various changes to design but very minimal. As part of the DA application, the model will have to be altered to show these changes. ATm there just minor changes to ground level and podium.Ive seen some towers drawings and so far looks the same but has a large W on top western face.W for Westpac.

LEVEL 12 EXPOSED!!!
for those who havent visited KENS yet! you should. Its the most massive construction of a tower ive ever seen!!!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126kensfromkentnov10.JPG

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126kensfromnorth.JPG

I just walked past there 20mins ago on my way back from lunch...you must have been in the near vicinity Cul! :)

lol, i go for an hours walk most lunch times and i went past about 12;30.

This tower is going to be some sight! Most ppl bag it out because it isnt as tall as it could be, but for me buildings are more than just height. It will be amazing to have this type of tower in the portfolio of Sydney and ultimately in OZ. Great shots cul! This is starting to take some shape.

its height of 140m to roof and 170m to weather beacon isnt nothing to be sneezed at. but i look at it like this. Its in a 80m height zone, so i reckon its a pretty good outcome!

its height of 140m to roof and 170m to weather beacon isnt nothing to be sneezed at. but i look at it like this. Its in a 80m height zone, so i reckon its a pretty good outcome!Gee, has the beacon had its size increased by 5m? ss.com lists the height as being 165m (although skyscraperpage.com lists it as 166m).

Or was it always going to be 170m to top of beacon?

160m, 165m, 166m 170m wot eva~!
you know what i mean.lol

Yesterday I saw that the core box of the smaller core was either being taken down completely or it was being reonfigured significantly.

CORE RISE LEV13!!!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p99ef6a99f42602e7253bec9641b93633/f63bd2aa.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensnov17.jpg

And more good news. I've seen signs placed just inside the entrance to the new parking station with times and prices etc meaning it's not far off from opening to the public.

Also for those who want to grab a good view of the tower as it rises should go a further two blocks down Erskine Street to the site of the yet to be built Dupain. It looks great from out there.

when i stood across the road cnr Kent/erskine the other day, i heard some people talking about KENS. they were looking at it and couldnt believe its size. it truly will be a landmark tower.

It looks ridiculously huge when viewed down Sussex Street because the podium structure is so loooooong, stretching down the whole block!

It looks ridiculously huge when viewed down Sussex Street because the podium structure is so loooooong, stretching down the whole block!
the podium structure stretches 140m in length!!! thats actually its height to roof . amaxing

160m, 165m, 166m 170m wot eva~!
you know what i mean.lolhttp://www2.incredimail.com/contents/animations/smiley_faces/smiley_scared_thumb.gif

Shock! I was being serious. That's very unlike you....you must've had a couple of beers, Mr Sassy-pants.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensnov22.jpg

^^ looks awesome from that angle Cul!!! Like some sort of massive alien spacecraft ready for takeoff. It's unfathomable to think of how MASSIVE it will look from this angle once complete!! Egads!

Massive core, massive floorplates... just f&*king massive!!! :D

how much bigger than Bris Square are the floor plates?

i think brissy square have 70mx35m floors? ill recheck.
KENS measures 80mx 60m.

http://img92.exs.cx/img92/2481/kensnov22.jpg

^ Not much done since last week? Still a top angle to shoot from... :D

I suppose we should be getting used to that, now with Christmas and the new years coming up, most sites will be non-active for at least 1 week...

LEVEL 14 EXPOSED!! the corebox is now up to lev15 transfer floor. its also 73m above sussex st.so approx half way to roof.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/IMGP3329.jpg

Thank god I'm a country boy

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p0818ef732476915830a383c723b43eaf/f6313256.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p8695125c7fc2aac4b5d68a06d1e4b8a9/f6313252.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/peaab52f5bd915046c5ef2830ff8874c0/f631324e.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p7a84763ffd85e65bc502b68c17868b8c/f6313248.jpg

level 15 exposed!

When you drive over the Habour Bridge you get a great view of some massive AC plant being installed on the roof of the podium.

HUGE!!
http://img83.exs.cx/img83/1884/imgp33937cf.jpg

I took some new shots on Friday and the tower at this early stage is already looking massive and were not even a quarter of the way up :)!!!!

The underground carpark is now open as well.

the core is higher than that

level 16 exposed!!! looking massive.
looking at plans- its now 20 above sussex st in core, or 81m tall.

http://img84.exs.cx/img84/8009/kenscorelev160jb.jpg
im finding hard to fit in photo now.

stich job. it really is BIG

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/KENSStitch.jpg

The core looks really big for the size of the floorplates.

the core measures 40mx20m. each floor measures 80mx20m. pretty floors i reckon!
so KENS is 60m thick!

the core measures 40mx20m. each floor measures 80mx20m. pretty floors i reckon!
so KENS is 60m thick!
fuck thats a big core

Check out the latest uncovered floorplate.

https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/12/327661.jpg https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/12/327659.jpg

Construction Workers were on the job today.

Yep, the site was in full swing today http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/wub.gif

Looked like an undercoat on the base...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/kens1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/kens2.jpg

thats the biggest core iv seen

^^ We once worked out that the KENS Core alone was almost as big as the entire Meriton Rialto Tower.

If anyone walks or drives past it, check out the angles on the podium viewed from Kent Street- it's got the real wedge look as seen in the renders.

By the end of the year, should be nice!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/KENS3.jpg

...

Awesome pic Muse that really puts this building in context with it's surrounds.

My only concern with this one is that it will hide a lot of the buildings behind it (including aussie square). Any idea of how far it will go up to on that pic?

^ in that pic the 140m bulk of KENS will rise to approx height of APPT. then theres the 30m beacon.

@ Muse -That is the best pic of the site in this entire thread, looks great.. BTW MrTall it would only hide it from Darling harbour, im sure it wouldn't hide it in terms of skyline from that side..
Once again great pic Muse...

Thats an excellent shot from the Maratime Museum. Imagine how much of a beast it will be on the skyline when done.

Australia Sq sure will be swamped from darling Harbour view.KENS is over 80m wide and extends to nearly 150mRL, so its impact on skyline will be tremendous! Its 30m weather beacon will scrape sky at 170m so that should dominate the western precinct.

LEVEL 17 EXPOSED!!
top of core box 85m high.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensjan17.jpg

render as requested muse>

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kenskentst.jpg

im going to try and get this view this week or next.. im going on roof of Maritime Centre. should give a good indication of its progress compared to render.
http://www.jbaplanning.com.au/images/pic_kens.jpg

So the actually building proper has about 32-33 levels, with the lantern feature taking it up to 40?

^ KENS consists of 33 levels above kent st or 35 above Sussex st (this is where height is taken from). the lantern has no actual floors in it. maybe some working platforms ect.

view from veritas Tower today
looks awesome up there

sorry for blur.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensbestjan20rooftop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/kensclosejan20.jpg

^^ That lovely south facing view will be gone when KENS is done. Your pcitures do highlight something that amazing me every time I drive on the Harbour Bridge approach - the double height floor next to the overpass - it's LARGE!

No need to apologise for the blur CULS. Nice ones!! :)

It's interesting how ATM the wedged-shaped base on Kent @ the northern side is being constructed seperately;
....covered in mesh in the first pic post above.

It's also visible by the pic posted by CULWULLA on 17 Jan @ the top of this page ie the wedge covered in mesh.

I took this from King St Wharf yesterday. It's the best place to go for shots

http://img33.exs.cx/img33/1462/fabiansphotos610small7ol.jpg

Just an observation - it's interesting to see the position of the core in relation to the floor plates. Notice that the core is virtually exposed on the north and south sides for the height of the tower, and then the two sets of floor plates connect the the core on only one side. This makes the floor plates open and columnless and the core itself is hence not so much a central core, but one that is external and sits to the side of each floor plate.

It's almost like two 126 Phillip Street's sharing the same external core if you get my drift.

^^ I stand corrected, I drove past KENS today and there are a line of internal columns.

KENS is basically TWO towers joined at the centre by a common service core. Thats how big it is. Normally office towers with nearly 80,000sqm of space are 40-50storeys tall, but KENS is only 33.Its lower floors are massive to say the least with 4,000sqm each floor (double Grosvenor place floors). then lower floors are 3,000sqm and top are 2,000sqm.

the weather becon on top ...how does it work? does it sence the temp,etc or does someone control it?

^ not sure yet. it will have sensors and change colours with impending weather patterns. the 30m tower should be a real beacon on the western fringe

just like a mood ring..... when you find out can you tell what colour means what please cull?

KENS is basically TWO towers joined at the centre by a common service core. Thats how big it is. Normally office towers with nearly 80,000sqm of space are 40-50storeys tall, but KENS is only 33.Its lower floors are massive to say the least with 4,000sqm each floor (double Grosvenor place floors). then lower floors are 3,000sqm and top are 2,000sqm.


massive, bet the top few floors where snapped up fast!
bet it makes the developers sad what a killing in an imaginary world that they could not have had another 5 -10 stories on the top. although i'm sure chifley, mlc, etc are happy!

answered my own question, most businesses did not get a chance to buy floor space or anything, building is suppose to be mostly westpac.

There has been another core rise - level 18 exposed, 19 in the box.

KENS at its most fearsome.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p97db7701c75897bab8d83cd21d330a88/f54d3af4.jpg

There has been another core rise - level 18 exposed, 19 in the box.
that means 89m above Sussex st or pretty close 300ft.doesnt look 300ft, probably due to being so large.

I saw this from the spagetti road and it looks great from there.You can tell how tall it will seem compared to its surroundings. It will really add to the darling harbour skyline.
This tower is so big im betting mama jokes are going to spawn from it. "Your mama is so fat, that when she stands still ppl think shes KENS" (yes i should take my act on the road :))

This tower is so big im betting mama jokes are going to spawn from it. "Your mama is so fat, that when she stands still ppl think shes KENS" (yes i should take my act on the road :))
Boom-tish. You wacky-zaney. :nuts: Stick to your day job.

I wanna see some juicey cladding appear.

today

http://img162.exs.cx/img162/9475/kensfeb18wu.jpg

http://img162.exs.cx/img162/5998/kensharbourfeb13io.jpg

Thanks CULWULLA...

Woe is me, no cladding as yet. :no: Not even a glass panel.

Hey, what's that "extraordinary" Leftbank apartments by Australand next to KPMG? No office building anymore.

thats the group of 3 x 15storey apartment towers. i think are next to KPMG is just across from it.not sure of its status.?

Muse, I did notice some of the "undulating" sandstone blocks on the podium a per the render in the south-western while coming over the western distributor last week. That's the closest thing to cladding we have right now.

there are some glass windows up on the north west base. muse

The core looks Gigantic!!

Muse, I did notice some of the "undulating" sandstone blocks on the podium a per the render in the south-western while coming over the western distributor last week. That's the closest thing to cladding we have right now.

Sorry boys, but you guys need to take a closer look.

Indeed their is glass cladding on the corner of Sussex and Napolean Streets. (north-eastern corner)

Its already up to the second level.

I just went for a wonder around now, ahead of the rain and I hust noticed it.

Its a very dark glass and its now making its presence on the Sussex Street side.

THERE IS NOW GLASS CLADDING ON KENS !!!!!!!! :)

Sorry boys, but you guys need to take a closer look.
http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/sleep.gif

noticed the cladding to as i walk past it on way to work towards wynard

yeah i saw some the other day. also on sussex st tower theres sandstone clad with dark columns, very nice!!

Has anyone gotten a picture of this cladding?? I'd love to see it!!! :D

ill try and get some today

yes fro i do but i cant remember where i put my disc.....

does anyone wanna see glass??
beautiful black !

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/2503/kenscladfront2bp.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p58f3dfa5d2085d53bce0b6a97496ae7a/f5403fa8.jpg


guys adding more glass

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/pd135076c90189516f1533bb35f9aa131/f5404330.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid156/p5aec439b9683a14857285eb44bb1e9f6/f5403fa2.jpg

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/255/kensfromshelley9ps.jpg

in that last picture cull see the coloured stuff on the underside of the high way why was that put there and will it be put anywhere else?

Looks permanent.

Thanks CULWULLA. Glass seems sheer.

Those coloured panels and the "bullnose" treatment of the overpass were completed last year when the extra northbound bridge-approach lane was completed.

That glass looks superb - very very reflective!

Looks permanent.

Thanks CULWULLA. Glass seems sheer.

in that last picture cull see the coloured stuff on the underside of the high way why was that put there and will it be put anywhere else?

Are more aparments to be built on the other side of KENS?? the ad seems to indicate so.

seems like a splash of colour similar to the freeways of melbourne

yeh zulu69 there are but there short typical carco bar area appartments.

Leightons went "halvies" with RTA on sprucing up the underside of the flyover because it looked ugly and it was right infront of KENS! So they added colour and also ,as gazmo said a lane was added last year.
leightons originally wanted the "dead end" ramp which is right infront of KENS podium to have these giant holes punched through the unused 100m section like swiss cheese. but it might of weekened the structure so it was shelved.
Just think, KENS will be virtually hidden in 10 years when the 200m+ towers of King st wharf north get developed!

REALY CULL are they got building 200m going up there? they should do that to the entire high way

Big News! I've spotted some glass on the tower itself!!!

It was being fixed into place this afternoon on the western face - you can see it from the Bridge Approach.

It's very very black!! Looks very business suit cool.

^ yes Sydney is finally getting some nice black glass scrapers, the other being BT Tower. KENS should have a nice black tower to Kent st, grey core and white Sussex st tower. should be reallly nice.

Don't forget the Travelex (ex Citi Bank) tower that's nearby - it has black glass on 4 sides.

http://img33.exs.cx/img33/1462/fabiansphotos610small7ol.jpg

If you go to that same position tomorrow (weather permitting), you should see the new glass.

(credit fabian for the pic)

and the multha building that black too. oh and NAB (little hexagon)

i should have said "recent black scrapers" .lol like post 1995. Sydney hasnt had any black blgs. The only one i can think of would be meritons-Rialto.

This morning when I drove past KENS, in the morning light and at a better angle, I noticed that there is a row of very black glass but the one above it as a slightly more silverly almost metalic grey finish. The renders on page 6 do clearly show what looks like darker and light glass. Perhaps this is it.

i hope that telstra building next door gets replaced or just nocked down.

Looks like more glass has been placed. Should look great along side the maritime towers. Avatar would Orgasm in that part of the cbd :P

starting to imact on skyline
http://img228.exs.cx/img228/9155/kensfromthh1ur.jpg

You guys should check out some of the angles of the structure coming up on the Napolean/Kent Street corner ......

CORE RISE!! LEVEL 20 EX

http://img168.exs.cx/img168/4033/kensfrombridge1ih.jpg

http://img103.exs.cx/img103/9945/kensfromsussex4oa.jpg

http://img103.exs.cx/img103/9210/kensfromlime0fe.jpg

Fab pics Cul.

The 2nd pic shows the two different glass glazing shades I was mentioning earlier.

They're excellent shots. Looking at them now, it's starting to look more prominent in this part of town and big!!!. It's going to be a tough challenge getting great shots and fitting it all in!!!!

The cladding itself is very good so far. The black glass looks so sexy. :) I know one forumer who is going to love this ;)

The black glass looks so sexy. :) Fabian's awakening. http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

I know one forumer who is going to love this ;)
He would never post that though - he only posts endless 'n repetitive negativities. :|

Yes, it's starting to look massive. Can't imagine 3 x plus the floorplates!!! http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

He would never post that though - he only posts endless 'n repetitive negativities. :|

http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif

I'm pretty sure theyre in a state of denial.

Awesome pics guys!!! Amazing... finally, we have a true black glassed tower after such a long wait... I was wondering if people had to choose between KENS and 126 Philip, which one they would pick as being their favourite.

KENS would get my vote ;)

i have a perfect view of this building from my work!

Another row was glazing on the western side of the tower was being installed - as was a row on the southern side.

Also of note is a definate horizontal ridge or rib installed between the rows of glazing that's featured in the renders. It's dark grey in colour, but I'm not sure if this is just a protective cover.

I've uploaded my shots of KENS for this month to SS.com
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/pc/?id=140694&aid=19&sro=1&yr=2005&mt=2

I have to say it's getting a bit difficult getting decent shots from close up because the building is now so huge!!!! Next month poses a greater challenge.

^ Excellent collection there Fabian (along with CULWULLA's) on emporis.com . A few more pics using your Sydney Tower membership from its obervation deck posted in this thread wouldn't go astray mister. :)

i have a perfect view of this building from my work!Well, get your finger out and take some pics with your camera.

A few more pics using your Sydney Tower membership from its obervation deck posted in this thread wouldn't go astray mister. :)


I go up there monthly, so that shouldn't be a problem. The Sydney Tower photo's I took this month are towards the back of the complication if you haven't already had a look.

i will muse ...will hopefully be up on monday

its amazing how all of your photos got through fab? all of them are dark with grey sky. you should wait for a nice day like i did. lol

its amazing how all of your photos got through fab? all of them are dark with grey sky. you should wait for a nice day like i did. lol

I've had alot on lately and it was unfortunate the weather wasn't the best on the day. The weather doesn't bother me when it comes to construction photo's. I'm just happy that I'm able to get them.

^ agree but maybe there being friendlier now. up until last year any with clouds were rejected but now there seem to be ok.i have no probs with clouds. stiff poo. as long as the bldg is clear!
good stuff

Hey guys, what's going on with the core at the moment? I can gather it's being reconfigured, but from all appearances, it looks to be getting mighty smaller. Can someone clarify the exact situation? Cheers! :)

Yeap, I was going to write the same thing - as I drove into the city this morning from the west, I noticed that the core-box for the northern half of the core was removed.

Perhaps the core is about to slim down?

yeah the highrise section has been reached.The lowrise section is 100m high which is the Sussex st tower. so the core will reduce somewhat.

The northern "wedge" of the podium was glazed today. Super reflective dark mirrored glass!

its gonna have the most amazing podium.cant wait for completion so we can walk in and around the tower.

Can i get a WOOP WOOP?

http://img218.exs.cx/img218/9325/imgp40055yg.jpg

http://img28.exs.cx/img28/4042/imgp40061un.jpg

So the core of the lower western side has topped out.

I just checked out plans and the basic core has been 36m long x 18m deep.
Now for highrise section the core will reduce to 29m long x 13m wide. but part of the southern part of core will stay at 18m wide.

so is the other core already being built? im a bit confused now

yes the core is there. its the eastern half of core. heres a diagram showing lowrise core and highrise core. highrise is darker colour.

http://img221.exs.cx/img221/5787/kenscore1gz.jpg

oh ok have any other buildings have this core plan style?

nope. KENS is unique that the core sits between two floor plates.

thats so cool what will the core be cladded in?

^ some type of black cladding.
today
http://img174.exs.cx/img174/5517/kensmarch86ml.jpg

I walk past that section often and it really is impressive standing beneath the angles

spot me.lol
http://img131.exs.cx/img131/9389/imgp40638qr.jpg

wow, that's freaking awesome... is there anything like this in Sydney right now?? top pics as usual, Cul!!

This dam Building....!!!! every time they put a glass panel up they flash me with the refection it goes right in to my window which is next the starcity!

Whoah! That's going to cause some accidents for sure! :)

Looking very reflecty. Noice!

Excellent pics Cul!

That is absolutely insane...
Im so confused as to what it will look like when its finished now!

Wow...

The core is now clearly visible from Glebe Point Rd.

view from monorail station today

http://img232.exs.cx/img232/5551/kensfrommonrail2th.jpg

http://img53.exs.cx/img53/6885/kensfrombridge8tc.jpg

taking pictures in like 20 mins will be posted later tonight

how high will this tower be, and can you point this out in one of the photos above?

looking at the size of the floors already in place this is going to look big once it gets above the streetscape!

This one is turning out to be a real treat. Its freaky driving on the viadact next to the building, the corner of of the building seriously like 1 metre away.

its 100m high atm. so another 40m above core or 10storeys.maybe halfway up crane in my first pic from today. then the 30m weather beacon which will be a real landmark!
reaching 170m.

heres a quick scale diagram showing Kens current height and planned against other talls.
its 80m width really is the focal point. its going to be a huge black mass on western skyline.
all heights are AHD.

http://img232.exs.cx/img232/2738/westernskyline9bj.jpg

view from my work today
http://i158.exs.cx/img158/94/img22366ac.jpg
close and personals
http://i158.exs.cx/img158/3171/img22395rf.jpg
http://i158.exs.cx/img158/1830/img22406go.jpg

great pix pete. that black looks so sleek. as syddude mentioned, the corner of KENS is only 1metre from flyover!! imagine being in that office with only metre away from traffic wizzing past?? what a h00t.

preetttty cool

great pix pete. that black looks so sleek. as syddude mentioned, the corner of KENS is only 1metre from flyover!! imagine being in that office with only metre away from traffic wizzing past?? what a h00t.

that would be amazing...
BUT imagine driving ON the western distributor in 20-25 years when the Stevadores sight has 300m buildings :eek2:

it would be like driving into a canon

that office space is right in the area next to the road ?
Might be some noise ?

It's not office space at that level.

I routinely drive over the habour bridge and have been keeping an eye on this one.

As you drive south-bound off the bridge, you can see right into this floor and see what they are going with it. The floor that's level and closest to the flyover is actually a double-height floor and has been getting extensive amounts plant equipment installed within it for the last week or so.

So the designers have placed a noisy floor next to a noisy road - smart!

that office space is right in the area next to the road ?
Might be some noise ?

even the floor above or next couple will still be very close to flyover. it wont be noisy due to the sound proof glass but should be great to watch motorists power past.

gazmo.

Are you able to see the rhomboid base from the flyover? I imagine so as from street level it looks higher than the flyover walls.

Great pics there Pierre Maloné

Sure can Muse, the sandstone blocks can be seen though only briefly - and then you have to be in the left lane and letting your eyes drift from the road.

The podium is very promient though, as you can see the podium's roof line and the cooling towers which are at eye level and then you rise slightly above them.

When you're stuck in traffic going north in the morning peak, you can stop and stare but you're not as close as there's the south bound lanes between you and the building.

gazmo.

Are you able to see the rhomboid base from the flyover? I imagine so as from street level it looks higher than the flyover walls.

Great pics there Pierre Maloné

loving the gl00my glass on a gl00my day!

http://i153.exs.cx/img153/3163/kensgloomy7kq.jpg

One thing you only just see from that photo is that the glass overlaps the tower slightly.

When I was driving southbound from the bridge yesterday you practically drive directly towards the tower before curving to the right - KENS is *massive* from this veiw and the glass rhomboid podium has a "bar mirror" effect, you can see the street and the ground at the base of KENS reflected in the glass.

As you get closer to KENS you notice that the west-facing glass extends past the tower to form a lip. I guess the effect will be similar to Aurora's glass "wrapping" but instead of it being translucent, the lip is covered in protective plastic wrap similar to 126 Phillip. I figure there's going to be some alumimium highlights on this black beauty.

This is going to be one very smart "business suit" tower!!

Actually Petermaloney's pic shows the plactic wrapped lip I was describing but on the south eastern edge of the tower.

http://i158.exs.cx/img158/1830/img22406go.jpg

^lol tays

That glass is absolutely gorgeous! I had to finally take a pic today:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid161/p0b6d9f9cb0daad417b82be041603725d/f4c8f348.jpg

Would have loved to get around and see all of this beast, but ran out of time...

Wow, the more pictures I see the more I realise that the renders didn't do justice to it... awesome structure. It will look so imposing from that angle Parraman once complete :D

Wow, the more pictures I see the more I realise that the renders didn't do justice to it... awesome structure. It will look so imposing from that angle Parraman once complete :DExactly on both accounts. The renders weren't of a high standard. This building will be!!

It's going to be a western fringe stunner!

I must admit I was quite happy with the renderings at first, but seeing the actual product really does make them (the renders) look like cheap and quick works.

This building is certainly imposing: I hope someone has a camera that can take in the whole building once complete from my angle above- I had my back against a wall and trying to keep the tree to the left out of view...

Finally I hope, and am certain, that this development will liven up this area of Sydtown and improve pedestrian linkages, that and the wharves site should see this part of the city feeling just like the central core area in 10 years time or so (just in time for my return!!!!)

Cheers

You're going to need a real decent wide angle lens to get this tower in a single shot. I have a 24mm len on my SLR, but there's a real possibility this shot would require a 17mm len. At that focal length fish-eye distortion will effect the vertical lines of the shot.

It may be better to stich a vertical pano instead.

When I drove past the site yesterday, there were two "e"s on the root of the podium facing the overpass.

The letters were polished aluminum and were fixed to the top leading edge of the roof. "Westpac" doesn't have two "e"s so I don't know what they're going to spell...

Parraman : I hope someone has a camera that can take in the whole building once complete

DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME????????
i can do anything!!!!

Parraman : I hope someone has a camera that can take in the whole building once complete

DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME????????
i can do anything!!!!

You da MAN Mr Maloney! Didn't forget about you, love your shots of Sydney buildings thread, and of this building too. Goof luck with the photos, I am relying on you (and all Sydneysiders) again now while I enjoy a life of hard work and partying in Holland....

Cheers

Maybe they are going to spell

LEASE

??


When I drove past the site yesterday, there were two "e"s on the root of the podium facing the overpass.

The letters were polished aluminum and were fixed to the top leading edge of the roof. "Westpac" doesn't have two "e"s so I don't know what they're going to spell...

westpace?

i cover Penrith Parramatta and the CBD ;)

Cool! Another black building.

...Well whatever the two e's were for they ain't there any more....

just to confirm gaz, the closest floor to highway is an office floor. the floor above is the plantlevel.
http://img49.exs.cx/img49/7484/kensfloorhighway4qa.jpg

core rise! levv23 in corebx
doesnt look 104m tall does it? so massive

http://img49.exs.cx/img49/5403/kensfull1rs.jpg

looking awesome dude
http://img225.exs.cx/img225/4159/kensfront0np.jpg

After 126 Phillip the finest office tower UC in the country!

Cul, not to argue the point, but (when looking at the first pic), I'm refering to level 2 and 3 are plant. Notice the steel cross-like bracing - that's there because this is the double-height and there's no floor-plate to attach the glazing panels. This is the level that's plant. It's comfirmed the vent apertures in the higher section of glass.

I'll be interested to know whether the floors will be 1,2/3,4 or 1,2,3

I think the angle also confuses it, the highway is lower than the top section of glazing.

But heck, this building has so many angles and edges, and the highway gently slopes down to touch the ground under Darling Park that at some point the highway is higher than the glazing, and at others it's lower.

BTW, I drove past it at night yesterday and the when the plantroom's lights are on you at see all the machinery. Awesome to be so close.

Great pics of a great building (so much more interesting than it's Victorian peer SX)

just to confirm gaz, the closest floor to highway is an office floor. the floor above is the plantlevel.
http://img49.exs.cx/img49/7484/kensfloorhighway4qa.jpg

^ gaz, theres actually only 1 level of plant which is level 4.it is double height of office floors.it will be known as level 4. The level below, level 3 is the office floor which also looks over highway bypass.

view from THH roof today

http://img12.exs.cx/img12/4038/kensfromthh1nc.jpg

^ Thanks for clarifying that Cul.

^ no worries.
hey in my latest pic,ive worked out the 170m high weather beacon will reach about crane height.should be a real landmark

wow thats cool

according to PropertyReview, Chifley Tower is set to have 20 floors completely vacated once Westpac relocates into KENS. The huge scope of KENS is sucking other skyscrapers dry!

just to say, KENS is not a particularly corporate or prestigious name and i know is simply from the four streets surrounding the site. What name will eventually be branded on this tower?

When are Westpac to vacate? I wouldn't mind looking into relocating to Chifley Tower if there is office space to suit our needs...

The KENS tower has been always known as -KENS Project since conception. its definatley not going to be its eventual name. I think it will be known as Westpac bank World HQ or Westpac Banking Corporation ,something like that.it has 77,000sqm to fill.yes it is sucking some scrapers dry but its only because its Westpac employees are spreadout in 7 bldgs in the CBD, thus the reason for buying KENS.
I think i was told KENS will be ready for occupation in about a year! or April 2006?

according to PropertyReview, Chifley Tower is set to have 20 floors completely vacated once Westpac relocates into KENS. The huge scope of KENS is sucking other skyscrapers dry!


Chifley must really be hurting, what with Allens Arthur Robinson moving across the road into 126 Phillip St. I wonder how many floors will be vacant once AAR and Westpac move out?

Chifley must really be hurting, what with Allens Arthur Robinson moving across the road into 126 Phillip St. I wonder how many floors will be vacant once AAR and Westpac move out?
It will be 41% vacant after they move out. UBS is moving in in 2007 so they should take up a fair few floors. That was from the SMH 30 March 05 - maybe I saw the article posted somewhere in one of these threads....

http://img219.exs.cx/img219/9697/kensapri56yl.jpg

http://img219.exs.cx/img219/6241/kensafar5tc.jpg

It will be 41% vacant after they move out. UBS is moving in in 2007 so they should take up a fair few floors. That was from the SMH 30 March 05 - maybe I saw the article posted somewhere in one of these threads....

Wow UBS should take up alot of floors. They are a HUGE company. Good news

this building doesnt look all that big in any photo ive seen so far.

But OMG! this building is absolutely massive in person! coming down from wynyard, its an absolutely dominant concrete behemoth.

**Hey Cul, is the NRMA signage atop 388 George St gonna be replaced? just saw that IAG has replaced the big NRMA signage at ground level with their own equally-big version. doesnt really make sense to have the logos of two different companies on the one building...**

**Hey Cul, is the NRMA signage atop 388 George St gonna be replaced? just saw that IAG has replaced the big NRMA signage at ground level with their own equally-big version. doesnt really make sense to have the logos of two different companies on the one building...**

Well, it does actually. IAG is at the entrance for building identification. The NRMA logo atop the building is advertising of one of IAG's brands.

i work at the IAG pymont sight next to star city and the reason for signage chage is the fact that it IAG hq not just NRMA

IAG (insurance Australia Group) = CGU, NRMA and Zurich

core rise! leve24
anyone that hasnt ventured down near KENS i recommend it. you will see what a BIG bldg looks like!! its now 102m above grd.

http://img72.echo.cx/img72/5930/kensapr148rh.jpg

...it's so big, that 102m looks short!

yes, its over 100m and looks short. its as high as a 35storey apartment block-
eg-heres the 100m Golden Gate in GC to show how 100m can look tall.

http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com/Images/105578.jpg

core rise. lev25 in corebx. 110m high.
http://img241.echo.cx/img241/6392/kensclosemaritime9wq.jpg

http://img241.echo.cx/img241/2774/kensfrommaritime6cc.jpg

http://img241.echo.cx/img241/3286/kenspano1pt.jpg

core is reducing again is size for top floors
http://img244.echo.cx/img244/1425/kensaquarium5nl.jpg

progress diagram
http://img243.echo.cx/img243/4470/kensprogress0zi.jpg