I noticed today there is a crane on the Metropole site and the core is starting to rise so I started a construction thread about it.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/pe7a9839d91eba62f51bbed0a123f8819/fce5e4a0.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/pe7e451fd3e2c83b462321bf1151edfee/fce5e4a2.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid43/p0d3b2cdee69579c821bf6a6733bc9077/fce5e4a3.jpg

Should be the tallest in that part of town being on a hill!

jt

http://www.realestatelogic.com.au/prim/met.jpg

Here is what the 38 story tower will look like.

jt

I'm looking forward to this one.
It will beef up that corner of the CBD no end :)

It's an interesting tower too.

Good work Jayt. I might go in tomorrow when no one is around and get some snaps.

<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>Good work Jayt. I might go in tomorrow when no one is around and get some snaps.</td></tr>
</table>
Can you get a photo of the Casino Towers site while you are out?

This is the tower the architects told me they reduced each floor by 150mm to save costs thus reducing its overall height by 10m, from 130m down to 120m.
anyway its a nice res tower! should look good in its location!:)

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by duke </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by BrizzyChris </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Good work Jayt. I might go in tomorrow when no one is around and get some snaps.</td></tr>
</table>
Can you get a photo of the Casino Towers site while you are out?</td></tr>
</table>
Did that! :) I'll post my pics soon.

This is from Dec 26th.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/chrismayhew59/brizzy004.jpg

Fingers crossed!

Nice going, guys.

This tower will fill that (last occupiable) corner site nicely, and certainly densify the area.

BTW jayt, is there still talk of development on the park royal site?

Fanku.

The site behind the Park royal that has the Budget rentacar place on it was due for a new development. My partner actually new the developer who used to come into the bar at the Park Royal (now royal on the park), and he showed him the plans for a 70 storyish apartment tower which was to be roundish with spirals up it or something. I never saw the plans and my partner isn't realy good at describing them either. I think the idea is on hold as I haven't heard anything of late. Perhaps he was frightened off by what the Premier said>(

As for the Park Royal itself there is some gossip that it will be demolished in about 5 years. It is currently owned by the sultan of Brunei. There are no actual plans for it yet though.

Great photos BTW Chris.

JayT

Thanks.

In regards to the Park Royal site. If they did demolish and decide to build a new hotel on the site, I think there is a 10 storey height limit on Alice St now, so anything bigger would have to built on the Margaret St side of the site.

<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>Thanks.

In regards to the Park Royal site. If they did demolish and decide to build a new hotel on the site, I think there is a 10 storey height limit on Alice St now, so anything bigger would have to built on the Margaret St side of the site.</td></tr>
</table>

I hope they do demolish the Royal on the Park (rebadged old Park royal). The place is a dump, I stayed there and I broke some toes on the stupid bed leg!

This tower seems to be rising now, the core is well above street level.

jt

bump

I work next to this building, it's fairly interesting to watch it go up...

So how much progress has Metropole made?

It seems to be going through that slow period at the moment - all buildings seem to. I am sure that it will grow rapidly when it picks up because its very skinny.

Will this be the tallest in the Capital Hill district?
jt

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by museumb </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>So how much progress has Metropole made?</td></tr>
</table>

They're still on the carpark levels, must be level 3/4 by now? not sure. They seem to work in bursts, some days you can see them pretty much adding a whole level, then it goes quiet for a while.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by CULWULLA </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>This is the tower the architects told me they reduced each floor by 150mm to save costs thus reducing its overall height by 10m, from 130m down to 120m.
anyway its a nice res tower! should look good in its location!:)</td></tr>
</table>

Jayt

It won't be the tallest according to this earlier post in this thread by Culwulla

This one is a bad picture, because of the shadow, but you can see the progress of Metropole above street level.
Taken 14 June 2003

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/p6b817e283ce10b1fae841aa9884cab55/fbee7fa4.jpg

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by brissyThomas </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>This one is a bad picture, because of the shadow, but you can see the progress of Metropole above street level.
Taken 14 June 2003</td></tr>
</table>

Yeah, I can see it from above/side, they've been on the top carpark level for the last few weeks. Not alot of visible movement really, but I'm sure alot is happening with foundations etc for the 'living' section.

Found this extra large picture - love the top!
http://www.australiaforyou.com.au/images/scans/metropole_large.jpg

jt

The core has just risen above the base carpark level in the last day or so... It had been hiding for a while...

How is this one coming along? Core/floor number?

Its moving very slowly.

Its unusual though because although the core is at about level 6 or 7 and only about 5 levels have been poured the interiors like windows and fixtures are being added to the first levels of apartments - only about 2 levels below what has currently been finished. Its very strange.

Perhaps they want to build a show apartment and have it up and running before the tower goes any further.

jt

Photo taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/1novmetropole1.JPG

Nice to see how it's coming along, since I don't work next to it anymore...

This tower really seems to have been forgotten by a lot of us. I guess its easy to forget its getting built since its heavily surrounded by other buildings, but it should look quite good when it starts poking above the other buildings around it.

When this building is complete it should tower over its neighbours and will be very obvious from the freeway and also from southbank. I guess people will start to take notice when its height begins to shoot up.

They're up to level 10 at the moment. Expected completion date is supposed to be end of june. I cannot see that happening though. It has taken ages to get going.

Taken today (17-11-03). If it doesn't work, do the cut and paste thing.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/pc35aa163ce18b09f7b92162a3d1fa055/fa8a1ad6.jpg.orig.jpg

Photo taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decmetropole1.JPG

Wow, someone has been busy today!! Thanks for all the photo's duke - your effort in bringing us construction pics is much appreciated by all.

Thankyou.

JayT

BTW, I noticed that Metropole seems to have shot up in the last few weeks. Perhaps they will go faster now.

jt

I've been keeping a keen eye on this one, and is construction pace has definately accelerated in the last month.

The core is definitely visible from the freeway now and this one will stick out more than we think!!

Driving across the freeway today, and what do I see Metropole, sticking out from all the clutter!
I couldn't believe I could see this little fella from the freeway!

Taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/25jan04metropole1.JPG

great pic. all brissys towers are rising fast!
cheers

Originally posted by CULWULLA
great pic. all brissys towers are rising fast!
cheers

Three floors higher since last photo on 7 December.

Originally posted by CULWULLA
great pic. all brissys towers are rising fast!
cheers

You've got to be kidding. Gold Coast towers are rising at least twice as fast. Look at the Towers of C of R and Q1 for examples. :?

Originally posted by felix
You've got to be kidding. Gold Coast towers are rising at least twice as fast. Look at the Towers of C of R and Q1 for examples. :?

Just because something is 'faster' doesn't make something not fast. :baaa:

I like the green-glass shades on the top of the podium.

Originally posted by felix
You've got to be kidding. Gold Coast towers are rising at least twice as fast. Look at the Towers of C of R and Q1 for examples. :?
true, i wasnt comparing, but GC towers are rising fast too! everythings rising fast! shit ive got some bread loaf in the oven, thats rising fast too! gotta go>>:eat:

Originally posted by BrizzyChris
I like the green-glass shades on the top of the podium.

I think what you are referring too are the nylon 'tool catchers' (for lack of knowledge of the technical term). These are just there for the construction to ensure someone doesn't drop a hammer and have it fall throught the roof of the building next door. ;)

Taken today 05 Feb 04:
http://img16.photobucket.com/albums/v48/teeza/000_0125.jpg

From river park central
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0637/101400637bl1078796190.jpg
jt

oh my god that is a awful view, look at all the bare and dirtied concrete. Though i will admit those buildings could look quite spectacular with a little scrub, paint and cladding!.

Urgh that looks like a city in the Ivory Coast! Everything looks so dirty.
The Executive Building reminds me of a big coc-chip cookie! Education House needs a scrub, maybe some TNT!

any recent pix of Metropole?

any recent pix of Metropole?

Taken yesterday - although I was really trying to get a photo of the crane rising! (If you look closely you can see the next section of tower positioned next to the top of the tower). Has gone up 5 floors in the last two months.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/03apr04metropole1.JPG

thanks duke! looks about 25 floors + core.

Urgh that looks like a city in the Ivory Coast! Everything looks so dirty.
The Executive Building reminds me of a big coc-chip cookie! Education House needs a scrub, maybe some TNT!

This would be the corner with all the government buildings... not a big incentive for beautification when your tennants are guaranteed.

On the first page of this thread, the render now shows as the dreaded x...So here's the render again from a different source:
__________________http://www.granford.com.au/images/metropole1.jpg

This quote from CULWULLA 3 weeks ago:Thanks duke! Looks about 25 floors + core.Hopefully since then it has risen at least another 2 levels.

Metropole will be 39 levels above ground @ 120m/394ft. Anticipated completion, late 2004.

Hopefully one of our trusty Brisbane forumers will take construction update pics very soon and count how many foors above ground it has risen. :) ;)

Photo taken today - as requested! 22 residential floors by my count.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/24apr04metropole1.JPG

GREAT PIC ALWAYS DUKE! i count 22 also + 4 storey podium and core, so approx lev27? or 80m

Photo taken yesterday. The sky garden on level 26 is now apparent.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/13may04metropole1.JPG

what have they done to the side of that building to make it look so grotty? Half a coat of underpaint or something??

They seem to be experimenting with different finishes.

So another 10 floors to go, plus the pinnacle bit.

what have they done to the side of that building to make it look so grotty? Half a coat of underpaint or something??

The pattern looks almost symetrical to me, centred on the fold in the side facade. Look at the way the colours on the main side wall are extended to the concrete balustrades on the balconies. This makes me think that the paint job is in fact deliberate - the final exterior paint job for the building. Interesting yet tacky at the same time.

At least its not another tuscan yellow/orange tower!
:bash:

Looks like they're 'testing' the colours and how they look from that side...

Just looks like random blotches to me, painted on wherever they were up to at the time someone asked them to try a certain colour.

Here's some shots of Metropole taken yesterday. Not much changed since duke's pic, there's a closer pic of the top area...

http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0276.jpg
http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0277.jpg

Took these today...(sorry for slight blurriness)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p1ca5bc71230a13916b7fb45142b8e846/f83be2b7.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p2809a4a68f2f6887bfea0cdc8fa775fd/f83ba814.jpg

Crane was climbed 4 towers today not sure how far this one has to go before topping out?

I heard one of the riggers may lose his finger after the climb. Best Wishes and a speedy recovery to him from everyone here (I think I speak for all on this)

Took this shot today..
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid123/p7fab7d33909feff561ad1f2a8e37d4a7/f8231324.jpg

Nice to see a slightly different angle blend. Have to make the best of it now because Festival Towers and Skycorp building will block that view totally in a couple of years.

Metropole disturbs me somewhat because of the very large areas of blank concrete - particularly on the Southbank/river facing side.

Yeah I agree with you about the areas of blank concrete duke - I have also been a little concerned about how that is going to look. Perhaps a nicer building in front of this one would do the trick hehe!

I've been meaning to take a photo of that side actually... will have to get out and about again sometime.

Is this it? i took it on the 17th with the others... but i really cant remember where i took it. I thought it was metropole but didnt want to make a fool out of myself by posting it.

but oh well, is this it?
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/p955904f096bbcf13b062bdb573202cf7/f83be2bf.jpg

Although the building shapes appear fairly similar that is not Metropole, it is River Park Central which is on the other side of Mary Street between Albert and Edward Streets.

i was confusing myself with that more because the cranes look the same, and that tree looks in the same place as both.

It's quite visible from Southbank now (photos today):

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

http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/thumbnails/thumb_DSC08344.JPG (http://www.shadodotnet.net/photos/brisbane/20040625/images/DSC08344.htm)

Shado, your second photo shows the large blank wall I referred to previously to perfection - what a wasted opportunity!

Shado, your second photo shows the large blank wall I referred to previously to perfection - what a wasted opportunity!http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/html/emoticons/blink.gif Ewwwww! Smello!

...and I must say Shado that your blowups and other pics on shadotnet.net are really big 'n clear http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/style_images/Xpressio-492/icon6.gif - Worth the effort for those who like nice big recent, gutsy 'n real pics of Brisbane @ http://www.shadodotnet.net

There's more-than-likey a parcel of land with an envelope on that side of metropole just waiting for another 40-50 level number.

Next to that blank wall (for the first 9 stories anyway), is the David Longland Building, the current home of QSuper. I'm not sure if they're moving to a new bulding in charlotte street or not. But I imagine that it's probably a few years befrore they're ready to demolish this one.

Given that the blank wall is the side of the Lift Core, maybe they decided that the views were better looking the other direction, not that there is much more than a blank wall on the other side either. I wonder if there was some sought of engineering reason for the core to be on that side.

This is why tall thin buildings (aka Emerald / Metropole etc) suck. In order to fit everything in on such a small site, you need a fire escape, lifts and a corridor between apartments, and they all have to go in the middle.

Metropole is currently looking amazing now!! How tall and skinny will this thing get anyway - it looks taller than 130m even now. It now is very visable from Southbank and towers over everything around it.

jt

Noticed the concrete placement boom being removed yesterday,looks like she's topped out,core box should start coming down on the weekend

so its level 32 to floor plates + 3 in core= 35, so 4 more to top out?
cheers

Some shots of Metropole taken yesterday.

Taken from near the Convention Centre
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_1024x768_01.jpg

More of the big concrete wall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_768x1024_02.jpg

From in front of Festival Towers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_768x1024_03.jpg

Trying to get a closer look at the recreation level
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_1024x768_04.jpg

Usual shot, getting higher
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_768x1024_05.jpg

Side shot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20040811_768x1024_06.jpg

maybe we can look forward do some nice artistic feature on the blank wall... maybe even a spotlight!!

Given the colours of the building, assuming they're similar to those that have been tested , I think an aboriginal painting flowing down that wall would look fantastic, better than just a blank wall and would look great from Southbank.

yes. they definitly need some feature, otherwise this will be an eyesore.

I doubt whether they will do something to that blank wall.

I do love this building however. I love how it is so skinny and I actually love the concrete. Also in Ausilencers last post in the third pic down it is increadable to think that between Metropole and where the photo was taken there will be two even bigger towers!!

That whole area = density to the max!
jt

as much as i like these buildings (sarcasm) i wanna see some office buildings soon (by some i mean more than 50% are office)

Given the colours of the building, assuming they're similar to those that have been tested , I think an aboriginal painting flowing down that wall would look fantastic, better than just a blank wall and would look great from Southbank.

I'm not always the greatest fan of aboriginal art, I think it can look really good or really bad. (eg. love the qantas 737, but hate the bluish 747 - it's probably just me hehe). After saying that, if it is done well I think an aboriginal painting is an absolutely fantastic idea for this wall!! And light it up as well! That's my 10c

Don't get me wrong, aboriginal art is great, but I just don't get the significance of it on an apartment building....

Great pics Ausilencer!

Yeah i agree with an aboriginal design or something (doubt it will happen though). But yeah that blank wall looks really bad. I cant believe that design went through, the architects responsible for that are probably slapping themselves.

Metropole must be pretty close to topping out within the next month. The building is 38 levels which mean there will be twelve more above the skygarden on level 26. At the moment 8 levels are revealed above the sky garden and there looks to be two more in the jump frame. That means only two more rises of the jump frame to go. It also looks as though the core box is starting to be dismantled.

Core box was being dismantled this morning.

cool pix, thanks for updates

Core box gone this afternoon!

Very close to topping out. This close up shot shows the top floor detail.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/12sep04metropole.JPG

Metropole uncovered! Taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/18sep04metropole.JPG

lol, i saw that bose skywriting being written while i was having lunch at tongue and groove today...

great updates duke!
finally there. hope soon they splash some paint on that bloody blank wall.

I wonder if they've actually chosen the colour yet CUL lol... It seems they've had trouble deciding - unless they're going to use all those colours at different stages up the tower...

noticed 2 triangular fins on this one today

as shown in model?>
so its now topped out at 120m!

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid143/pcc839d33e1b0b7d1220f7b28d204aa29/f690403c.jpg

yea like that. thnx cul for pic

is it 120 to top floor or 120 to tip of the triangular blades?

So Is it finished yet or is there a bit more to go.

So Is it finished yet or is there a bit more to go.

It's currently getting the painting treatment. Besides that it's done although still has the crane up

Photo taken today from Mary Street. According to render the stripy finish on the left hand side is the final colour.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/24oct04metropole.JPG

Tower crane on the way down..

Yeah, thing in the paper today about Mary Street being closed for 2 min blocks throughout the week and then completely closed on the weekend as they remove the crane...

is it 120 to top floor or 120 to tip of the triangular blades?
its 120m to blades. 110m to roof.I remember back couple of years, it was going to be 120m to roof but developer cut floor to floor size from 3m down to 2.85m so they could save money but keep the same amount of floors -38.
going by model colours, it looks like it will also be painted in reality too!

This question is more directed towards Favelle or any other crane operator, how does someone get a job as a crane driver/operator? Who can you contact, what experience or courses/study do you have to do, if any !!?

One of my employees come up to me and said her son wants to become a crane driver for high-rises??

I thought, well - I know just the place to ask.......

Walked past the Metropole this morning - the podium is being finished off and looks great!!! If anyone has a camera around town today take a snap of Metropoles podium. It is very arty and very different to any of the renderings we have seen.

Looks great!!
jt

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/24oct04metropole.JPG

i dont understand what those grate things are on each apartment? is it like a little 'outdoor' room or something... the dont look the best.

Just thought I'd Bump this up - the tower looks finished and nobody has even noticed. Its been nearly 7 weeks since the last post on it.

BTW the new paint job they did over Christmas looks great. It looks bigger than 120m.

jt

They were paving the footpath outside today. Those barriers are shitting me off that they have that make you walk out into the middle of Mary St and you have to dodge traffic and people as you're walking past. Its friggin' dangerous.
Does anyone know what they're putting in down the bottom? ie: Cafe, Restaurant or shops????

ill try to take a pic/pics on monday

Photo taken of the podium today - an artwork in its own right!

http://home.iprimus.com.au/johnthay/photos/15jan05metropole1.JPG

i like that podium !

why couldn't they have made the rest of the tower with such flair?

Taken January 23rd:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Metropole_20050123_768x1024_01.jpg

large white wall ey.
Ive already seen it when i was at south bank on monday, but bleh.

At least its able to be built out

wow, turned out brilliant! with many new towers, theres is NO way out of having a blank wall here or there, especially if it shares a common boundary with another site.
9/10

I have to admitt this one has turned out better than I had expected - it really looked quite depressing when it was underconstruction...

On Saturday there was an ad in the courier mail for a "39-storey botique apartment tower". Wondering whether this might be new I had a look at the site and it turns out it was metropole. (No mention of it in the newspaper ad though).

http://www.greatrealty.com.au/_datafiles/project/13/1.640x480.jpg

http://www.greatrealty.com.au/_datafiles/project/13/3.640x480.jpg

That's a bit of a newy. Not that it disguised itself per se but that boutique is usually reserved for like 5-6 storey jobs.

Yes, well Metropole doesn't exactly scream boutique which is why I thought this mysterious tower might be new.

Love the podium. Let's just hope that a new State Govt. tower on the surface carpark on William St will hopefully block most of the wall.

Perhaps we should rename this thread "Metro 21" because that is what the building is now called - or what is on the podium name.

jt

Here is a pic of Metro21' tower's new Podium - its quite good.

http://img133.exs.cx/img133/9063/picture0041ux.th.jpg (http://img133.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img133&image=picture0041ux.jpg)


jt