NT - PROJECTS: Darwin

[CULWULLA]

just some old and new highrise projects selling in darwin.
heres the 15storey/45m PINNACLE which is now selling. compeltion set for June2005/
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9674/101959674ml1096331468.jpg

twin 11storey towers- SYNERGY SQUARE UC

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9671/101959671mm1096010074.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8448/101468448mm1100738422.jpg

there are many 6-10storeys towers scattered around town,

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5162/101365162mm1100738422.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3846/101903846mm1096353004.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3140/101783140mm1092119611.jpg

Chelsea
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5870/101815870mm1093310263.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2979/102012979mm1100738422.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6496/102006496mm1099629677.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3209/101983209mm1099958401.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/7689/101977689mm1098764823.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6218/101976218mm1098673201.jpg


Darwins tallest structure- Ch8 TV tower-72m.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5044/101895044mm1096069440.jpg

many thanks to realestate dot com.

[Danubis]

yay 20 high rise buildings according to emporis!! not too bad at all.

Tallest completed is Marrakai Apartments at 58m and 16 stories

Tallest under construction is 20 Carey Street at 61m and 20 stories

Tallest Proposed is Sunbuild Tower at 95m and 33 stories!

Exciting stuff.

[Danubis]

http://www.abc.net.au/nt/summer/news/200402/s1038927.htm

Martin gives thumbs up to Darwin tower
Thursday, 5 February 2004

The Northern Territory Chief Minister has indicated she has no objections to a planned 30-storey apartment building in Darwin's CBD, provided it is approved by the Development Consent Authority.

The Darwin company Sunbuild wants to build the 108-unit tower in the city's McMinn street.

It would be the tallest building in the area.

Clare Martin says the large project is a sign of confidence in the local economy.

"We're gradually seeing a CBD where the buildings are getting higher," she said.

"When I first came here 20 years ago there were very few tall buildings.

"Those buildings are increasing and I'm yet to meet anyone much who says they don't like it.

"I think it really establishes Darwin as a city and is something we can really be proud of."


EDIT : Sunbuild are the contractors that built the NT passenger terminal for the adelaide to darwin trainservice... dont know anything else about them

[CULWULLA]

wow 30storeys. excellent. by the way the 20 carey st isnt uc. i talked to arcs a little while back and they said it wont start anytime soon. but its great how locals are adapting to highrise.future looks bright

[Dale]

Wow ! Some of those are Gaudi-esque.

[Trances]

well good to hear it has their support

[ShayPlan]

Darwin should become a metropolis of the north! Keep it coming. I see over a million easily sustained in this city.

[CULWULLA]

the 99m/33st Evolution tower will nearly double the height of current tallest!

http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/perspective2_resize.jpg

[Malt]

its a cross between Skyline and Felix

[Oriolus]

Wow so this is really serious - they've got a website and a sales office

Views from "a crane" equivalent to level 23. So there's already a crane on site? - its not approved yet is it.

http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/view3_ed.jpg
http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/view2_ed.jpg
http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/view1_ed.jpg

Looks alright - a worthy design for northern Australia's tallest i reckon. Love the name too - very clever. And 99m sounds better for 33s - allows for 3m floor to floor. Looks as if the podium is 5 storeys.

[Malt]

wow it surpasses townsville now i think about it.
WIll townsville take the title back?

[Oriolus]

Just found the other thread in main forum. oh well.

Malt - Townsville won't tale the title back for a long time IMO. Certainly nothing above 23 storeys planned at the moment.

[CULWULLA]

oriolus- there are plans on the website. the podium is 4 levels. the resi floors are just under 3m per floor @ 2.85m.the penthouses are higher at 3.5m per floor.

[Oriolus]

So Cul is there any laws as to what minimum floor height must be. In the Darwin projects thread
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=2200021&highlight=floor#post2200021
Finn said:

BCA (Building Code of Australia) stipulates required residential floor-to-floor height of no less than 3m, so that would make it 99m, but the ground floor at least is usually taller (~4m), which would make it 100m. I would presume there to be an LMR of at least 2-3 metres, so a structure like this would probably be just over 100m. Any significant roof feature or a couple of levels of office/retail space at the base (BCA minimum office floor-to-floor is 4m) could push it higher quite easily.

But I've seen exceptions in various developments

[Malt]

Culwulla has mentioned before that the required height is 2.7m actually

[CULWULLA]

years ago, the min height for floor to ceiling was 2.4m or 2.6m floor to floor. these days min is 2.7m floor to ceiling or 2.85m floor to floor.

[Gertzy]

its a cross between Skyline and Felix

Lol, I never really noticed it like that but yeah, you're right, its a cross between the two. The only difference being, not as tall as both.

[Gertzy]

Her's another render off the site.
http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/model1.jpg

Apparantly the building had been wind tunnel tested and engineered to the highest Australian design standards, inclusive of cyclonic and earthquake conditions

[CULWULLA]

view of current tallest in darwin

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/7273/102277273al1110875391.jpg

uc
9storey
32 maclachlin st
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/7273/102277273mm1110875391.jpg

8storey
44 maclachlin st
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4944/102244944mm1109743185.jpg

Buffalo Court
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/7755/102387755mm1115250946.jpg

Mirage
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2166/102292166mm1111449108.jpg

9storey
Imperial
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3922/102293922mm1111473867.jpg

[CULWULLA]

10storey
24harry Chan ave

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5695/101505695dl1083033678.jpg

[Gertzy]

wOw they look like some good development happening there.

[finn]

A couple of questions and a bit of info about some Darwin high-rise developments!

Firstly a question regarding Darwin's heights for Cul - wondering about the height of Mitchell Centre Tower (2004). It's listed on Emporis as 57 metres and 15 storeys, but I found this pic on the Evolution homepage showing the tower on the right hand side:

http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/view3_ed.jpg

I can easily count 13 office levels in the tower, and that isn't including the podium or the LMR. 13 office levels alone should equal 52 metres (13 x 4m) plus the podium would be at least two levels (2 x a conservative height of 3m) plus, judging by the photo the LMR looks equivalent to at least 3 office levels (3 x 4m) so the tower should be at least 70m tall all up, making it Darwin's current tallest. Obviously I don't know if this is correct, but I thought I'd mention it anyway and see what you think?

Also shown on the picture is the Crowne Plaza Hotel (just to the left of the crane), which I couldn't see listed on Emporis - maybe it is and just under a different name? Anyway, Crowne Plaza Hotel looks to be about 14 or 15 levels high as seen in the pic below:

http://p.vtourist.com/1716179-Crowne_Plaza_Darwin-Darwin.jpg

In another pic, I think you can see another shot of the Mitchell Centre in the background, where the big LMR is visible:

http://us.ext1.yimg.com/leo/imgs/4/458139/458139_EXT_01_J.jpg

Plus, more stuff! I found this article when doing some random searches about more towers planned for the top end capital!

Developer plans $100m units, hotels
11:59 AEST Tue May 24 2005
AAP
A Territory developer wants to build up to $100 million worth of apartments and hotels in Darwin city, it was revealed.

A report in the NT News says the Halikos Group of Companies plans to build:

Two luxury unit towers - with more than 100 dwellings plus penthouses - on The Esplanade;

A five-star hotel in an 18-storey block on Mitchell St; and

A hotel and serviced apartment complex with more than 100 rooms in Buffalo Court.

Managing director Shane Dignan said it was hoped work would start next year - pending development approvals.

He said the projects had been prompted by the Top End's growing tourist numbers and plans to construct a convention and exhibition centre in Darwin.

"You can't get accommodation for friends when they come up because of the shortage of accommodation in the Dry," he said.

"The tourist season is just getting bigger and bigger and with the convention centre coming on line there will be the requirement for more accommodation."

The Halikos group is planning to link the new developments with its existing property holdings.

When a sale contract is finalised next month, it will own the Top End Hotel complex - formerly owned by Mike Willesee.

Mr Dignan said the existing motel and part of the nightclub area would be demolished to make way for three new towers.

On the Mitchell St side, an 18-storey five-star hotel is planned.

And on The Esplanade side, two luxury unit towers will be built.

"They will be luxury towers to catch all that sunset foreshore stuff," Mr Dignan said.

"They will be the best luxury apartments I think we have seen up here.

"At this stage we will be looking at 100 units plus some penthouses - and it will be at least 10 storeys."

In 2000 the Halikos Group bought the Frontier Hotel.

It is planning to expand the hotel to include a second taller tower - starting late next year.

"We are looking at building another one that overlooks the golf course," he said.

"That will be a hotel and serviced apartments combined. We are still on the design stage - but it will be at least another 100 rooms."

©AAP 2005

And also, a link to the NT Dept. of Infrastructure Planning and Environment where they regularly provide a monthly construction snapshot!

http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/construction/publications.html

:)

[CULWULLA]

finn, i update Darwins stats on emporis. i contacted council last year and the planner had plans of Mitchell centre and its actually 57m to LMR. i asked twice to check plans and he said yep 57m above ground to top of pointy LMR. if you see in pic at far left is MLC which is 55m high.
http://www.darwinevolution.com.au/images/view3_ed.jpg
thanks for letting me know about Crowne. I knew of the bldg but didnt know name.
wwo 2 more 18storey bldgs? excellent

[CULWULLA]

i also added recentrly the 11storey Royal darwin at Tiwi. completed in 1977 at over 40m.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an13908719-12-v.jpg

[CULWULLA]

some recent shots from realestate dot com.
shows current tallest and tallest structure in background! the 72m ch8 mast
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2876/102312876ml1112316965.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6420/101906420ml1118887200.jpg

[GMAC]

Funny how The Royal Darwin Hospital looks exactly like the Canberra Hospital pre makeover when it was called Woden Valley Hospital. Must have been built around the same time!!

[GMAC]

OH, and go Darwin!!! I really think were going to start to see big things for Darwin over the next 10-20 years and rightly so. It is the closest city to the rest of the world yet at the same time it is probably the most stereotypical Aussie capital city, bring it on!!

[ParraMan]

Cool stuff, thanks for the link finn! If only all major government regions had such an information outlet...

[JayT]

Didn't know where to put this but these look like new developments:

Synergy Square - corner McMinn & Bennet. Its currently under construction.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9671/101959671mm1121150694.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4944/102244944mm1109743185.jpg
This looks new:
44 MCLACHLAN STREET DARWIN


146 SMITH STREET DARWIN
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3922/102293922al1111474026.jpg


148 SMITH STREET DARWIN
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/5870/101815870mm1093310263.jpg

Looks like Darwin will have some interesting density.

[thewreckoning88]

on one of the forums it was suggested that darwin should be the next dubai or singapore.. which isnt a bad idea because of its location... it would be nice to see 300+ towers there. but oh well. you never know wat comes in the future.

[Gertzy]

Darwin's skyline would be awesome with 50 12+ story buildings.

[CULWULLA]

recent view from Bayview. the bldg uc is the 15storey PINNACLE.


http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1575/102311575ml1112252135.jpg

[Brizer]

I think Darwin is going to have to have a 1000% increase in population and discover unlimited oil reserves underneath its suburbs before it can think of emulating Dubai!

[Jimmy James]

I reckon for a city of barely 100,000 it's doing pretty well to have the high-rise it's got - of course the situation is slightly inflated by being the administrative centre of NT (therefore office space needed!)

[Neo]

I just found out yesterday I am being posted to Darwin in 4 weeks time.

I've never been there but from the looks of this thread I'm liking it!

I'm going to be an Air Traffic Controller at Darwin International/RAAF Base Darwin - which is a bit of a step up from the Naval Air Station. Back to RAAF-world (yay!)

[CULWULLA]

good stuff neo. have you access to a digcam?

[Neo]

good stuff neo. have you access to a digcam?

Yeah I do. Question for you - how high is the Control Tower? It is the tallest of the RAAF towers, but don't know exactly how tall it is.

[CULWULLA]

checkout the original raaf control tower built 1940

http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/facilities%20images/DN%201st%20TWR%2040s%20hi.JPG
The former RAAF Tower was an open-sided shack on stilts and was replaced by this civil Control Tower constructed under a water reservoir - easily the strangest Tower ever built in Australia! 1950

http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/facilities%20images/DN%202nd%20TWR%2050s%20hi.JPG

heres its replacement in 1959
it was damagad in 74 by cyclone tracey and replaced again
http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/facilities%20images/DN%203rd%20TWR%2070s%20hi.JPG
the new control tower was built 2000.not sure of height?

this is raafs new lighting system for airport>
http://www.cse.com.au/Projects/darwin_ALCS.htm

heres some hornets at darwin raaf

operation pitchblack
http://www.defence.gov.au/pitchblack/images/gallery/240704/JPAU21JUL04ML095_lo.jpg

http://www.defence.gov.au/pitchblack/images/gallery/240704/JPAU21JUL04ML063_lo.jpg

[Neo]

Interesting Trivia - the Control tower at Nowra (HMAS Albatross) is a mini-me of the Darwin tower, built in 2001 (just one year after).

Darwin's is taller and the tower cabin itself is a little wider. But basically the same design.

[Neo]

Do we have any people on here from the top end?

[CULWULLA]

Cullen Bay is looking very gold coasty.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0967/5170967ml1146123456.jpg

[MelbourneCity]

recent view from Bayview. the bldg uc is the 15storey PINNACLE.


http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1575/102311575ml1112252135.jpg

It looks like a suburban skyline of Sydney or Brisbane...

Impressive though, I hope Darwin booms in the coming years, but not toooo quickly, we dont want it becoming the next sprawling suburban jungle.

[CULWULLA]

the latest skyscrapers to hit the skyline of darwin is the twin towers of cardona court. the 12storey units
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1170/103291170ml1151649362.jpg

http://img.domain.com.au/img/3483/4738273_1_FS.JPG?mod=060615-153421

trying to work out what this crane is for?
http://img.domain.com.au/img/6903/4775511_2_FS.JPG?mod=060710-094320

new projects-
DARWINIAN

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6717/103276717ml1151042400.jpg

ASPECT

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6689/103276689bl1151042400.jpg

ARKABA

Http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1034/103221034ml1148889064.jpg

HORIZON

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3008/103303008mm1152239743.jpg

[CULWULLA]

wish all highrise projects had updates like this>
http://www.hastingsovermindil.com/data/construction_gallery/jun06/index.htm

[matt_sbs]

how is evolution going, has is starting ground works yet or still a hole in the ground

[CULWULLA]

we have a site manager for Evolution now on the forum. he said the foundation slab has been poured and will post some pix soon.
thread>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=156007&page=4

[Roar/]

Great about the site manager for evolution is on the forums! Hopefully it will make it easier to grab pics of Darwin highrise constructions.

[CULWULLA]

love these views.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3414/103113414ml1152838740.jpg

such a beautiful natural harbour ,(potentially a new sydney?)
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6175/101436175ml1143154560.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3452/103133452ml1147139451.jpg

[WawaY[625]]

hello darwin!

i must say WOW! you got quite a nice city down there..

anyway, i went to this thread to check out what darwin is about since i heard there will be an international flight between darwin and davao,philippines (my city) and i must say im pretty impressed with your city...i hope the flight pushes through and we can visit each others cities soon..anyway, here are images from my city...

sorry if the pics are big, i hotlinked them from our thread..

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a340/tj_brewed/DAVAO/021dc0fc.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/metro.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f142/kododoy/metro2.jpg

[GMAC]

I went to Darwin for the first time last week and I loved it, even tho I was sick as a dog with flu the whole time. I was up there for work so got to see all of the suburbs including Palmerston. The whole place has a really nice relaxed atmosphere which I loved, the roads would have to have been the best I have ever seen in any city in Australia, especially for the size of the population. Even tho the city is still relatively short it is still very visible from many places which surprised me, and with evolution and Outrigger (of which there is a model in the departures lounge at the airport) I think the visibility of the city from the suburbs will improve in the same way that Riparian and Aurora have done for Brisbane. I cant wait to go back to Darwin and it looks like it will become a regular trip for me so next time I will hopefully be feeling well enough to get round and take some good pics.

[CULWULLA]

^yes thats what ive heard. darwin is a great planned out sity ripe for development, which is finally gwtting now with skyscrapers and the Waterfront precinct. The city will really be a showcase in a few years.

[Gertzy]

Apparantly there are some more projects planned for Cullen Bay, a few more 10s and so on.

[CULWULLA]

darwin skyline in April 2006. current tallest structure is ch2 mast at 72m.
this view should change dramatically within 2-3 years.
http://static.flickr.com/52/134574980_a19553d2fa_b.jpg


http://static.flickr.com/47/131787502_624e17b932_b.jpg

michell centre


http://static.flickr.com/52/126882120_ea83921b42_b.jpg

[CULWULLA]

http://static.flickr.com/57/195015239_bd5a2876ea_o.jpg

[cristobal_underscore]

I just went on emporis and saw all the developments, they look very impressive, Darwin has now beaten canberra. (For now....)

[Danubis]

those last two skyline pics of darwin are really impressive!!

[CULWULLA]

oct 1
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1936/backupofdarwindiagramjoct1vm7.jpg

[CULWULLA]

view from latest highrise in town. the 8storey imperial
the city looks so green from here
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4790/103494790ml1159922651.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4583/103474583ml1158649200.jpg

out of town in Parap. 8 storeys seems to be popular with developers?
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3008/103303008ml1158561201.jpg

[Davee]

Nip over and vote

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=412027

[CULWULLA]

another 8st/24m job
SKYVIEW
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1459/103621459ml1163991600.jpg

[DEEP NORTH]

They have also started work on One30 Esplanade, on the corner of The Esplanade and Daly street on the site of the old Top End hotel. 128 apartments in 4 towers - I think two of them go up to 22 floors. Each tower will only have two apartments per level. Completion not expected until 2009.

[CULWULLA]

^wow, up to 22 storeys? excellent. how can i fin out more about this project. Im editor for emporis and would like to add these to the database.
btw, welcome to forum. are you a darwin local?

[DEEP NORTH]

I haven't found much about it on the internet, but there's a big render of it on the front page of the local freebie real estate newspaper "Real Estate Liftout - Northern Territory News, Saturday, November 18". According to the article the architects are Jackman Gooden and the developers are the Halikos Group.

Yes, I am a Darwin local - thanks for the welcome.

[CULWULLA]

thanks. ill see if i can contact them for info.

website>
http://www.halikos.com.au/#

cheers

[CULWULLA]

i contacted developer today and looks like they will send me stats/heights/photos of new project. ill post when i get em.
cheers

[CULWULLA]

new 9 storey nearing completion on The Esplanade
LAMEROO
i like it.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1077/103651077ml1165195183.jpg

[DEEP NORTH]

This building is not far from where I work (Darwin is a very small town!). Its nearly finished, but still has the crane up and a bit of scaffolding. I'll get a photo of it so people can compare the finished product with the "artists conception". These apartments have million dollar views across Darwin harbour that can never be built out - unfortunately they come with a million dollar price tag, so will remain in my "dream" catagory......

Darwin is now getting a lot of developments of this size which is really improving the density of the place and finally shaking off that "frontier town" feel.

[CULWULLA]

yes, ive posted many new projects that range from 6-9storeys.This size project seems to go well with markets. not too big or small.
Darwin needs to make that jump up with 15-30st projects as norm.
its good to see it actually happening.

[staminous]

Just to update. A while ago i reported that there was a project called Ascension consisting of two 27 story towers at the corner of Daly Street and the Esplanade in Darwin City. (the old Top End Hotel site ..that is the huge block of land bound by mitchell, daly and the esplanade in the city centre)



I recieved a brochure in the mail the other day. It's now had a name change and a slight design change. But still going ahead and will be ready to move into by January 2009.




It's now called One30 Esplanade. The name change from Ascension to One30 Esplanade is because of marketing reasons. There's so many developments going on in Darwin at this moment that have 'nice sounding' names, it's very confusing for investors.

With the Esplanade now completely built out by back-to-back highrises, (sunbuild's new 9 story building next door to Lameroo took the last parcel of land to go, old house to be demolished) Halikos wanted to 'cash in' on the popularity and 'rarity' of it's full frontal Esplanade position. having One30 Eslpanade as it's new name, does accentuates this, and gives this development a mark of difference in the booming market place.


The number of appartments have been expanded. Formally two 27 story towers, it now becomes four towers. The tallest two fronting Mitchell Street being 18 and 22 stories high, the other two, fronting the Esplanade being 12 and 16 stories high.

The same, ultra stylish pink, white, blue and silver design facade themes remain intact. The development, involves a major streetscaping of Daly Street and the Esplanade with new curves, parking, landscaping, paving and restaurants.


:cheers:

[staminous]

I am very glad to see that the Darwin city Council has completely demolished the very ugly Stuart Park Tank Farm (huge white gas storage tanks adjacent to the city c.d.b. and present in Culwalla's google picture he posted a while back.)

When i was in Darwin the other month, i thought it looked great seeing them removed, and having such a big expanse of land to do anything with. I was kind of hoping the city council would turn this space into a huge city-fringe park.

It's great to read on the NT Government's futuredarwin website, that their plan is to convert this space into exactly that, a huge city park. perfect. I also love the way they are building better swimming access at Lameroo Beach in the City too, aswell as more cycle ways and walk ways.

The NT Government is really switched on, i am a little worried that Clare Martin might get voted out next year. I've been watching NT Stateline on ABC2 and i worry that she is becoming a little bit like Jeff Kennett, and might just get thrown out by do-gooders, nimbys and greenies. It seems that not all Darwinites are happy that Clare is turning their city into a new Gold Coast. (..as is often bemoaned).

[CULWULLA]

thanks staminous. ive contacted Halikos about the 4 towers, but so far no response.
so its 12st, 16st,18st,22st towers? or approx-36m,50m,60m,75m?
cant wait for more data so i can add them to emporis.
yeah its good about the tank removals. such a great spanse of land to give back to the people.
cheers

[DEEP NORTH]

Clearly Halikos is not in a hurry to sell off its new apartments in one30 Esplanade. There's still nothing on the net, which I find strange because they commenced the basement excavation weeks ago. In the meantime I thought I'd post a scan of the development to give you a taste of what to expect (sorry about all the writing over it!)

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/5788/one30ch0.th.jpg (http://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=one30ch0.jpg)

[DEEP NORTH]

From last Saturday's NT News - at this stage a bit of a pipe dream, but you never know......

$500m twin towers plan
By EMMA GUMBLETON
16dec06

AN ARCHITECT wants to build a futuristic gateway to Darwin's city centre with two giant towers _ one 55 storeys and the other at least 35. The Darwin City Gate development _ estimated to cost between $300-500million _ is planned for the corner of Daly and McMinn streets. Both towers would be taller than the Territory's tallest building _ the 33-storey Evolution apartment block, which is being built on McMinn St. The 55-storey tower would be about 200m tall and would be linked to the smaller skyscraper by a bridge across Daly St.

City Gate could be finished by 2012. It will house 12,000sqm of retail and 40,000sqm of office space, a 300-room 4 or 5-star hotel and more than 200 apartments. The higher levels, floors 51 to 55, are planned to contain a communications tower/centre, observation deck, restaurant and art gallery. A second bridge will wind over the major intersection to the old railway line path.


Capital Architecture director Peter Villis said he was planning for a Darwin 10 to 20 years into the future. ``Planning in Darwin allows for 40 storeys and I think the next level of development that needs to emerge in this city, looking at its long-term growth, is 55 storeys,'' he said. ``But in addition to that, the height will allow it to be more significant than the Waterfront, which is going to be something like 23 storeys.


``This project is visionary and will bring change to Darwin. It is at the outer edge of possibility and that's what vision is about _ it leads people to the next step.'' Mr Villis said the next two years would be spent in public consultation and formal planning approval. After that, City Gate could take three years to build.


``This is the entry of the city and should be the entry _ if you look at it at the moment it looks like the back end of town but it should actually be the front end,'' he said.


``In Darwin today, I wouldn't want to lodge an application. But it's something we don't want to do until people understand and agree with it.''


Mr Villis said he was in talks with department stores to take up retail space.


The building is designed in the shape of a gecko, tying in Aboriginal culture and the tropical environment.


http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Darwin%20Towers.jpg

[Dilaz89]

fuck me. A 200m tower for a city of just over 100,000. If you can pull it off, then u guys are better then every other city in Australia!

[CULWULLA]

god damn! how good would that be.do they know about the 100m height limit? lol
thanks deep north!

[CULWULLA]

so is the gateway site (cnr mcminn and daly st adjacent to Apollo motorhomes?
http://www.ideamerge.com/motorhomes/australia_new_zealand/ap/map_darwin.gif

[CULWULLA]

heres an updated skyline diagram showing 0ne30 esplanade dvelopment and the massive city gate towers.

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/4024/darwinskyline2012jv5.jpg

[GMAC]

If Darwin can pull this off it will be a major miracle!!!! Im not sure that this height works very well on this site, and it seems a like its at the wrong end of town for this sort of development.....then again, this could establish a new business precinct for Darwin.

[DEEP NORTH]

This proposed project is actually in a pretty good location. At the moment there is nothing on these sites, just disused warehousing and derelict office space. The achitect makes a good point when he says that this primary approach to Darwin is pretty ordinary, flanked as it is by car yards and light industrial complexes - a bit like Parramatta Road before the fix-up. A building like this would signal an arrival in a city centre.

There are, of course, people already protesting the proposal. Darwin has a surprisingly voiciferous anti-development lobby, our new beach resort was only approved through a pretty fancy-footed compromise with the Casino next door. The rational of this particular lobby makes precious little sense they simply object to everything on reflex, and are completely unable to grasp the concept that well planned projects and infrastructure can actually enhance our lifestyle rather than detract from it.

Still, the NT Government is pretty keen on these types of Mega Projects and there is even a division of the Chief Minister's department dedicated to them, so you just never know....

Anyway, here's the basic plan for the sites from the architect, courtesy the NT News.

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Darwin%20Towers%20Map.jpg

[DEEP NORTH]

And a slightly larger render of the design, once again courtesy of NT News

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Darwin%20Towers%20Pic.jpg

[CULWULLA]

wow, very interesting. great shape.

[matt_sbs]

very interesting design, dono if i like it or not, dont think darwin is prepared to have a building of that size yet

[CULWULLA]

i tend to agree. for past 20 years the tallest has been 16st/56m Marrakai tower. only now theres going to be Evolution which will double height of tallest to 100m tall. But this Gateway complex doubles Evolutions height!
yeah maybe in 10-20 years council may up height limit to 150m+.

[DEEP NORTH]

The nearly complete Lamaroo on the Esplanade - there are only a couple more blocks available for development on this strip, they will all easily have the best views in Darwin.

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF1609.JPG

[CULWULLA]

finally a update skyline shot. feb8
im sure that core at far right is Outrigger?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/383349424_321c06b29a_o.jpg

from the other side SO GREEN!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/357593565_44c2cea056_o.jpg

[GMAC]

yeah Cul, that core on the far right is Outrigger. Great Skyline Pics too, the skyline is really starting to thicken up, and looks really impressive driving in from Palmerston on Tiger Brennan Drive.

[DEEP NORTH]

And another one's been approved! This one consists of a 25 story and 5 story building. I've lost count of how many 20 plus story developments are on the go in Darwin now.

There has been an artist's impressing put on the NT government's website, but my computer has decided it doesn't want to play, so I'll post the link when I can. In the meantime, you can read all about it below.:banana:

GREEN LIGHT FOR
THE CHINATOWN
DEVELOPMENT

THE DEVELOPMENT CONSENT AUTHORITY has approved the mixed use Chinatown development that will include 153 apartments, 155 hotel rooms, 350 car parks, restaurants and retail outlets in the Darwin CBD. Work will now start on detailed design, with the project expected to be well under way by the end of the year, says Sydney developer Robert Magid. “We were all delighted with the DCA’s approval, which was a vote of confidence in the project. We now look forward to laying the foundation stone,” he said.

The complex will include public facilities, including a large forecourt that encourages musical performances, restaurants, a pub and number of retail outlets. The Chinatown consortium is a collaboration between Jason Lee and Dennis On, of Leeon Properties, Mr Magid.

It will be the first mixed use CBD development for Darwin, incorporating a luxury hotel, restaurants, a hawker centre, offices, speciality retail outlets, tourism facilities and residential apartments.

[Danubis]

And another one's been approved! This one consists of a 25 story and 5 story building. I've lost count of how many 20 plus story developments are on the go in Darwin now.

There has been an artist's impressing put on the NT government's website, but my computer has decided it doesn't want to play, so I'll post the link when I can. In the meantime, you can read all about it below.:banana:

GREEN LIGHT FOR
THE CHINATOWN
DEVELOPMENT

THE DEVELOPMENT CONSENT AUTHORITY has approved the mixed use Chinatown development that will include 153 apartments, 155 hotel rooms, 350 car parks, restaurants and retail outlets in the Darwin CBD. Work will now start on detailed design, with the project expected to be well under way by the end of the year, says Sydney developer Robert Magid. “We were all delighted with the DCA’s approval, which was a vote of confidence in the project. We now look forward to laying the foundation stone,” he said.

The complex will include public facilities, including a large forecourt that encourages musical performances, restaurants, a pub and number of retail outlets. The Chinatown consortium is a collaboration between Jason Lee and Dennis On, of Leeon Properties, Mr Magid.

It will be the first mixed use CBD development for Darwin, incorporating a luxury hotel, restaurants, a hawker centre, offices, speciality retail outlets, tourism facilities and residential apartments.

wow darwin is going gangbusters!

anyone care to list all the developments that are approved??

[staminous]

This is the development that i reported on in October last year. It's located at the corner of Mitchell Street and Mott Court.

It's developer, Jason Lee, is a Singaporean businessman, who is based in Darwin.

Also, the property developer whom built the twin eight story Salonika towers in Parap, is now building a 15 story office tower on the land he owns next door to his apartment complex.

This office tower is the first of three he plans to develop. His plan is for Salonika Street to become Darwin's Coronation Drive.

It will be completed by 2008.


Another nine story apartment tower is to be built behind the historic Admiralty House on the Esplanade. 9 stories on the Esplanade seems to be the absolute norm, with 130 Esplanade being the exception.

Also, the NT News quoted the Panadaus Tower at 28 stories not 26, several times. Has it gone up by two levels.

Darwin does have a history of 'building' basically everything thats gets proposed. I was interested to read in the NT News the other week, that the 55 story Citygate Tower proposal is still being taken seriously.

[CULWULLA]

all sounds good. but if im going to add these to emporis, i need details like- adress, plans,devlopers/architects etc.
25 st mixed use would be nearly as tall as Evolution.

[DEEP NORTH]

wow darwin is going gangbusters!

anyone care to list all the developments that are approved??

Funny you should ask! The NT Business Review just listed all new CBD residential developments approved since June 2006, which includes:


8 story block 184 Smith Street
17 story block 96 Woods Street
10 story block 105 Woods Street
12 story block 115 Woods street
8 story block 13 Dashwood Road
25 and 6 story 68 Mitchell Street (Chinatown)
2 x 9 story blocks, cnr Mauna Loa and Mitchell Streets
24 story block 64 McMinn Street
9 story block 70 Esplanade
10 story block 108 Esplanade

There are also a few commercial developments, but these are relatively insignificant compared to the residential ones.

[CULWULLA]

Wow, probal;y 6 of them would make a 35m height for emporis inclusion.
i reckon 2010, the skyline should be full of cranes.

[DEEP NORTH]

And for those interested in projects approved before June last year, here's an artists impression of the twin 30 story towers to be built on Harvey Street. Still no indication about when construction is going to begin though. They look kinda strange to me.

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Sunrise.jpg

[staminous]

I talked about these two twin towers back in October as well.

They're to be built on the Stuart Park side of Harvey Street. Right on top of where the Darwin Gas storage tanks used to be.

As far as i know, they will offer 360 degree views as a selling point.
I think the architectual firm is Brisbane based.

I actually thought that the Darwin city council had rejected them on grounds of design. Not sure now.

Funny how the NT News refers to these as Sunset Towers, and still refers to 130 Eslanade as Ascension.

More good news for Darwin. As i said in a previous post. Darwin, with all it's marinas, canal estates and pink and purple highrises is getting a very Gold Coast feel to it.

Being lead by exQueenslanders sure is having an effect.

thanks for posting the pic!

[CULWULLA]

Mark bell from bell gabbert has designed many new projects. i spoke with him last year. i might contcat him again to get some info.
cheers

[CULWULLA]

got a reply from Mark Bell

here are his projects currently working on.

1. 4002 - Cascade apartments, Brewery Lane, Woolner / 9 storeys / 30 apartments / Builder = GRD Constructions, under construction,

2. 4017 - Hastings over Mindil stage 1, 2 x 8 storey towers with connected podium / 84 apartments / Builder = Barclay Mowlem, completed 12/2006, stages 2-4 in design,

3. 4027 - Aquavista apartments, Lot 7424 Woods St. + Cardona Crt./ 14 storeys / 58 apartments / Developer/Builder = Auleth Pty Ltd, under construction,

4. 4041 - Sunrise Towers (not Sunset!), Lots 7276-7277-7278 Harvey St. / 2 x 30 storey towers / 249 apartments / developer = APP Adelaide, S.A. / marketing-feasibility in progress,

5. 4058 - Renaissance Tower, Lots 1632 + 1633 Carey street / 25 storeys / 83 apartments / feasibility in progress,

6. 4063 - LTC Tower, Lots 2343 + 2344 Cavenagh + Bennett St. / 13 storeys / 44 apartments + commercial/retail space / documentation in progress / developer = Chin Family Holdings,

7. 4071 - Aspire apartments, Lot 5953 Carey St. / 24 storeys / 86 apartments / feasibility-marketing in progress / developer = Anjen Holdings Pty Ltd.

8. DHAMB1a - another image for the Vantage Point triple towers I designed in 1999-2000.

ASPIRE
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/7057/aspireaboveng4.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/8848/aspirebackmh3.jpg

CASCADES-nearly done

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/3231/casacdesip7.jpg

LTC TOWER
Http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6564/ltctowersao4.jpg

SUNRISE TOWERS

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9477/sunriseha1.jpg

RENAISSANCE TOWER
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6997/careystcx6.jpg

[Dilaz89]

They look crap. As Darwin is just entering the high-rise stage architects and developers should be placing a high priority on design to ensure that future high-rise in darwin is accepted.

[CP Doom]

I like them (except cascades) Love that tacky, Gold Coast feel to it. I still remember central Darwin looking like any old crappy outback town. I have a picture of the NT Government assembly building in the 70's. It looked like a tin shed. Tragic.

[CULWULLA]

i think the designs are fine.
dilaz-you have to remember they have to brace high temps and cyclones, thus the heavy look.it aint perth.

[Dilaz89]

i suppose curtain walling is out of the question in most cases here but i do think more should be done to avoide ending up with white concrete fridges.

[south]

so what's going on up (oops... down) there? is Darwin taking the "if you build it, they will come" approach, or are a lot of people moving there?

must say i love seeing so much Aus development going on outside the 'traditional' capitals, especially in the north.

[DEEP NORTH]

Very much in the "if you build it they will come" mode at the moment. The population is growing quickly in proportional terms, but not that fast in absolute terms, maybe only 2000 people a year. Despite this the government's invested very heavily in infrastructure - new convention centre, new port and rail facilities, industrial parks etc. The economy's booming at a 6% annual growth rate (albiet coming off a very small base) so maybe all this investment will pay off in the long run.

[south]

the govt has definitely pumped a lot of money into developing Darwin in the past two decades, as though they're eager to turn it into something much bigger.

that's money well spent, imho, as Aust. needs cities in the north to serve as gateways to Asia, trading hubs etc. Not to mention the beautiful scenery.

[LanceDriver]

all these tall designs, would they really hold up to a serious cyclone? i can only imagine the amount of glass, furniture and fittings that would rain down! where's the people to fill these buildings? i know darwin has high growth but is there enough for all this? it would be good to see if it really was all possible.

[CP Doom]

Go Darwin. It's nice to see other cities besides the big 5 turning into something more than just regional depots. Darwin could be a mini Dubai (albeit a tasteful one) if they play it right.
Years ago (60's 70's) they tried to get Darwin going but nothing seemed to work & the place just stayed kind of like an outpost. Cyclone Tracey didnt help obviously. Now in a short space of time they have acheived what several decades could not. Love the instant jump in height of the skyline with the lastest tallies.

[staminous]

Guys, you have to remember. Darwin is unique. Sure it's population is only 112,000 but it plays host to a consisiderably large 'temporary working population'. Generally fly-in fly-out professionals from Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Many of these highrise apartments will be bought by mining companies so they can house their iteneiret workers.


The other factor regarding this push for highrise is, land in the top end is incredibly expensive. Darwin's central business district lies on a narrow peninsula. This peninsula is either already built up, or is too swampy to build on.


The only real land option is in Palmerston 25kms away. This is why Palmerston was first built in the early 1980s. Because of a lack of land close to Darwin. However, in 2007, when you consider that Palmerston is already quite a large city in it's own right, by the time you get to Palmerston's new housing estates, you're already a good 30km + from Darwin's city centre.


Hense, you have two choices, build a new house and land package 30kms out, or live in a new apartment in the c.b.d.

Territorians complain about the peak our traffic between Palmerston and Darwin city. A the moment, theres one main highway linking the two cities. It is about eight lanes wide and consists of about 20 sets of traffic lights and comercial businesses, car yards and bulky goods stores. It can take 45 minutes just to get from home to work!


The territory government is busily constructing a fast flowing Palmerston to Darwin Freeway (south of the main hwy and connecting the new port and rail facitlities) but currently it only goes half way. It stops at Hidden Valley.


So you can see how attractive, c.d.b. highrise living is to Dawrinites. The other thing is, the NT Government town planners have rejected, Canberra-style decentralisation policies, and has embrased a plan for centralising and bolstering the role of Darwin's defined c.b.d.


When you have a c.b.d. surrounded by water on all FOUR sides, you realise going up is a very responsible planning response. I say Four and not Three because it's actually true. When you are in Darwin city, it does feel as if you are in on a tropical island. It's possible to look, north, south, east and west and see harbour views.

Dawrin's unique geographical setting and current planning trends will see Darwin city contiue to push up.

If Darwin was to build a bridge accross it's beautiful harbour and develop it's western shore that would pose a very different situation. But as yet there are no plans for that.

Also, another factor, Darwin has a very Asian perspective. Darwin's leaders draw alot of their inspiration from Singapore. And indeed, much of Darwin's current building boom is financed by Singapore and Bruneian businessmen. (a result of clever NT Government economic advancement strategies.)

Infact, NIMBYS often complain that Darwin's council is obessed with turning Darwin into a little Singapore.

But one thing, Darwin is actually a really groovy lifestyle city, set it very attractive surronds.
As the city develops, people who visit it are deciding they want to move there. So the 'build it and they will come' mentality does actually work.

The new Darwin Waterfront is pargely a product of this philosophy. Darwin needs a tropical lagoon and city harbour front. If it has it, people will move here. The NT Government knows this, So they're building it!!

[Lord_Bertrum]

Thanks for a great post, very enjoyable and interesting to read

[DEEP NORTH]

Gotta say Staminous, I'm impressed with how well you know Darwin! The city really is taking its cues from Singapore, and the resemblance will be even closer when Chinatown is finished because its supposed to include a Singapore style hawker centre - I can't wait.

Now that Darwin businesses are also sourcing a lot of their labour from Asia as well (mainly Philippines and China) since they can't get enough local tradesmen, the metamorphisis of Darwin into a true SE Asian city should start to speed up.

[LanceDriver]

all sounds good, but still, what happens to these biggies in a massive cyclone event?

[cristobal_underscore]

Sounds pretty cool, sadly the ACT government has just realised about canberra's de-centrailsing, Now they are trying to build up the CBD to make it the true centre of canberra. I think you have a better chance of people from asia moving there than people from the south mainly because of the extreme heat you have all year long.

[Wezza]

all sounds good, but still, what happens to these biggies in a massive cyclone event?

Dude, are you trolling or what? Remember Townsville & Cairns have relatively tall buildings? They're both in cyclone areas......

[staminous]

cycolones aren't a problem for modern engineering.


Otherwise, there would be no highrises in Miami, the rest of Florida and southern USA and Asian cities too. There is no difference in climate between Darwin and Singapore.


INM, skyscrapers and Earthquake zones are more perilous.

[LanceDriver]

ok cheers. i just can't recall a massive cyclone event happening since talls started going up in the north, including northern queensland. i know we had larry etc last year but it wasn't a direct hit on an area with talls. not being from up there and not following cyclone proofed architecture i was curious about it. thanks.

[CP Doom]

Thanks staminous for the info. One of the best posts about Darwin ever. I never ever imagined Palmerston was so big, till I checked the map on the net. My map of Darwin at home only includes Darwin & immediate suburbs, not inc. east arm or beyond. All of a sudden, this new map shows there are even more suburbs & Palmerston is HUGE.
And a freeway too, what next. Darwin is amazing.

[south]

i'll say it too; staminous, that was one of the most interesting pieces i've read about Darwin and thanks for taking the time to post it. I've often wondered what the govt's (both federal and local) vision was for the city but it all seems clearer now. I would never have guessed they were actually taking inspiration from Singapore -- but the idea of a big, modern, multicultural, lifestyle city at the top of Australia really appeals to me.

[Danubis]

has cul done a monthly diagram for NT??? i cant seem to find it/

[CULWULLA]

yes, its in every monthly update
>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=457620

[Danubis]

oh so it is :)

[CULWULLA]

the one30esplanade towers should also be on there but i have no height data yet or elevations.

[CULWULLA]

this has to be one of tallest in darwin
The Esplanade tower
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6643/103886643fl1174706666.jpg
views towards CBD
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/6643/103886643dl1174706666.jpg

you can see it in this park across from park.ignore the red arrow

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0383/103910383ml1175583600.jpg


new PINNACLE
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1219/103901219ml1175042710.jpg

[staminous]

thanks for posting those pics cull. ..that building is in my opinion the tallest in the city. i think it's called admiralty house. if you look carefully, theres a block next to it. this building is mixed-use and the first stage in a two stage twin tower development. another office tower of the same height is also planned soon.


this area of the cbd, reminds me very much of creeck st in brisbane city. it has a very similar feel. this pocket close to parliament house and the law courts and it's classy bars and restaurants and opal and diamond jewllery shops is the expensive part of town. it has a prominence that makes you realise there is wealth in darwin. hobart, townsville, cairns, newcastle do not conjure up a similar feel in their cdb's.

[DEEP NORTH]

I found this website today for a local real estate agent who has created a virtual 3D model of future Darwin CBD including all the planned and under construction developments, which according to the site, can be viewed by interested parties - I think its to be used for people looking to invest and don't want to buy properties that will be built out in a couple of years. Maybe someone on this forum (CULWULLA??) can sweet talk them into letting us all have a look?

http://www.virtualdarwin.com.au/

Interesting to note the amount of construction going on in the city. According to the site:

Buildings of 20 storeys or more under construction - 4.*
Tallest under construction - 33 storeys.*
Other buildings of between 8 & 20 storeys under construction - 12.*

Buildings of 20 storeys or more in planning - 5.*
Tallest in planning - 30 storeys.*
Other buildings of between 8 & 20 storeys in planning - 8.*

[CULWULLA]

intresting site.looks like its sketchup program? ill email to enquire.

snapshot from website
i can see evolution,pandanas and 30the esplanade towers

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6549/darwin3dho9.jpg

[aussiescraperman]

^^ great statistics

[LanceDriver]

wow! it really makes darwin look great.

[CP Doom]

Wow. Darwin is just one superlative after another. Whats next, a 50 storey skyscraper?

[DEEP NORTH]

^^ Funny you should ask.....

Remember this project? well its hasn't been forgotten, looks like the developer's in a bid to try and gather community support and win over the NIMBY crowd (see below for an article from today's NT News)

And a slightly larger render of the design, once again courtesy of NT News

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Darwin%20Towers%20Pic.jpg



Want a $750,000 unit for FREE?
EXCLUSIVE By NICK CALACOURAS and NICK RUSHWORTH
23apr07
THE man behind the Territory's planned luxury City Gate twin tower unit complex wants to give away one of the apartments _ valued at $750,000.

Peter Villis will ask Territorians to enter their ideas for environmentally friendly building design _ with the best idea set to win the swish apartment in the proposed Darwin city complex.

Mr Villis, director of Capital Architecture, told the Northern Territory News yesterday that he was already in ``preliminary discussions'' with Racing, Gaming and Licensing to set up the rules for the competition,

Even though the development was ``still at inception'', Mr Villis assured Territorians that, once the competition was formally announced and entries called for, the development would be ``a certainty'' and the prize guaranteed.

The competition will be open to entries from across the world, he said.

``We are planning a world-class environmentally friendly complex that will form an iconic entry point to Darwin's CBD,'' he said.

The City Gate development plans to use wind and solar glass technology to power the towers. Water collection and site retention measures are planned to be used for the occupants as well as various ``wall technologies'' that reduce the need for artificial cooling and light.

The development, to be completed by about 2011, has an estimated price tag of up to $500million.

[Muse]

Thanks for posting the article DEEP NORTH.

I think the idea for the competition to give an apartment away is great. It will be wonderful for PR given the idea behind the competition. In this world of ours, "going green" is definitely the trend, and it will be here to stay.

Mr Villis sounds very confident, esp. in stating that the development is to be completed by about 2011.

For anyone, there is a thread on this project in the Skyscraper News & Discussion section: Darwin's 200 metre twin tower proposal (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=421659&highlight=Darwin)

BTW Hope you don't mind DEEP NORTH. I edited the pic of the concept towers for (slightly) easier viewing:

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

[Muse]

And another one's been approved! This one consists of a 25 story and 5 story building. I've lost count of how many 20 plus story developments are on the go in Darwin now.

There has been an artist's impression put on the NT government's website, but my computer has decided it doesn't want to play, so I'll post the link when I can. In the meantime, you can read all about it below.:banana:

GREEN LIGHT FOR THE CHINATOWN DEVELOPMENT

Here is the only render I could find, and its article from www.nt.gov.au, 7th Feb 2007:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/Chinatown_ArticleA.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/Chinatown_ArticleB.jpg


BTW Here is a render for the older appoved 12-storey 80m proposal for the Chinatown project:

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

[DEEP NORTH]

Thanks for that. I'm not holding my breath for them to get started on the Chinatown stage 2 though, stage one didn't start until 2 years after it was announced! Still, it'll be a great addition to the city when it eventually does progress. Don't think it'll look much like the render though. Stage 1 buildings are now finished and they look absolutely NOTHING like what you have shown above which was, indeed, what was originally supposed to go up. I may even go take a photo so you can see what I mean.

[CULWULLA]

muse ;that 12storey would be closer to 40m more so then 80m?

[Muse]

muse ;that 12storey would be closer to 40m more so then 80m?That's what is on Emporis. :dunno:

[CULWULLA]

someone fucked up. ive changed to 55m height i was told it was.
cheers

[DEEP NORTH]

Sign for a new development in central Darwin I noticed as I was cycling around the city this morning - I was surprised to find construction has already started. Not a particularly exciting project, but a good example of the more "typical" type of development going on around the city. Darwin is actually getting a good bit of density happening in its CBD now (albeit on a modest scale!)

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF1720.JPG

[CULWULLA]

cool.like the heavy cornice

[CP Doom]

OMG, I havent checked this since mid april. Holy fuckaroonie!

[Muse]

Love the facade on Civitas - interesing form-wise. The huge rooftop canopy is a good idea to keep the top couple of floors a bit cooler. Looks great.

BTW DEEP NORTH. If you could get a snap or 2 ot the Chinatown development, it would be appreciated.

[Danubis]

9 stories? about 35m ya?

[DEEP NORTH]

Love the facade on Civitas - interesing form-wise. The huge rooftop canopy is a good idea to keep the top couple of floors a bit cooler. Looks great.

BTW DEEP NORTH. If you could get a snap or 2 ot the Chinatown development, it would be appreciated.

Muse, sorry its taken me a while to respond. Here is stage 1 of the Chinatown development that fronts Smith Street. I guess this could be refered to as the "arse end" of the project - the main front will look out onto Mitchell Street. Not sure when stage 2 will commence, which should include apartments, restaurants and hotels. The 2 buildings shown here are the commercial offices (the multi-coloured building), and the carpark (the moroon building next to it).

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF1732.JPG

[CULWULLA]

view from lev12 of pandanas
april12

http://www.gwelodevelopments.com.au/gallery/albums/pandanas/levels/panoramas/pano_lvl_12.jpg

[Muse]

Muse, sorry its taken me a while to respond. Here is stage 1 of the Chinatown development that fronts Smith Street. http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF1732.JPG:okay: Thanks.

[south]

view from lev12 of pandanas
april12


Darwin is a beautiful little city, just about to be born :cool:
i can't wait.

have to get rid of those parking lots in the CBD though. watch, as soon as they go the atmosphere will change completely.

[cristobal_underscore]

Is that an artificial china town or something?

[Dilaz89]

That carpark looks awesome. Go darwin!

[Qbriserth]

Is that building behind the NAB on the right of the photo a car park? If it is the front face of the building has a good way of showing it isn't one.

[Danubis]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/134638294_39368b274e_o.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/823928011_78f412e2e3_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/354440149_18a43555a7_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/131787502_624e17b932_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/126873199_60299064cb_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/195015239_bd5a2876ea_b.jpg

[CULWULLA]

view from lev21 pandanas
the tower in centre has been darwins tallest structure since 1972 at 72m tall. it was overtaken last week by the rising core of pandanas which is now lev24/75m high

http://www.gwelodevelopments.com.au/gallery/albums/pandanas/construction/070721/S6002362.JPG

[DEEP NORTH]

And yet another 20 plus story proposal! I'm not sure what's driving all this demand, but this was reported in today's NT News.....

Bank site to become high rise

KASEY BRUNT

31Jul07

DARWIN'S old Commonwealth Bank will be turned into a high-rise apartment and shopping complex.

Local developer Philip Grice has lodged an Application for Assessement of the site with the Northern Territory Government.

In the application, the site will be redeveloped into two buildings.

One will be two stories high and the other 22-stories, but it will retain the 1940s look of the Smith St building. It will include shops, restaurants and offices.

The developed site will also contain a 24-suite hotel, 16 serviced apartments and 33 apartments, including six with five bedrooms.

Mr Grice said he was working with a heritage architect from Sydney to retain the older aspects of the site.

"We wanted to retain some of the class of that era," he said.

"There are heritage issues with the building, but we are adapting it and opening up the building so the general public can take full advantage of it."

Mr Grice said the development will boast water views.

"It's an exceptional area and will have sensational views," he said.

Independent MLA Gerry Wood yesterday praised Mr Grice's plan to retain the heritage value of the site.

"It means one of the most important and most recognisable sites in Darwin will be retained ... thankfully it will not be another Darwin hotel," Mr Wood said.

The Grice family formerly owned Barge Express coastal shipping line, which was sold to Perkins Shipping in 1994.

The company was renamed Fannie Bay Investments, which has a focus on real estate in the Darwin area.

[CULWULLA]

hey deep, where would this tower be located?

[DEEP NORTH]

From today's NT News, here are the details, with a render! Man, I hope this is approved. Darwin will be fantastic once all these developments are complete - they've even started some digging for the 24 story chinatown stage 2 tower.

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/Cbank.jpg

[CULWULLA]

nice, very different for DArwin. looks about 70m which would make it the 3rd tallest.
chinatown stage2? whats that one?

[DEEP NORTH]

Its the second half of the built-from-scratch Chinatown development. The first half was a 9 story office block and 6 level carpark. The second stage is proposed to have a 24 and 9 story building.

If you go to the address below, it has the details (second box from the left, top row), plus the COmmonwealth Bank site proposal (first on the left, top row). It also shows the raising of Pandanas by 1 story and raising of Litchfield from 11 to 14 stories (those developers are a little bit cheeky sneeking the extra stories in after the buildings are underway, but they seem to be getting away with it!)

http://www.nt.gov.au/lands/planning/notices/2007/documents/ntnad27july20070726.pdf

According to this the Chinatown stage 2 has been approved yet, but they're digging something up on the site!

[CULWULLA]

^thanks. i asked my contact at GWello devlopments about the extra floor and he said engineers think it may not be allowed. but if it does the roof will look different then current design. yes he mentioned how the litchfiled is increasing 3 floors. You wonder why they didnt design it initinally with extra floors?
anyway its all good.
cheers

[Muse]

Great! Looks like another cool design. Thanks DEEP NORTH!

Stage 1 is quoted in first post on this page. D.N. took a pic to post.

[DEEP NORTH]

Some cranes on the skyline of the Darwin CBD, taken from down near the waterfront project (the dirt patch in the foreground).

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF2053.JPG

[CULWULLA]

wow, look at pandanas rise.
cheers

[finn]

2-8 Harvey St, Darwin

Sorry if someone has already posted info on this - just found it on the Jones Lang Lasalle (http://www.propertylook.com.au/listing/default.asp?lk=89523) website. Site was for sale with DA approval for twin 25 storey apartment towers with 249 apartments in total. Design isn't particularly inspiring (looks very stock-standard Gold Coast, plus the pics are tiny) but they're big!

Expressions of interest closed on 30 August - I wonder if anyone picked them up?

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_44/300/JLL_44_89523_114541.jpg

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_44/300/JLL_44_89523_114545.jpg

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_44/300/JLL_44_89523_114546.jpg

http://www.propertylook.com.au/listings/JLL/JLL_44/300/JLL_44_89523_114544.jpg

[CULWULLA]

thanks finn, we know of this project but it maybe the Sunrise project?
nice renders. there actually 30storeys/ i contacted architects and they said there approx 90m.

heres a quote i posted a while back>
4041 - Sunrise Towers (not Sunset!), Lots 7276-7277-7278 Harvey St. / 2 x 30 storey towers / 249 apartments / developer = APP Adelaide, S.A. / marketing-feasibility in progress,

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9477/sunriseha1.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/3053/sunrisetwsj5.jpg

cheers

[CULWULLA]

ok, ive located where towers will go. right in middle of old refinery site?
are those parks planned or existing?

red= Sunrise towers
blue=Evolution
green= pandanas

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/661/sunriisesiteej7.jpg

[DEEP NORTH]

All those tanks were removed years ago, but they haven't been made into parks yet. Its still just bare ground.

[CULWULLA]

thanks. should be awesome in a few years once parklands are created. sort of like a hyde park or similar.

[DEEP NORTH]

From today's NT News

Our 1.5 Billion Dollar Skyline

CRANES are dominating Darwin's skyline as the Territory embraces an unprecedented billion-dollar construction boom.

At least 13 cranes are scattered across the CBD, working on commercial and residential projects worth almost $1.5billion.

And up to six more could be in the sky by Christmas.

Territory Construction Association chief executive Craig O'Halloran said the Territory had been in an economic boom for the past two years and it was expected to continue.

''We have got more cranes in the sky than ever and we have got another five or six to go up before Christmas,'' he said.

Housing Industry Association NT branch manager Graham Kemp said the cranes reflected a city that was going ''gangbusters''.

''I would defy anybody to find the same number of cranes (in the CBD) in Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide,'' Mr Kemp said.

Heading the building boom is the $1.1billion Darwin Waterfront development where three cranes are assisting construction.

Two cranes are towering over the Esplanade as work continues on the $100million One30 development.

The $130million Saville Pandanas in Knuckey St has two cranes.

Mr Kemp said a huge demand for inner-city apartments was helping drive the construction boom.

Residential developments under way include the $85million Evolution development in McMinn St, the $46million Arkaba House in Harry Chan Ave and the $10million Skyview Apartments in Woods St.

Mr Kemp said investors from southern states were buying the apartments as they offered a better return than investments there.

And young professionals were choosing to buy or rent apartments in the city for lifestyle reasons.

''We have got a younger average age than anywhere in the country,'' he said.

''An apartment in the city is an attractive option when you don't have to cut lawns, pick up palm fronds and you can go out partying each night and walk home.''

[cristobal_underscore]

Ooo glory, rejoice.

[CULWULLA]

yes its a great time for Darwinese.

[Theville01]

FAR OUT GO DARWIN, dam for a city with not a very big population you doing great, Better than Townsville, how many 20+ story highrises, only if Townsville had a CBD lookin like Darwin, ONYA DARWIN!!! I got to check it out, maybe for a holiday?

[Theville01]

Whats the shopping like? any double story shopping centres.

[DEEP NORTH]

And just to prove the article wasn't lying, is it Dubai? No... Darwin!

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF2063.JPG


Unfortunately though, TheVille, we still don't have any 2 story shopping centres, and none in the CBD at all. Hopefully this will be remedied with time.

[Theville01]

WOOOW that looks orsome as :lol: and its only darwin

[JayT]

And just to prove the article wasn't lying, is it Dubai? No... Darwin!

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF2063.JPG


Unfortunately though, TheVille, we still don't have any 2 story shopping centres, and none in the CBD at all. Hopefully this will be remedied with time.

OMG - thats pretty cool. Once Darwin has a decent skyline I think population growth will skyrocket.

J

[Mesh22]

OMG - thats pretty cool. Once Darwin has a decent skyline I think population growth will skyrocket.

J

Not everyone in the country get wood for highrises like us freaks in this forum. :lol:

[JayT]

Not everyone in the country get wood for highrises like us freaks in this forum. :lol:


I know but once Darwin gains a physical recognisable image as a "city" that people can actually see, people will think differently about moving there.

J

[CULWULLA]

anyone know what crane is for in this pic>

http://www.gwelodevelopments.com.au/gallery/albums/pandanas/construction/071005b/S6003214.JPG

[Qbriserth]

I don't know where to put this article; however it is a little interesting, lol when I was looking up to find out what building in Brisbane starting with "H" may get a overhaul for another post... i found this....

(possible) HILTON HOTEL for TIWI ISLANDS
ALISON BEVEGE

03Oct07

A HILTON hotel could be built on the Tiwi Islands as traditional owners prepare to call for partners to help develop accommodation on the island at Nguiu.

Hilton spokeswoman Charlotte Seymour yesterday denied the international hotel chain had immediate plans for a Tiwi hotel but said the chain would look at it in the future.

The hotel group had been rumoured to have earmarked 100ha on Bathurst Island for a potential resort but held back over doubts about tenure.

Tiwi Land Council development adviser Brian Clancy said while he had not heard of the reports, islanders wanted to be involved in a hotel.

"There is no accommodation at Nguiu," he said.

"Government and other workers who come to visit for three or four days have to fly in and out every day."

Mr Clancy said traditional owners would call for expressions of interest for partnersin a hotel development on the island.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Hilton are involved - they'd make money out of it," he said.

He said a hotel would be guaranteed guests "52 weeks a year" without even factoring in tourist visitors.

Traditional owners would want to be active partners in the development and would expect employment and training programs, Mr Clancy said.

"That would include up to management levels," he said.

Securing a new hotel development would hinge on certainty of tenure.

Mr Clancy said while Tiwi Islanders had accepted 99-year-lease deals over the townships, that agreement covered 400ha around the community.

A resort of 100ha would most likely fall outside the community, which would mean a separate negotiation with traditional owners and the land council.

The Federal Government lease deal took two years to negotiate.

Remote indigenous communities are recognising their tourism potential, with Groote Eylandt opening up to tourism last month.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2007/10/03/2237_ntnews.html

[CULWULLA]

^how far is tiwi is from darwin?

oct1 update

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5499/darwindiagramoctrl5.jpg

[Ordex]

what's the population of Darwin these days guys?

[CULWULLA]

i think 106,000. the pop predicted for 2021 is 185,000

[CP Doom]

[QUOTE=DEEP NORTH;15491451]And just to prove the article wasn't lying, is it Dubai? No... Darwin!

http://www.image-upload.net/files/6210/DSCF2063.JPG


Fantastic pic. I must show this to a bloke I know who was in Darwin just after the bombing & back there not long after Tracey. When he was telling me about the place a few years ago, he said darwin would probably amount to nothing much. Wonder what he would think of this?

[finn]

i think 106,000. the pop predicted for 2021 is 185,000

According to latest ABS stats Darwin had population of 114,368 at June 30, 2006.

[Qbriserth]

Yesterday 11:21 PM
[QUOTE=CULWULLA;15827223]^how far is tiwi is from darwin?

Tiwi Islands (Melville & Bathurst) are 80km North of Darwin.

The Hilton Hotel is so far only proposed for the future as you will see in the article.

[Qbriserth]

According to latest ABS stats Darwin had population of 114,368 at June 30, 2006.

After Darwin, Palmerston and the rural areas make up for another 20,000 + people, with palmerston i think having another about 25,000 ?????

so if Darwin city has 114,368 PLUS the darwin greater area = about: 45,000 people this area would equal already about 160,000 people....

Also with QLD getting its local government council reform & amalgamations, so is the Territory. I think Darwin City council will swallow up quite a bit of land from other areas making it a larger council area. I may be wrong, but I think I read somewhere in the news it does.

[finn]

After Darwin, Palmerston and the rural areas make up for another 20,000 + people, with palmerston i think having another about 25,000 ?????

so if Darwin city has 114,368 PLUS the darwin greater area = about: 45,000 people this area would equal already about 160,000 people....

Also with QLD getting its local government council reform & amalgamations, so is the Territory. I think Darwin City council will swallow up quite a bit of land from other areas making it a larger council area. I may be wrong, but I think I read somewhere in the news it does.

No, that population I posted is not Darwin City Council, it is the Darwin urban area as defined by ABS which includes Darwin City, Palmerston-East Arm and Litchfield Shire.

[staminous]

City of Palmerston has 27,000 people. It's 4th fastest growing city in Australia. Grew by 2,300 people alone last year. The city is fast approaching 30,000. This year it has surpassed Warrnambool, Burnie, Devonport and Goulburn in terms of population.


In 2007, Darwin, Palmerston, Humpty Doo has a population of just over 139,000
112,000 for Darwin (up from 108,000) and 27,000 for Palmerston.

The ABS predicts Darwin and suburbs to have a population of over 184,000 by 2020. And local and federal government are planning for that figure.


It is predicted that Darwin's population will overtake Geelong, Cairns and Townsville.

Palmerston's rising population growth has called for the proposed Light Rail development to be put back on the agenda.

from ABC NEWS:




LGA wants Darwin-Palmerston light rail link back on agenda
Posted Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:42pm AEST

Map: Darwin 0800
A Northern Territory representative of the Local Government Association says the development of a light rail link between Darwin and Palmerston should be back on the agenda.

Peter McLinden says rising fuel costs, traffic congestion and concern over carbon emissions is forcing interstate authorities to improve public transport sustainability.

He is attending the National Local Roads and Transport Congress this week and says the Territory needs long term planning.

"I think there should be consideration given to light rail and public transport in general," Mr McLinden said.

"Your bus routes and how you link, it's going to be higher on the agenda for all governments to address public transport and other alternatives to stop the carbon [emissions]."





Palmerston booming, housing industry says
Posted Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:09pm AEDT

Australia's Housing Industry Association says the Darwin satellite city of Palmerston is going through one of the largest population booms in the country.

New figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the population in regional areas is growing faster than most major cities.

The association's chief economist, Simon Tennant, says concern about steep housing prices in metropolitan areas is pushing young people out of cities.

Mr Tennant says the Darwin CBD is bucking that trend, with 6 per cent population growth, but Palmerston is growing even faster.

"[It's] 26.2 per cent population growth and when we consider that Australia's growing at 1.3 per cent it's quite a remarkable figure," he said.

"[It's] $67 million worth of building work and that's not just housing, it's also housing and

[nOchAos]

Airport approves $100m Darwin shopping centre (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2085204.htm?section=justin)

The company that runs Darwin Airport and a Sydney-based development group have reached an agreement to build a $100 million shopping complex in Darwin.

The 45,000 square metre centre will be built on eight hectares of airport land on the corner of Bagot and McMillans Road, with work expected to start in 2009.

Airport chief Ian Kew says the new complex will attract large retail stores.

"Retailers that need quite a bit of space to display and sell their goods [will be interested], so we are quite keen to bring a development like this to Darwin, to improve retailing and give people better choice here," he said.

[Qbriserth]

I don't know if anyone has looked at this but the site contains statistics, information, on weekly results of: Average Values, Costs of homes, units as a % for sale in Darwin, Palmerston & Alice.
http://nthomes.com.au/darwin/nthomes.nsf/Homepage?OpenForm

On this site, it shows a google map with links to each development site whether it is under construction, proposed and completed recently.

http://nthomes.com.au/darwin/nthomes.nsf/Developments?OpenForm
All of the below are currently under construction unless otherwise stated: Developments include a run down of who is the developer, how many units, info on size of units, average costs, expected opening dates, features etc.
Developments include photos and maps of exact location for:

13-14 Dashwood Place
6 Cardona Court
Arkaba House
Civitas
Envy
Evolution
Litchfield Apartments
Merkur Court (proposed)
One30 Esplanade
Outlook (completed)
Pandanas
Pinnacle
Skyview
Waterline
Wharf One

[CULWULLA]

great stuff

[seanoff]

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/seanoff_2007/waterfront1512.jpg

Waterfront 15/12/07

[CULWULLA]

pandanas sure does dominate skyline.soon to be eclipsed by 2 floors with Evolution.
cheers

[Leaper]

Anyone know how these constructions are progressing through the wet season. Didn't a cat 2 cyclone go through?

[Gertzy]

^^ Yes, Tropical Cyclone Helen struck a few weeks ago, abeit, roughly 50km south of the city, so afaik, not much damaged has happened to Darwin, and Cat 2's aren;t really anything to worry about when it comes to these projects, its Cat 4's and 5's that particular attention is needed.

Townsville has had alot of Rain, alot, and most projects are waterlogged and small delays might have occured. The same thing will apply with Darwin.

[Danubis]

^^ Yes, Tropical Cyclone Helen struck a few weeks ago, abeit, roughly 50km south of the city, so afaik, not much damaged has happened to Darwin, and Cat 2's aren;t really anything to worry about when it comes to these projects, its Cat 4's and 5's that particular attention is needed.

Townsville has had alot of Rain, alot, and most projects are waterlogged and small delays might have occured. The same thing will apply with Darwin.

i thought they geta cat 2 every arvo in the wet season? :P

[§æµ]

Does anyone know what happen to these?

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/Darwin20Towers20Pic.jpghttp://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/01658533525400.jpg
$500m twin towers plan
By EMMA GUMBLETON
16dec06

AN ARCHITECT wants to build a futuristic gateway to Darwin's city centre with two giant towers _ one 55 storeys and the other at least 35.

The Darwin City Gate development _ estimated to cost between $300-500million _ is planned for the corner of Daly and McMinn streets. Both towers would be taller than the Territory's tallest building _ the 33-storey Evolution apartment block, which is being built on McMinn St.

The 55-storey tower would be about 200m tall and would be linked to the smaller skyscraper by a bridge across Daly St. City Gate could be finished by 2012.

It will house 12,000sqm of retail and 40,000sqm of office space, a 300-room 4 or 5-star hotel and more than 200 apartments. The higher levels, floors 51 to 55, are planned to contain a communications tower/centre, observation deck, restaurant and art gallery.

A second bridge will wind over the major intersection to the old railway line path. Capital Architecture director Peter Villis said he was planning for a Darwin 10 to 20 years into the future.

``Planning in Darwin allows for 40 storeys and I think the next level of development that needs to emerge in this city, looking at its long-term growth, is 55 storeys,'' he said. ``But in addition to that, the height will allow it to be more significant than the Waterfront, which is going to be something like 23 storeys.

``This project is visionary and will bring change to Darwin. It is at the outer edge of possibility and that's what vision is about _ it leads people to the next step.''

Mr Villis said the next two years would be spent in public consultation and formal planning approval. After that, City Gate could take three years to build.

``This is the entry of the city and should be the entry _ if you look at it at the moment it looks like the back end of town but it should actually be the front end,'' he said. ``In Darwin today, I wouldn't want to lodge an application. But it's something we don't want to do until people understand and agree with it.'' Mr Villis said he was in talks with department stores to take up retail space.

The building is designed in the shape of a gecko, tying in Aboriginal culture and the tropical environment.

[CULWULLA]

flushed down the toilet

[§æµ]

Thanks

[wilkiebarkid]

City of Palmerston has 27,000 people. It's 4th fastest growing city in Australia. Grew by 2,300 people alone last year. The city is fast approaching 30,000. This year it has surpassed Warrnambool, Burnie, Devonport and Goulburn in terms of population.


In 2007, Darwin, Palmerston, Humpty Doo has a population of just over 139,000
112,000 for Darwin (up from 108,000) and 27,000 for Palmerston.

The ABS predicts Darwin and suburbs to have a population of over 184,000 by 2020. And local and federal government are planning for that figure.


It is predicted that Darwin's population will overtake Geelong, Cairns and Townsville.

Palmerston's rising population growth has called for the proposed Light Rail development to be put back on the agenda.

from ABC NEWS:




LGA wants Darwin-Palmerston light rail link back on agenda
Posted Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:42pm AEST

Map: Darwin 0800
A Northern Territory representative of the Local Government Association says the development of a light rail link between Darwin and Palmerston should be back on the agenda.

Peter McLinden says rising fuel costs, traffic congestion and concern over carbon emissions is forcing interstate authorities to improve public transport sustainability.

He is attending the National Local Roads and Transport Congress this week and says the Territory needs long term planning.

"I think there should be consideration given to light rail and public transport in general," Mr McLinden said.

"Your bus routes and how you link, it's going to be higher on the agenda for all governments to address public transport and other alternatives to stop the carbon [emissions]."





Palmerston booming, housing industry says
Posted Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:09pm AEDT

Australia's Housing Industry Association says the Darwin satellite city of Palmerston is going through one of the largest population booms in the country.

New figures by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the population in regional areas is growing faster than most major cities.

The association's chief economist, Simon Tennant, says concern about steep housing prices in metropolitan areas is pushing young people out of cities.

Mr Tennant says the Darwin CBD is bucking that trend, with 6 per cent population growth, but Palmerston is growing even faster.

"[It's] 26.2 per cent population growth and when we consider that Australia's growing at 1.3 per cent it's quite a remarkable figure," he said.

"[It's] $67 million worth of building work and that's not just housing, it's also housing and

The Greater Darwin area population as at June 2006 was the 114,000 figure. This is inclusive of Palmerston and Litchfield Shire populations. It certainly isn't close to 139,000. I lived in Darwin for 13 years and have always been keen on its progress and growth and have continued to keep an eye on its population.

[wilkiebarkid]

Whats the shopping like? any double story shopping centres.

One part of Casuarina Shopping Square is two level with a food court at ground level and malls and stores on the upper level. The cinema complex is also on another level in another part of the complex. There is also three level car parking. Casuarina Square would have to go close to being Australia's largest shopping centre without a department store. It has discount department stores such as Big W and K Mart and I believe expansion plans may include a Target.

[Qbriserth]

"In 1997 Casuarina Shopping Square, the Territory’s largest shopping complex, achieved the second highest national sales turnover per square metre of floor space for all Australian shopping centres in excess of 30 000 square metres; it has been ranked first in this category for the previous two years."

"Stage One of the redevelopment to Casuarina Square, which commenced in October 1996, was opened in November 1997 and consisted of a New Generation Woolworths supermarket, and 24 new specialty stores."

"Stage Two extensions to Casuarina Square, consisting of 30 new stores, will gradually open over the first half of 1998. The extensions, which will increase the total retail floor space of the Centre by 34.9% to approximately 49 500 square metres, will cost $75 million. A seven cinema complex is also to be completed at the centre by the end of 1998."

I think this was the largest Woolies in Australia in terms of floor space in 1997. The Coles supermarket there is open 24hrs/7days I think too....

I think the Cinema complex ended up having up to 10 screens.
Quote taken from http://www.nt.gov.au/ntt/financial/9899bps/bp5/ch_13.pdf

Of course this is complete, however I must say, when you are there, it looks to be just as big as a mall in the suburbs of Brisbane. I think it has over 3,500 carparking spaces.


Yeah I read somewhere online (alas forgot the site name) there is to be
a further expansion is currently in the planning stages to increase floor space by up to another 10,500 sqm.

There is then this FTP site.....It dates back to 2005 and 2007, which includes aerial photos, plans etc....
http://theoakgroup.com.au/casuarina.html
alas i didn't think one would have master plans etc on a major mall here.....

[wilkiebarkid]

Casuarina Shopping Square has tried several times to lure MYER to various expansions to the centre, however due to supposed population and logistical issues it has failed to eventuate.

Perhaps the problem with a southern-style department store is, that it really does milk the four seasons of fashion to death and this doesn't suit Australia's only true tropical market.

Maybe the only way to measure Darwin's real commercial size is to use the number of MACDONALDS outlets or COLES and WOOLWORTHS stores. Let's face it you need a certain population and disposable income to sustain a high number of these retail operations.

[crawf]

Yeah thats probably why Darwin doesn't have a Myer department store, but then again Darwin already has the southern-style discount department stores and fashion outlets plus the city already has got a pretty big population (cities smaller than Darwin already have Myers) and a growing wealthy population.

[Brizer]

Distance/transport costs/profit margin = no Myer?