Demolition work has commenced on the Casino Towers site. There are barriers across the George Street frontage and across the boundary on the rear laneway which will provide car park access.

Multiplex have the contract with a planned 83 week construction schedule.

cool! this is one of many that will start up over the next few months in Brisbanes CBD! Its a nice looker and i think it will be 130m/40st?
Will it be Brisbanes tallest residential tower on completion next year before Aurora tops out?

Originally posted by CULWULLA
[/B] Will it be Brisbanes tallest residential tower on completion next year before Aurora tops out? [/B]

I don't think so. Felix and River City will both top out before Casino Towers and both of them are around three metres higher than Casino Towers. Casino Towers will however have a higher above sea level height.

Riparian will also top out before Casino Towers.

Originally posted by duke


I don't think so. Felix and River City will both top out before Casino Towers and both of them are around three metres higher than Casino Towers. Casino Towers will however have a higher above sea level height.

Riparian will also top out before Casino Towers.

thanks duke! yeah i thought of Riparian, but its a mixed tower (11 st-carpark-20 st-office, 20st-res) not purely residential like Crown & Aurora etc.

cheers

So River city is 130m and Casino Towers is 129 metres right?

What is the official height of Felix?

Isn't it around 125 metres excluding the "fins" on top?
I've been confused concerning it's height ever since they added 2 extra floors....

The fins on top of Felix IMO should be counted as part of the height. If so, I believe the height is around 130m, which is about the same as River City, but I have never seen proper confirmed heights for either buildings, nor for Casino Towers. Culwulla, can you help us out?

Demolition of existing buildings on site almost complete. Rubble being removed - line up of tip trucks down Charlotte Street!

looking from southbank the other day, casino towers will really fill a big gap in the skyline. Queens square will help with that aswell i spose.

so felix is only 130m when you include the fins. I'm very disappointed with that. Has anyone got the official height?

Well, Culwulla has said 130m, so I guess he might have talked to the architects.

Dec 25th:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/chrismayhew59/brizzy014.jpg

Sorry its so dark, but it was about 7pm.

lets hope this one gets a move on, very interested to see the finished product:)

Same here, it will be a very good determination of Devine's ability to make a quality exterior facade still look good on completion.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by BrizzyChris </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Same here, it will be a very good determination of Devine's ability to make a quality exterior facade still look good on completion.</td></tr>
</table>

the only "quality" part of the facade is the base, which was meant to be stone when the project was Llama........I bet they change it to crappy precast - like the back of macarthur central:moods:

It's good to see them getting their arses into gear! Brisbane will be a city of cranes in the next few years.

JayT

Work was underway today on site and on George Street where they are starting to erect the construction awning over the footpath (is there a correct name for this awning?).

Went in with my new digital camera to get some shots - discovered when I got home that I accidentally took them all in close up mode! Oh well, there's always next week!

Assuming I actually get some decent photos, how do I arrange for them to be viewable in the thread?

just upload them onto www.imagestation.com and then post the url onto here with the [ img] url address.... [ /url]

These are with no spaces

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p8c3a6aca66613a2e7d0dc5b7ab9f44ae/fcc14199.jpg

Just testing image posting! Only decent photo I had!
Obviously not Casino Towers!!!

its better if you only post the smaller pic

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid47/p8c3a6aca66613a2e7d0dc5b7ab9f44ae/fcc14199.jpg

usually the big pic doesn't work, but the smaller one does.

Another test!

I think i've got it! This one is from my office in Milton looking towards Toowong (can just see the dark blue tower) and Auchenflower towers on Coronation Drive.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/milton.JPG

Is that from the new rail museum at Ipswich? I've always wanted to go there.

jt

Yes it is. Well worth a visit, but make sure you get an annual membership (double the price of a single entry). Lets you visit as many times as you want to - plus all other Queensland museums - Science Centre etc!

Devine have updated their website with photo and construction update. This is text from www.devine.com.au

Earthworks are now underway on the Casino Towers site.

This follows demolition of the existing building, Morcome House, during the Christmas period and the subsequent gathering of geotechnical information.

By mid January 2003, excavation, underpinning of nearby sites, and relocation of existing services had begun.

Hopefully it will be at a decent height by October, so people watching the Rugby World Cup might get to see some shots of the city and all the buildings u/c. :)

Photos taken today.

George Street frontage.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/georgestview.JPG

Rest of the photos are from the rear lane which will provide car park access.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/siteworksfr.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/siteworksfl.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/siteworksleft.JPG

This is underpinning work for adjacent building.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/underpinning.JPG

good shots duke, keep em coming

One thing I realised the other day is that with all of the old buildings around Casino tower, if Devine decide to skimp on the building material down the bottom it is going to stick out like dog's balls.

Checked out progress today. Underpinning, excavation and other site works are continuing. Doesn't look substantially different from photos posted 26 Jan. Will post more photos when they show something different!

Checked site out last night. Still at earthworks stage. Was a bit hard to see in the dark, but I don't think there have been any concrete pours for the foundations.

As at 26 February there were (according to Devine's report to the Stock Exchange) 186 units at unconditional contract status with a 10% deposit paid, a further 23 units under contract and the balance of 5 units unsold.

Still at earthworks stage today. Retaining walls on boundaries seem substantially complete. No concrete poured for foundations yet.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/march161.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/march162.JPG

I guess it will be another couple of months at least before we see anything above street level.

Progress as at 30 March.

Some fairly deep excavation underway, some foundations have been poured and steel reo is on site.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/march301.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/march302.JPG

From Devine's website

March 2003 - Delays on Casino Towers Construction

Multiple delays occurred in Casino Towers construction – with rainy weather, remedial works on a nearby building and industrial action.

By mid March work was continuing on Casino Towers earthworks at 151 George Street, Brisbane.

Underpinning of George Street and buildings surrounding the site has been the major single activity and new equipment was introduced to provide additional excavator power during the month.


I checked out progress on Tuesday (8 April). Work has now progressed and the first of the foundations have been poured. Jackhammers were hard at it digging holes in the rock. Crane is due to be erected in early May.

Photos taken this afternoon.

This shows the base of the crane in place - taken from George Street.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13april_cranebase.JPG

This is the back corner of the site, again from George Street. Temporary steel struts supporting adjacent buildings can be seen.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13april_above.JPG

This is the site from the rear lane.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13april_rear.JPG

Good Friday update.

Second crane base in place (to the far right of base in last photo in previous thread).

Reo for first carpark pillars in place.

Will post more photos when cranes are up.

Latest update from Devine to the Stock Exchange yesterday.

With construction having started on 9th December 2002, the foundation
work for the Casino Towers project is well advanced. Construction of
the residential development is forecast to be completed in August
2004. Only 4 of the 214 units remain unsold.

First crane has now been erected. This is view from Queens Park.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/may11crane.JPG

Foundations are proceeding well. This appears to be the foundation for the building core.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/may11corefound.JPG

Last shot is of the crane forest in this part of CBD (still to be joined by second Casino Towers crane). Crane to the right of Casino Towers crane is 33 Charlotte Street (111 George 'twin'), cranes further to right are River City.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/may11cranesandmorecranes.JPG

Latest update from Devine website:

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Casino Towers Construction Update

Two cranes are expected to be installed at the Casino Towers site by mid May, heralding the start of construction proper on the 39 level tower.

Since December last year, excavators and work teams have been involved in earthworks and underpinning of nearby buildings and George Street.

With this work at basement three level, bulk excavation was nearing completion by the end of April, and a great deal of preliminary work was under way for construction to begin.

Architects were involved in final trade package negotiations, and slab profile plans were being developed, co-ordinated and issued for construction.

Second crane has now been erected.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/25maytwocranes.JPG

Building core is also underway.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/25maycorestart.JPG

Latest from Devine's website.

Wednesday, June 4, 2003

Casino Towers Construction Update

Concrete is now being poured for lift cores at the Devine Casino Towers project, 151 George Street, Brisbane.

This follows several months of earthworks, which were rain affected, and substantial underpinning of street and nearby building work.

Construction cranes are now on-site in preparation for the work involved in taking Casino Towers to its 39-levels over the next two years.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_may03a_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_may03b_large.jpg

7 June

Excavation and perimeter retaining walls is almost complete.

Core box now in place - should expect to see it start rising soon!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/7junecorebox.JPG

Last night I was in the valley and I walked past the Property Direct office, and they had a model of Casino Towers lit up at night. The whole tower was lit up blue, it looked really cool!

Does anyone have any renders of what its to look like?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Rusty </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Does anyone have any renders of what its to look like?</td></tr>
</table>

Have a look at Devine's website at http://www.devine.com.au/casino/

Has renders, full floor plans, views, etc.

Core box (and the core itself of course!) has started its move up. Compare this photo taken today (21 June) with 7 June photo below.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/21juncasinocore.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/7junecoreboxback.JPG

WOW! That's going up quick.

jt

It'll probably still move quite slowly during the lobby construction stage, but hopefully it will fly up after that.

Core box has moved up another notch!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/29juncasinocore.JPG

First above ground carpark slab formwork is taking shape.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/29juncasinoslab.JPG

Taken today, 13 July

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/casino1307031.jpg

A few more from today! The core box is now visible from Queens Park.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julcasino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julcasino2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julcasino3.JPG

Photos taken today. Core has moved up again, first above ground carpark slab is complete and carpark perimeter walls are progressing well.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/27julcasino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/27julcasino2.JPG

Great pics Duke, thanks for taking the time to get them.

Good pics duke.

Even the harshest cynics have to concede that devine finishes their projects on schedule, which is especially nice because I dont want to wait for this tower - it will be far and away their most attractive.

Noticed today that one of the cranes was being dismantled. Does anyone know why this might be?

Originally posted by duke
Noticed today that one of the cranes was being dismantled. Does anyone know why this might be?

Mystery solved!

The Lindores crane that was taken down yesterday has been replaced by a Devine crane. Now two Devine cranes on site. Cheaper to use your own than to lease someone else's.

I presume Devine own a couple of tower cranes but the second one had been in use at River City.

And here they are!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augcasino1.JPG

Devine have an update on their site.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_aug03_large.jpg

Completion date has slipped back a month to September 2004. Core is at level 3 and first two basement suspended slabs are complete.

The George Street level slab was being poured this morning.

Taken today 6 September 2003

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/casino0609031.jpg

Photo taken 20 September.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/20sepcasino.JPG

Core has had a good rise. Columns for first above street level have been poured and formwork is starting to be placed for next slab.

does anyone have a render of casino towers from southbank angle? just interested to see if it fills that queen street gap well or not...

It should hide that Telstra building which can only be a good thing. From Southbank the city will look quite different in a couple of years with metropole on the right, casino towers in the middle plus festival towers and Brisbane square to the left.

Originally posted by bribri
It should hide that Telstra building which can only be a good thing. From Southbank the city will look quite different in a couple of years with metropole on the right, casino towers in the middle plus festival towers and Brisbane square to the left.
I'm not quite sure if Casino will hide the Charlotte Exchange. It is a far bit to the right of Casino Towers, down Charlotte Street, so I think it still will be noticeable, but it may draw the eye away from it.

One pretty average pic, you can see 111 George St "twin" rising up in the background too :D

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/casino1.jpg

From the Devine website

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Perimeter walls, and the ground level concrete pour, are important new stages of the Casino Towers construction.

The ground floor will ultimately house the exclusive building’s impressive entry and retail areas when completed a year from now.

Latest reports put the perimeter wall construction at levels one and two, while the most prominent section of the building, the central lift core, was at level five.

Two large on-site tower cranes bearing the Devine name are reminders of the continuous growth of the building.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_sept03a_large.jpg http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_sept03b_large.jpg

Shouldn't be long now until we can see something other than the lift core from the street. Formwork is in place for the first above street level slab and there was also formwork visible to the left of the liftcore last weekend.

One of the cranes is now substantially higher than in the photos from Devine's website. It also looked as though they were getting ready to raise the second crane

in 4 months time this whole area will look like one big construction site. Casino, 111 George st and Queens Central(Brisbane Central). it already looks hectic coming from southbank, with another 3/4 cranes it should look even better.

A couple of photos from today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/25octcasino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/25octcasino2.JPG

Love the way the canon is pointing right at it. I wonder if this is good feng shui?

jt

Photo taken today.

Note that protective screen now stretches entire George Street width.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/1novcasino1.JPG

I was in the city today and noticed that virtually all of the builder's huts on George Street along with the scaffolding they sat on has gone. The public footpath now goes through the building - presumably to free up the real footpath for loading and unloading construction materials.

Left hand crane has been lifted way up so that the top of the tower is level with the top of the Family Services building.

Thanks for the updates. Looking forward to this one rising (at last).

Photos taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7deccasino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7deccasino2.JPG

Photos taken today. Podium must be very close to being completed now.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/10jan04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/10jan04casino2.JPG

The scale of the podium fits in very well with the adjacent streetscape.

Podiums are limited to 15m in height. So its very likely that the podium has now reached its full height.

Good updates Duke.

And I'm glad to see the good old Pancake Manor is still going strong.

Originally posted by Aussie Bhoy
Good updates Duke.

And I'm glad to see the good old Pancake Manor is still going strong.

Yeah, and still one of the only 24 hour food places in brissy :) (decent food places...)

Thanks for the info B2, I didn't actually know that podiums were limited to 15m, is that a BCC dictation?

Originally posted by Ausilencer
Yeah, and still one of the only 24 hour food places in brissy :) (decent food places...)

Thanks for the info B2, I didn't actually know that podiums were limited to 15m, is that a BCC dictation?

The current BCC cityplan dictates that podiums cannot exceed the 15m mark. Balustrades may extend 1.2 metres above this mark.

The only exception to the rule occurs in cases where the adjacent buildings are of heritage worthy nature. If their facades are over the 15metre mark, new developments may lift their podium height to 'fit in' with the scale of the streetscape. This will typically apply to new developments that occur in the Adelaide St, Queen St and Elizabeth St retail area. I believe that Queens Plaza has been allowed to rise above 15m at the boundary due to this exception.

Taken today. This shows the first variation from the renders - all of which show three lines of "portholes" across the carpark. There are now four rows visible.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/25jan04casino1.JPG

progressing well! thanks for updates!

Yes, there's that variation (4 rows) - and maybe it's just me, but the holes for the portholes look a lot smaller then in the renders as well - perhaps they will appear larger when the actual facade is added (hoping that something will be added and it's not going to be left as it is..)

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, although the top row of "portholes" does look a lot larger.

Starting to make its way up there now. Picture taken today 7/2/04

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/p54e42dd346b766d2a339ab2e786ebdcb/f9b2431f.jpg

Thanks for all the updates today Chrisso, good job.

I was talking to a foreman on site today. He said that the last carpark slab (level 6) is complete, that they were pouring perimeter walls today and that one section of formwork for the level 7 slab has been started. He expected that it would take another 2 weeks to complete that slab - the last part of the podium which is also the floor for the first level of apartments. After that we should see the tower rise by a floor or better per week.

He also said that the precast panels which are to cover the podium facade are due to be installed fairly soon after the podium is complete.

Front wall of the podium is now complete - including the gap where the glass panels for the front of the pool will be installed.

Devine's half yearly financial results published by the Stock Exchange report that due to construction delays with foundations and site access (?) Casino Towers completion is now expected in January 2005.

Latest construction update from Devine's website:

Friday, February 27, 2004

Out of the ground - and rising
….completion due February 2005

With a large structural element that transfers the load from its residential floors to the columns and walls down to the basement scheduled in March, Casino Towers is now well out of the ground.

This transfer floor work at Level 7 will require 1360 cubic metres of concrete - about 11333 barrow loads - and will be poured in a 12-hour shift.

Devine says the project is on track for a proposed February 2005 completion date.

The builders’ hoist has now been installed, commissioned and tested. This hoist services the lower car parks and up to within two floors from the working deck.

Further planning and designing has been undertaken on the climb-form system to be utilised on the external walls and two additional core systems

All services have been installed to all basement levels, and mechanical, electrical and hydraulic services installed to the upper car park levels.

The builders have progressed with the design of the glazing to the pool at podium level and co-ordinated the design with the structure for the support of the glazing.

Programming has also been undertaken for the installation of the precast concrete facade panels, which are currently stored off site.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_feb04b_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_feb04c_large.jpg

Nice. I'm looking forward to the facade going up. This seems to be one of the cities forgotten towers at the moment. No doubt interest will increase once they hit the residential floors.
Thanks for the updates.

looks like the core box is about 40m. it looks same height as adjacent Admin bldg which is 40m tall.

Looks like quite a hefty footprint, particularly depth-wise. The render doesn't quite display that.

A bit concerned about the front facade of the base. So far looking very Telstra big-box behind the mesh.

The render from Devine's site appears to show the facade panels with rounded ends.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/buildingpic3.jpg

Level 7 slab was poured over a 12 hour period starting last Tuesday (9 March). Formwork appears to be in place for first colums above level 7.

A couple of photos taken today from BCC model.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/12mar04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/12mar04casino2.JPG

Yesterday I noticed the SECOND CORE rising up behind the first one.

Yes this tower now has TWO separate cores!!!

jt

Devine's construction update on 27 Feb stated in part that "Further planning and designing has been undertaken on the climb-form system to be utilised on the external walls and two additional core systems".

Not sure what these extra cores would comprise. Floorplans on website don't make it clear.

Anyone got any clues?

Had a look today and it appears that the two additional core systems are for the rear sections of the building which jut out. (At the top of the plan below)

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/plans/level1328plan.gif

Couple of photos from today.

First one from George Street showing one of the two additional core systems and some of the tower columns.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/27mar04casino1.JPG

Second one is a distance shot (sorry, no optical zoom!) from the top of the Wintergarden carpark in which you can see the second new core system through the gap.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/27mar04casino2.JPG

Picture taken yesterday 3/4/04

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/p683ff2eb11c31a032c9a595979c0b6fb/f92398eb.jpg

Photos taken today. Level 8 floor slab has been poured and level 9 slab is expected to be poured next week.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/24apr04casino2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/24apr04casino1.JPG

Photos taken today. Level 9 slab was poured this week as expected. Level 10 slab may be poured late next week (only a four day week due to Labour Day Monday holiday) or early the following week.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/01may04casino2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/01may04casino1.JPG

From Devine's website.

Monday, May 10, 2004

Ready for 5 day floor construction cycles

Casino Towers Builder teams are finalising preparations to construct a new floor every five days.

This follows installation of the formwork systems and subsequent fine tuning, together with meeting materials handling challenges for above groundwork.

With the climb and jump form systems reported to be operating well, construction is now set to proceed quickly. Latest reports put the lift core construction at level 13 and the floor plates poured to level 10.

Workers expect to remove scaffolding at the front of the site soon so they can install the building's precast concrete facade.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_may04a_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_may04b_large.jpg

every 5 days! wow, cant wait for that.bout time this project gets going!
Rialto in Sydney was about that fast! it is a concrete core/precast panel skyscraper! it went from a 5 storey podium to 46floors within a year!

Lets hope this one moves as fast

@culwulla

Casino Towers is all poured concrete. Has the central core, two additional rear core sections and four climb and jump form systems. By my reckoning floorplates are relatively small at aound 950 square metres (around 36 metres wide by 27 metres deep).

Taken this morning

http://img63.photobucket.com/albums/v192/chrisso/Brisbane/Cas_150504_1.jpg

Photos taken today. Level 11 floor slab poured this week. Preliminary formwork for level 12 slab in place. Top visible window openings in rear core are for level 13.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/22may04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/22may04casino2.JPG

Shots from a couple of different angles this week. Level 12 floor slab poured. Formwork commencing for level 13. Windows, doors and balcony railings being installed on levels 7 and 8.

Now starting to be visible above surrounding buildings. This shot from top end of Queen Street Mall.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/30may04casino1.JPG

From corner of Elizabeth and William Streets.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/30may04casino2.JPG

Head on shot.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/30may04casino3.JPG

Latest update from Devine.

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

At level 15 and rising

Casino Towers is now well and truly reaching for the sky... the lift core poured to level 15 by the end of May and additional climb and jump forms poured between levels 11 and 14.

Isolated delays continue to construction, due to industrial action, site difficulties and inclement weather, and installation of formwork systems is proving time consuming.

Nevertheless, the builder, Multiplex is confident of installing floors on six-day cycles.

The layout for the ground floor has been finalised with the design incorporating the actual layout of the retail lots including intertenancy walls and the provision of the services.

Purchasers of the retail tenancies have had the opportunity to install additional services during the construction stage of the project to avoid the costly installation of services through common areas following completion.

This will also ensure that the retail owners have the greatest flexibility in the end use of the lots.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_june04b_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_june04c_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_june04a_large.jpg

Photos taken yesterday with my new toy (Canon A75).

First one from Southbank.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/05jun04casino1.JPG

Second one from Queens Park.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/05jun04casino2.JPG

Once more good updates Duke, what is the ugly building in the first shot that blocks the facade?

And in front of it, is that the old mueseum that has the big mural?

Once more good updates Duke, what is the ugly building in the first shot that blocks the facade?

And in front of it, is that the old mueseum that has the big mural?

The building is the original Brisbane Public Library which was established in 1896 and opened to the public in 1902. It was the forerunner of the current State Library of Queensland. In 1959 Centennial Hall was added to the building and in 1966 it was remodelled, giving it an extra floor and an extended mezzanine. It was closed to the public in January 1988 prior to moving to its new building at Southbank.

Source: http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/corp/slqhistory.htm

From memory it does have a large ceramic mural on the corner of William and Elizabeth Streets.

Thanks Duke, the building seems to be lacking the majesty of the Sandstone buildings around Queens Park. I guess we are looking at the back wall, and they probably didn't care how it looked from the river back then.

Took this shot today standing over near Brisbane Square, Casino Towers is starting to poke out from other angles...
http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0708_640x480.jpg

Good photo. Not too long till the residential floors are visible from that angle - rather than just the cores.

im gonna try and get some photo's on thursday.

Starting to uncover the podium in preparation for installation of the final precast facade panels.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/19jun04casino1.JPG

U reminded me.... Heres 2 i took on thursday.

One from the albert street entrance to the myer center... down form hungry jacks

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/pe96976b27949c483ea2a4ca6b6f91c15/f836018f.jpg

and this one form southbank
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p39303d93545d768a3e25a9890e16d74b/f8360188.jpg

Duke: i tried about 3 times to get a picture from out the front there... every time it would come back with the buildings totally black and the sky bright. I gave up and went elsewhere, so nice work getting the shot.

The 350 on the right was climbed today the left one probably tomorrow or wednesday

The 350 on the right was climbed today the left one probably tomorrow or wednesday

Am I correct in my assumption that these cranes are owned by Devine and operated for them by Lindores under contract?

Both cranes have now been climbed. Photo on page 3 of today's Courier Mail has Casino Towers in the background with one up and one down!

Another couple looking across the river today:
http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/thumbnails/thumb_DSC08345.JPG (http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/images/DSC08345.htm)


http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/thumbnails/thumb_DSC08402E.JPG (http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/images/DSC08402E.htm)

Just realised that by clicking on those you get great enlarged shots. Plus access to an awesome album of 44 Brisbane pictures. Great stuff Shado!

A couple of photos taken yesterday.

First one with more of the podium uncovered.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/26jun04casinol1.JPG

Second one taken from same spot as blend's - corner of Albert and Elizabeth Streets. Level 15 floor slab poured this week. Top windows in the rear core are level 17. Main core at level 18.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/26jun04casinol2.JPG

nice pics! what is the podium going to look like? I didnt see it in the renders..

nice pics! what is the podium going to look like? I didnt see it in the renders..

It's going to have precast sandstone coloured panels to match the surrounding heritage buildings. See http://www.devine.com.au/casino/index.html for the render.

Looks like residents and guests alike are going to have views from the elevators back over the CBD.

Looks like residents and guests alike are going to have views from the elevators back over the CBD.

No! The rear cores form the bedrooms of the rear apartments which jut out at the top of the plan below. The central core contains the two lifts and fire escapes.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/plans/level1328plan.gif

A definate "No!" (exclamtion mark even). http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/errrr.gif

Can only tell be your great updates 1000k odd away by the comp. chip.

As we can cleary see by the floor plan, this isn't the case. It would have been nice instead of more balconies. Devine's web site is not one that I rush to for reinforcement.

Errrrr, thanx ummmm, gulp duke. http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/errrr.gif

No! The rear cores form the bedrooms of the rear apartments which jut out at the top of the plan below. The central core contains the two lifts and fire escapes.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/plans/level1328plan.gif

How many apartments are there in this tower? Because I am surprised at there being only two lifts! I've heard complaints from a friend living in a 13 storey 56-unit apartment tower because they only have two lifts!

How many apartments are there in this tower? Because I am surprised at there being only two lifts! I've heard complaints from a friend living in a 13 storey 56-unit apartment tower because they only have two lifts!

214 apartments. The current standard in Brisbane appears to be around one lift per 100 apartments. Felix, recently completed, has 253 apartments and three lifts. Aurora, with around 470 apartments, was designed initially with four lifts but I believe they added an extra one in an amended design before construction commenced.

Casino Towers also has a third "shuttle" lift which operates from the carpark levels to level 7 - the podium level.

Felix is actually quite nicely done. It facade echoes well with a few skyscrapers down the river.

I personally think that Devine should be banned from building more cookie-cutter 40-storey stuffy buildings in Brisbane in the next decade. How many more Albert Towers, Edward Towers, Elizabeth Towers are we going to tolerate?

To live up to its name of Casino Tower, shouldn't it incorporate at least part of the architectural style of the Casino heritage buildings? Why not make it a smaller, but a much more exclusive project that pays homage to the name it borrows? I stayed at the Conrad Casino Hotel the first time I visited Brisbane and it was one of the best hotel experience I've had. I can't see why Casino Tower cannot be this neo-classic architecture catering only to the most discerning clienteles?

Oh well, I am sure they ran some numbers on the project and decided that the current way is the most profitable one. Perhaps not a bad thing after all, it won't cause too much heartache in another 50 years if we decide to tear it down to make way for better architecture.

[QUOTE=duke]A couple of photos taken yesterday.

First one with more of the podium uncovered.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/26jun04casinol1.JPG
QUOTE]

Just a reminder of what the finished project should look like, with Duke's great picture above to compare.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/buildingpic.jpg

even thought it is just a Devine box, i quite like it. I dont know why... that render just makes me like it. Maybe it will look crap finished but i like the render

^^Only early days, I know, but from what I can see from the construction pics, it's gonna look better than the renderings!

It looks like they've gone with a darker grey paint in some of the tower's segments, meaning that it will have a greater level of contrast than the rendering shows! :)

@CarolBrissy and Blend

Check out this website for the history of this project pre-Devine.

http://www.llama-apartments.com/site.htm

Casino Towers maintains the external appearance with the internals redesigned to increase the number of apartments from around 120 to 214.
The developers of Llama were unable to achieve enough sales to make the project as originally designed viable.

Latest Devine update.

Thursday, July 1, 2004

Construction picks up pace

A noticeably accelerated rate of construction now marks the Casino Towers project as work powers ahead on typical floors.

Reports in late June put Multiplex workers pouring level 15, with confidence high they will achieve a 5-day floor cycle soon.

The lift core was at level 19 and other vertical elements were being poured progressively between levels 16 and 18.

Glazing was underway on levels 9 and 10 and balcony balustrading installed on level 9. Wall framing and services installation was also underway up to level 10.

The podium scaffolding has recently been removed from site, which will enable the installation of the building’s precast concrete facade.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_july04b_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_july04a_large.jpg

I am really liking this one
But was thinking only two lifts hope they are fast

I think it would look alot better if it wedged out along the entire length.

Formwork for level 17 slab is underway, top window openings in rear cores are at level 19 and central core appears to be at level 20.

Everything is one level higher than last week.

Photos taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/18jul04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/18jul04casino2.JPG

Cranes are on the rise again. Right hand one (viewed from George Street) was climbed Thursday night/Friday morning. Left hand one can't be far behind a rise.

they need to demolish McFarlain house and those other 2 beside it (are they part of mcfarlain?).... waste of valuable CBD space if u ask me

i tried to work out current height ect. is this close? 20 levels= 66m
has the 40th floor roof level have anything above it? eg LMR or plant ect?

http://img52.photobucket.com/albums/v158/culwulla/crown_towers.jpg

nice diagram..

Speaking of, when will we see your "july status' diagram?

oops, forgot all about it. shit. since its nearly August , brissy will be first in line.

@Culwulla

Casino Towers is slightly lopsided at the moment. Everything is higher on the right hand side! (viewed from the front). Right hand crane is higher, rear right hand core is higher with level 21 window visible and level 18 floor slab is complete on the right with formwork commencing for level 19 floor slab on that side.

Central core has level 22 lift lobby entrances visible.

On the left hand side formwork is still being placed for the level 18 floor slab and the highest visible windows in the rear core are level 20.

This one really seems to be climbing fast, thanks for the pictures Duke.

I can't wait until it becomes a real presence in a view from Southbank

heres one.. a completely different angle taken form level 8 of the kings festival carpark
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Blend/casinotower.jpg

Second crane was climbed today. I took a couple of photos and will post them later if they turned out ok.

Devine has advised that 18 February 2005 is the scheduled completion date for Casino Towers. Will have to maintain better than a floor a week to meet that schedule.

wow, sure making up for a slow start. just like Aurora i suppose.once the typical floor plate form work is put in to place its SHOWTIME!

edited

you can see in this model pic the top floor plantroom is shown above topmost resi floor.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/12mar04casino1.JPG

also 140m+-150mRL seems to be a popular height.
128 Charlotte-RL143m
festival towers-RL140m
MonMary-RL146m
Charlotte Towers-RL150m
River city-RL134m
111 George st antenna-Rl155m
AMP-Rl140m
Comalco House-RL139m
Brisbane Square-RL154m

Someone has their wires crossed Culwulla!

Casino Towers is located at 151 George Street (it does have rear laneway access to the carpark from Charlotte Street).

Charlotte Towers is Devine's next development after Festival Towers, is located at 128 Charlotte Street and is presently being marketed - may start by the end of this year.

^^^
That is what I thought, because I was sure Casino Towers was not connect to Charlotte St.

Charlotte Towers is listed on Skyscrapers.com as 43 storeys and 143m, so if Cullwulla is right about the height, it has lost a floor and 5m. Or SS could be wrong...

In fact Casino Towers seems to exist on some magical level: it isn't on the list of buildings but if you search for it you can find it.

now im really confused??????
dickhead secratary put me through to 128 Charotte sat project. i asked her 5 times are your sure its casino towers that has changed names not charlotte towers???
damn now i feel stupid.
ill ring back again and ask again about casino towers.
dear o dear
orfeo-obviously who ever put charlotte towers height on ss.com was its RL. which happens all the bloody time!!
makes sense

lol @ thw dickhead secretary!

btw, where IS that model of brisbane? (I am relativly new on the forum and have never known)

thanks :)

(looking forward to ur DIAGRAM!!! wheres that preview?)

i rang back woods bagot architects and they actually havent got casino towers project! lol a guy who i contacted originally from Devine has sent me on a wild goose chase. So it was Charlotte towers which is now 128 Charlotte Street!
so ive found out architects for casino tw are Cox rayner. they have still to retuen my call, but im confident its higher than 129m.

blend-the model is located in council i think? below ground in plaza?

lol @ thw dickhead secretary!

btw, where IS that model of brisbane? (I am relativly new on the forum and have never known)

thanks :)

(looking forward to ur DIAGRAM!!! wheres that preview?)

Model is beside the City Council Customer Service area in the main council buildings on George Street.

official height 120m NOT 129m!
plot thickens.lol
i got official height from cox rayner arcs of Casino Towers is actually only 120m above george st. The "RL" is 129.5m to roof and 133m to LMR, and ground level is Rl13m, thus 120m above grd.or 117m to roof.
lucky i contacted or stats would be wrong.
yet another case of RLs as official heights. who is gonna change ssp diagram? no wonder that site is so inaccurate.lol
i can change height figures straight away on ss.com but ssp looses out.
who updates that?
cheers

Yes Cul - the model of the city is located at the bottom of City Plaza, where the library is. Depending on which angle you come in from, take the escalators or stairs down and go right from the library to the back of the circular thing, and it's through there somewhere - I've only been once and my memory is normally good, but not this time sorry - bad directions, hope you find it!

Here's some pics I took of Casino Towers yesterday.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/CasinoTowers_20040811_768x1024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/CasinoTowers_20040811_768x1024_02.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/CasinoTowers_20040811_768x1024_03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/CasinoTowers_20040811_768x1024_04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/CasinoTowers_20040811_768x1024_05.jpg

I've also got a shot from accross Brisbane Square (similar angle to my last shot from that view) but the scaffolding from Brisbane Square is blocking most of the shot so I haven't posted it, but if anyone wants me to let me know. Enjoy (not if you're on 56k [like me!]) - oh well..

you stole my angle! hehe

nice, big, clear shots!

looks to be up 2/3 stories since i took mine.

nice work

Yeah - I thought I had a new angle lol! Then I got back here and noticed you already had it - but I still posted it anyway hehe...

Good pictures, pity about the height reduction.

Formwork is underway for level 20 floor slab. Openings for windows are revealed to level 22 in rear cores.

the people who buy that unit thats right next to the top of the adjacent sandstone building will be able to jump their balcony str8 onto the roof! lol

*off you go kids, go play in the backyard*

haha

Brisbane Square construction cam now gives a glimpse of the Casino Towers corebox. Another rise and it should be fully visible.

First lot of precast facade panels have been fitted. Very high quality finish and very good colour match to surrounding sandstone buildings.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/22aug04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/22aug04casino2.JPG

Devine's announcement to the stock exchange today advised that Casino Towers completion date is now April 2005.

Gee, how does floating on the ASX affect a completion date?

It will be curious to see if only the podium is clad in sandstone panels and the tower component painted. If totally clad in sandstone, it may be this one's saving grace.

Gee, how does floating on the ASX affect a completion date?

It will be curious to see if only the podium is clad in sandstone panels and the tower component painted. If totally clad in sandstone, it may be this one's saving grace.

The announcement was their financial results for the year ended 30 June 2004 which also includes a Directors' commentary on the state of its various divisions and current projects and the future outlook.

I think the renders make it fairly clear that only the podium will be clad in the sandstone finish panels. This will actually help to preserve the streetscape as the podium is of the same scale as the surrounding buildings.

I still am of the opinion that this is Devine's absolute best tower thus far! I am a huge fan of the design of this tower - it is very "Altair" in style (recalling the award winning Engelen Moore design in Darlinghurst. :)

finn, the fact that Devine didn't design the building might be part of the reason it is good...

I still am of the opinion that this is Devine's absolute best tower thus far! I am a huge fan of the design of this tower - it is very "Altair" in style (recalling the award winning Engelen Moore design in Darlinghurst. :)

I agree. I was beginning to see an Engelen Moore quality emerging in this tower.

I hope the sandstone detailing isnt too simplistic. I fear that it might look like a cheap attempt to replicate the surrounding buildings. I was so relieved when the sandstone began to go up. I was beginning to think that maybe they had converted the round portholes to squares and were going to paint the concrete a sandstone colour.

Thanks Devine for not being so Devine! Thats when Devine are at their best.

finn, the fact that Devine didn't design the building might be part of the reason it is good...

Yeah, I know it was originally a Marc Newson design (R.I.P Llama) but it is just so typical of companies like Devine, Meriton et. al. to trash some classy architecture with their cost-cutting mentality. I have a feeling that's what happened when Meriton bought the "Rialto Tower" (formely "Lobana Tower") site/approved DA in Sydney and used that dog-ugly black panelling on the top section - then followed through by decorating it with their own self-congratulatory signage! :|

Of course, we haven't seen the final Casino Towers product yet, but it's looking good so far! I have heard that Devine made a bit of a mess of the interiors (fitting about twice as many apartments into the same exterior shell) but I suppose that was to be expected.

Lol @ Brizbane2: "Thanks Devine for not being so Devine! Thats when Devine are at their best." :yes:

Yeah finn, I think they more then doubled the original apartment amount (if not doubled, then pretty close). I think they decided not to go for the upper-market it was originally intended for...

Went from 120 to 214 apartments. I believe that at the time they pulled the plug on Llama only 20 apartments had been sold. There just wasn't a big enough market for such expensive apartments. I think the design may also have been a bit too radical for the people who had the money to buy such high priced apartments.

I think the renders make it fairly clear that only the podium will be clad in the sandstone finish panels.O.K. True! *crys that the tower component will not also be clad in sandstone* :cry:

Casino Tower's tower component could possibly end up looking like the painted tower component of Lexicon Apartments, perhaps just a tad darker to at least match the sandstone base:

Pic of the completed Lexicon by Ausilencer:

____________http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/503/379lexicontower1.jpg


I still am of the opinion that this is Devine's absolute best tower thus far! I am a huge fan of the design of this tower - it is very "Altair" in style (recalling the award winning Engelen Moore design in Darlinghurst. :)Thus far? Wait until the gold 'n silvery clad Devine/Quest Serviced Apartments, Victoria Point in Melbourne's Docklands is completed...and check out the fabulous mega fin atop!

__________________http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/510/379vicpointrender1.jpg

^^Lol, to tell you the truth Muse, Victoria Point is exactly what I was thinking of when I added "thus far"! ;) But I figured I'd wait till we see some of the cladding before giving it a big :okay: :)

I wish they would build something like Victoria Point in Brisbane. We have such strict ESD rules now they probably wouldn't build such a building.

I don't think we will see anymore like Waterfront Place or AMP.

Best we can do is smart glass I guess.
jt

Latest construction update from Devine.

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Large force of finishing trades
now at work

With Floor 20B poured at latest report – August 17 – many finishing tradespeople are now working on Casino Towers construction.

Handrails to balconies had been installed to level 17, partitions were being set out for construction on level 16 and wall sheeting had commenced on level 14. Joinery installation and tiling also had begun on level 8, the floor where the apartments will be completed first.

MCD have commenced inspection of the unit finishes in conjunction with the services consultants and the architect, and installation of the ceilings and partitions is being monitored weekly.

The report said MCD and Multiplex had begun meeting on the project handover manual and the layered inspection approach that had been implemented successfully on another major Devine project, River City Apartments.

Progress in the recent reporting period has been affected by a number of delays associated with both industrial action and construction industry rostered days off. The outcome of the delays was the site was not able to work 9 typical working days.

Workers have now spent 199,691 hours on the Casino Towers construction.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_aug04e_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_aug04f_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_aug04g_large.jpg

The lowest visible floor above the podium in the second photo looks like a test of the final tower colours - dark grey for the flat surfaces and white for the columns and beams.

Overhead shot from Devine's website.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_aug04h_large.jpg

looks like lev26 in corebox? after its slow start is flying along now!
So current height is 78m, thus another 13st/42m to go.

Level 26 windows are now revealed in the rear core and the central core has had another rise so that the Devine sign is now visible from the Brisbane Square construction cam on 111 George St. Casino's cranes are also on the way up again with the result that Casino towers is starting to hog the view from the cam!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/untitled.JPG

Photo taken today. Formwork is underway for level 24 floor slab.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/12sep04casino.JPG

looks like its risen again compared to dukes pic of sept8

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Blend/casino299041.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Blend/casino299042.jpg

great pix blend. why is the podium bland and windowless>? what is behind?

Good point why is the podium windowless? It looks pretty damn ugly, hope its not going to stay like that.

i missed the sandstone!.... but im sure u all know its being covered in sandstone blocks?

They have a row on the bottom already...
http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/22aug04casino1.JPG


and i believe its carparks?

carparks? that makes sense. keep it out of public eye. would be dark in there?

i think it looks very nice here:
http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/buildingpic3.jpg

those round sandstone holes are bigger then the concrete square holes they're gonna cover up???

Blend's photos make it clear that the holes in the podium are being filled with grilles. So rather than being windows they are actually for ventilation of the car park. Will have to wait to see whether they line up with the port holes in the cladding panels.

wow... good work duke lol. I wouldnt have noticed it if u hadnt said it.

So they arent 'Port Holes' as such, just ventilation and decoration.

IF you look closely you can tell that there are 8 square holes and 7 large port holes with 1 porthole between each set of 4 square holes. It will look quite impressive when finished.

Did that make sense? I probably should have said 1 porthole between each set of 2 holes vertically and horizontally.

Oh Shit, does that make sense???? Im sure you know what I mean!!

I know what you mean GMAC :-)

i made sense of it easily in the first place lol

lol you're right, that makes much more sense, im suprised no one has picked up that the number of square holes never matched the number of round holes in the render!!

yeah, nor did they pick up that the grass is a slightly diff colour in that render... conspiracy?


lol soz... just my way of pointing it out that it is rather an obscure thing to notice. Good work to GMAC for noticing

Level 26 floor slab poured yesterday and additional podium precast panels were being installed today. Guy I was speaking to said the panel they were installing weighed six tonnes. Also said that they are only allowed to install the panels at weekends - presumably for safety reasons as they probably need two traffic lanes closed while they lift them off the semitrailers.

its funny cuz u cant see what the buildings REALLY looks like until u take off the cranes.

IF you look closely you can tell that there are 8 square holes and 7 large port holes with 1 porthole between each set of 4 square holes. It will look quite impressive when finished.

You are correct GMAC. If you compare this bit of the render from Devine's website with my photo it is clear by counting the small square panels that the portholes will in fact be between the square ventilation holes.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/casinotowersfacade.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/12sep04casinocut.jpg

Latest update from Devine's website. This refers to just over two weeks ago so its safe to assume everything is two levels higher now.

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Lift Core pour at Level 29

As Multiplex maintained 5-day construction cycles for each floor, the Casino Towers lift core reached level 29 on September 16, 2004.

Floor slab 24B was in place and glazing and balustrades had been completed to level 20. Wall framing was to level 18 and sheeting had started on the 17th level.

A number of meetings have now also been held between MCD, Multiplex and the artist engaged to provide artwork on the building’s façade and awning.

This is a Public Artwork Contribution required as part of the Development Approval Conditions for Casino Towers.

It will be installed toward project completion to avoid the possibility of damage because of construction activity.

Multiplex reported 8 days lost during the period because of inclement weather and industrial action.

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_oct04c_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_oct04b_large.jpg

http://www.devine.com.au/casino/images/construction_oct04a_large.jpg

the design is so simple but it looks so good.

Good to see them keeping up to schedule (weather permitting) as they planned... unlike so many other ppl making unrealistic predicitons that dont play out.

the design is so simple but it looks so good.

Good to see them keeping up to schedule (weather permitting) as they planned... unlike so many other ppl making unrealistic predicitons that dont play out.

It's actually running way behind time. Was originally scheduled for completion in August (this year). Is now scheduled for completion next April. I presume the bad weather they are talking about was wind which would prevent crane operations.

whats up with multiplex? first riparian and now casino towers. someone please tell me this is out of the ordinary for them. i'd hate to judge them just on these two projects alone.

Riparian is a unique case with its own set of problems.

Casino Towers had foundation problems - aging neighbouring buildings required more extensive underpinning than expected - weather delays at the early stages and difficulties with site access. In common with virtually every other major construction job in Brisbane at the moment it has also been delayed by industrial action, labour shortages and to a lesser extent materials shortages. Felix, Metropole, 33 Charlotte Street and Parklands at Roma Street have all beeen well behind time.

Multiplex is also building Festival towers which is on schedule to be completed in Jan 2006 as originally forecast.

I noticed the other day that the first, and probably by now more, of the portholes has been installed on the front. The holes are a little bit bigger than I had imagined but it will look fantastic.

Riparian is a unique case with its own set of problems.

Casino Towers had foundation problems - aging neighbouring buildings required more extensive underpinning than expected - weather delays at the early stages and difficulties with site access. In common with virtually every other major construction job in Brisbane at the moment it has also been delayed by industrial action, labour shortages and to a lesser extent materials shortages. Felix, Metropole, 33 Charlotte Street and Parklands at Roma Street have all beeen well behind time.

Multiplex is also building Festival towers which is on schedule to be completed in Jan 2006 as originally forecast.

Duke, I swear you must work for the construction company or someone involed in this project. Or do you own an apartment or something? The reason why I say this is because you always have photos of this tower and know quite a lot about it.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

that's just my observations.

Photo taken today from corner of Elizabeth and Albert Streets. Level 30 windows are visible in left hand rear core, level 29 in the right hand one. Central core at level 30 or maybe 31. Concrete pour was underway today for level 28 floor slab.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/16oct04casino1.JPG

Compare with this shot taken on 26 June.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/26jun04casinol2.JPG

PS Rum - I'm an owner - and intending resident - (im)patiently awaiting completion. At this stage will be over three years when we finally move in.

i dont understand whats happening with those windows on the lift shafts? and why does the left one only have one collumn of windows facing us until the top 2, where it goes to 2 windows (the right has two facing us the whole length) im sure this has probably allready been sorted out and explained on here, but i cant seem to find it.

i dont understand whats happening with those windows on the lift shafts? and why does the left one only have one collumn of windows facing us until the top 2, where it goes to 2 windows (the right has two facing us the whole length) im sure this has probably allready been sorted out and explained on here, but i cant seem to find it.

The lifts are all in the central core. The rear cores are actually the walls of part of the rear apartments. This method of construction was apparently chosen to speed up the building process.

wow, the 4month comparison is incredible! my they have been busy little bees!
thanx

hue change
is glass in the windows of the core ?

Anyone remember when this used to be called "Llama" ?

The lifts are all in the central core. The rear cores are actually the walls of part of the rear apartments. This method of construction was apparently chosen to speed up the building process.


how very strange... but why couldnt they make it symetrical?!

Anyone remember when this used to be called "Llama" ?

Yes and until very recently the website was still active (http://www.llama-apartments.com/site.htm) but is now off line.

Brisbane was supposed to be the first of a number of Llama's around the world but the concept has apparently died.

i remember on simcity2000 that you could build a llama dome as a tourist attraction... do you think thats where the developers got their idea?

LOL llama funny work (not)
thanks for explaining about the windows

Anyone remember when this used to be called "Llama" ?Yeah, the famous Aussie designer Marc Newson that lives in London had his name to the design, since chopped up 'n reconfigured by Devine's in-house architects.

Devine have architects? lol!

i remember on simcity2000 that you could build a llama dome as a tourist attraction... do you think thats where the developers got their idea?

I think the name 'llama' just came from the whole designer thing of choosing rather abstract, random, one-word titles for buildings to make them sound trendy. When you think about, the Devine alternative of "Casino Towers" is kinda wanky, and it's difficult to imagine a high-profile designer like Marc Newson agreeing to such a name. 'llama' is a particularly unusual name though...usually the designer names have one-word related to the characteristics of the apartments or complex like 'Vision' and 'Q1' and 'Air (on Broadbeach)' and 'Aurora'.

lol i can see how a freakish donkey sounds trendy

lol i can see how a freakish donkey sounds trendy

Well llama has two l's! That is kinda special. You'll also notice that it was all written in lower-case, despite a name being a noun and requiring a capital for the first letter! The name 'llama' is about breaking rules and using double consonants! Don't you know, this is how you make things trendy?!?! ;)

i thought you just deconstruct something to its raw crappyness, put a cigarette burn in it, get a heorine addict to endorse it, then charge twice as much as its worth and bingo, you've got yourself a whole lot of trendy.

Wednesday 20th October 2004

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/100_1440.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/100_1434.jpg

wow, almost there!
is it 30 floor slab and lev34 in core?
if so only 5 floors to go!

wow, almost there!
is it 30 floor slab and lev34 in core?
if so only 5 floors to go!

Floor slab is at level 28. Core at 31 or 32. (Top tie on right hand crane is at level 23)

Rain over the last few days has slowed things a little.

I thnk it is supposed to go to the top of the triangle part of the spire on 111 George St next door, so still a bit to go.

deleted

More of the porthole panels were being installed today.

I like this Casino Towers. Its Interesting but easy to Design. Infact that side of Town would Devine Country. As there's Festival and Casino UC that part of Town (please dont make a comment like dur how long did it take you to figure that out or something like that as I only live in Townsville). :)

Photo taken today showing extra porthole panels being installed.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/24oct04casino1.JPG

nice.

Preparations underway today for another crane rise. According to Devine lift core is at level 34/35.

whats going to go inside the sandstone circles?

Web cam photos taken this morning and afternoon showing the latest crane rise.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/camera30oct04am.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/camera30oct04pm.jpg

Photo taken yesterday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0478_small.jpg

I like the Porthole panels. Where was that picture taken Ausilencer.

From an office building in the city. Unfortunately it has blinds in the windows which I wasn't able to remove, that was the best I could do.

the govt building above the city library etc, beside Hitachi?

A few more taken today. Top floor slab is 29 so another 10 to go.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04casino3.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04casino1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04casino2.JPG

excellent updates guys.
casino is progressing well. should be nearly done by xmas? lol

It is progessing excellently.

is the facade finished being put in place? it was half on about a week and half ago so should nearly almost all the sandstone should be in place by now...