View Full Version : BRISBANE: Observatory Tower - 24s/80m/res


JayT
February 5th, 2003, 09:40 AM
Well this has been Under Construction in Brisbane's CBD for a few months now. It should be great looking up Edward Street!


http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0051/1580051al1042084048.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2349/1262349ml1036114307.jpg


The View!!
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0051/1580051ml1042084083.jpg

I like this one!

JayT

Mr MacPhisto
February 5th, 2003, 10:04 AM
I was impressed when this was first announced.
It's a great looking tower, I just wish it was a little taller.

The design really does the site justice.

felix
February 5th, 2003, 12:13 PM
how's the sales going?? Does anyone know?

BrizzyChris
February 6th, 2003, 06:41 AM
I think about 3/4 of the apartments have been sold.

hoffburger
February 6th, 2003, 08:54 AM
where bouts is this one situated ?? i keep losing track of all these developments

JayT
February 6th, 2003, 09:00 AM
<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by hoffburger </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>where bouts is this one situated ?? i keep losing track of all these developments</td></tr>
</table>

At the top of Edward Street where it meets Wickham Tce. It is next to the gold glass IBM building on that triangular site.

jt

Brisvein
February 10th, 2003, 09:09 AM
I had a walk past this afternoon and cannot work out what they are doing. The construction worker I spoke to had a brain the size of a pea and couldn't answer a single question I asked him!! lol!

They are up to Wickham Terrace on the pointy bit of the corner but they have only constucted on half of the site- i.e. they have four plus floors built on the half of the site furtherest away from IBM and nothing next to IBM. And there is still no decent crane on site. Anyone have any ideas on this? I have never seen a building constructed this way.

Fountainhead
February 10th, 2003, 10:36 AM
sounds like similar to what they are doing on the lexicon site - they have only built half the podium first last time I went past

might have something to do with their construction programme, rather than an enginnering issue. They will probably locate a crane in the yet-unbuilt part of the site - maybe there was a delay in getting a crane with all the other construction going on in the city???? Also, maybe there is a large transformer / substation or something huge like that, that they need to lift in at a certain stage of construction. They don't really need a crane until they get above ground on wickham terrace so maybe that is what they are waiting for......sounds strange though

Brisvein
February 25th, 2003, 03:53 AM
Okay- I can relax. They have finally put up a decent sized crane on the site. For all the crane buffs out there the view from Wickham Terrcae is sensational. It is right on the point of the block and is as close to a construction crane you can get without driving one! Does anyone have any heights on this particularly in comparison to IBM?

BrizzyChris
February 25th, 2003, 05:16 AM
I estimate it to be about 10-15m higher.

Orodreth
April 5th, 2003, 02:16 AM
Construction pic 05 April 2003

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/p0158df66bfb5f07087dddeed26f68317/fc648a44.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid58/p1259b9d234a1f8eeb3ce5939a22fb86a/fc648a49.jpg

Orodreth
June 14th, 2003, 07:04 AM
This one is taking so long!
Taken 14 June 2003

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/construction/observjun1.JPG

duke
June 14th, 2003, 08:56 AM
<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 taking so long!</table>


Sure is!

Comparing these photos with your April photo all they have managed to achieve in two months is to pour the concrete for the formwork which was in place in April!

Muse
June 23rd, 2003, 09:35 PM
Observatory Tower will be 24 levels above ground and consisting of 114 apartments. CULWULLA's estimated height is approx. 80m.

2 small but clearer renderings c/- blueprintproperty.com.au ....

Edward Street elevation:

______________________http://www.blueprintproperty.com.au/AustlandEmailFiles/images/ot_building_edward.gif

Wickham Terrace elevation:

______________________http://www.blueprintproperty.com.au/AustlandEmailFiles/images/ot_building_wick.gif

Orodreth
June 24th, 2003, 01:24 PM
This tower is going into a pretty boring part of town. Hopefully things will pick up with this. Its on a pretty high hill.

This is one of few big renders that I have come across.

http://img.domain.com.au/img.aspx?src=4375/2003962896_S_1_1.jpg

JayT
June 25th, 2003, 03:17 AM
My only regret with this buildng is its going to hide one of my favorite old buildings in the city - The City Tabernacle Baptist Church in Spring Hill.

The tabernacle gives Brisbane a "San Fransisco" type feeling as it reminds me of the San Fran city hall once distroyed in the great earthquake.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0383/1690383ml1051486077.jpg
Note the dome at center near the Sheraton.
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/4606/1654606al1048217888.jpg
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1503/1601503dl1044589462.jpg
Cool aerial too, it realy shows how big Brisbane realy is.

jt

Orodreth
July 13th, 2003, 05:18 AM
Taken today, 13 July

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/observatory1307031.JPG

duke
July 13th, 2003, 08:24 AM
Good to see some progress. Still seems very slow compared to everything else currently under construction.

Danubis
August 7th, 2003, 08:08 PM
its been about a month since the last pic update with this place, it must be a couple of floors out of the ground by now!! all you digicam people!! where are you!! hehehe

look forward to an update.

Orodreth
August 8th, 2003, 10:37 AM
Originally posted by Danubis
its been about a month since the last pic update with this place, it must be a couple of floors out of the ground by now!! all you digicam people!! where are you!! hehehe

look forward to an update.
I dont think much is changed, if u see my 2 pics aboce, nothing really happened in between those pics, which was a big gap!

Anyway I seem to be the only person taking pics of this, some others should aswell.

Danubis
August 9th, 2003, 12:57 PM
ill go out soonish and get some if thats the case...brb

Orodreth
September 6th, 2003, 02:05 AM
Taken 6 September 2003

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/observ0609031.jpg

duke
December 7th, 2003, 10:05 AM
Photos taken today - still moving slowly.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decobservatory1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decobservatory2.JPG

CULWULLA
February 8th, 2004, 02:43 PM
Gmac has sent me these to post>
its been two months since last lot.
its going well!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126observatory1-med.jpg


http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/126observatory3-med.jpg

BrizzyChris
February 9th, 2004, 06:49 AM
I've completely forgotten this tower was getting built. Everytime I drive past the site, I don't even notice it.

duke
February 9th, 2004, 09:01 AM
Still seems to be progessing very slowly compared to some others eg Casino Towers, RiverPark Central and Metropole.

These two of Metropole over the same period.

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

http://img16.photobucket.com/albums/v48/teeza/000_0125.jpg

Muse
March 25th, 2004, 01:12 AM
This one must be chug-a-lugging along.

Dunno 'bout the huge expanse with the windows and grates. Looks like the back of the building :?

JayT
March 26th, 2004, 03:16 AM
The above pictures arn't Observatory - they are Metropole.

I went past Observatory today and it looks great! It kind of reminds me of Q1, it has curved walls and will great when complete.
jt

Orodreth
March 26th, 2004, 08:51 AM
Originally posted by JayT
The above pictures arn't Observatory - they are Metropole.
jt
JT, if you read the text, you would notice Duke is comparing Metropole to Observatory. Read it again, you may understand.

Muse
April 5th, 2004, 03:07 AM
Maybe it's my fault.This one must be chug-a-lugging along.

Dunno 'bout the huge expanse with the windows and grates. Looks like the back of the building :?This could have read:

"Observatory Tower must be chug-a-lugging along.

Dunno 'bout the huge expanse with the windows and grates on Metropole. Looks like the back of the building."

I must have been having a lazy post-a-reply day. http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/sleep.gif

duke
April 8th, 2004, 10:04 AM
Photos of Observatory taken yesterday. Finally seems to be getting a move on!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/07apr04observatory1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/07apr04observatory2.JPG

Danubis
April 8th, 2004, 04:55 PM
so do the poor office workers in ibm have a big cement wall to look at 2 inches from there window?! hehehe

Aussie Bhoy
April 8th, 2004, 04:58 PM
Sounds like the view out of my office window.

duke
May 14th, 2004, 12:59 AM
The cores on Observatory are substantially higher than the rest of the building. Snapped this shot looking across Post Office Square yesterday.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/13may04observatory1.JPG

Ausilencer
May 19th, 2004, 11:42 AM
Some shots taken today - diff angle - Was a bit of a cloudy day...

http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0340.jpg
http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/Img_0337.jpg

JayT
May 20th, 2004, 08:58 AM
You get a good view comming up St Pauls Tce too - I didn't know what it was at first.

jt

Blend
June 19th, 2004, 12:42 PM
Took these 2 on thursday (17th)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/pf491b45dcb71d16433739f9fc8fbdf9e/f835b9bf.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid122/paa10767afafa8e5297e94177aba8de93/f835b9c2.jpg

duke
June 19th, 2004, 01:26 PM
Has risen by two floors in the last month - a bit slow but at least its growing.

Muse
June 19th, 2004, 01:46 PM
C/- Blend:

http://img62.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/blendpic1.jpg

JayT
June 22nd, 2004, 04:08 AM
Is this the ONLY skyscraper in Brisbane with a decent core. I mean when you look at towers in other cities they all have these massive core's over the main construction. This is the only tower in Brisbane that does that.

Anyone know why?

jt

Favco750
June 22nd, 2004, 01:06 PM
what do you mean by decent?, do you mean tall, or fat???

Blend
June 24th, 2004, 10:52 AM
24th June
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid123/p22d40b5a28984e6940916d410df5003a/f823064d.jpg

JayT
June 25th, 2004, 09:10 AM
what do you mean by decent?, do you mean tall, or fat???

Tall - I like a big tall core tower. This is the only building in Brisbane that has one.

jt

Favco750
June 25th, 2004, 03:03 PM
It is just a different style of constructing the building that gives the appearance of a "tall" core. At the end of the day, all the buildings end up the same. The tall core enables the lifts to be installed earlier, ie once the core is finished, the lifts can be installed and therefore used which speeds up the finishing trades work, instead of just relying on the alimak, or construction lift. Once the alimak can be dismantled, the outside of the building can be finished quicker too. But it does present logistic problems, as the blokes and the gear needs to be able to get up through or up the outside for access to the top. Usually the fatter the core, the easier it is to build like this as it allows a bit more room inside the core. :sleepy:

GMAC
July 12th, 2004, 03:01 AM
Excuse the darkness it was getting late!!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid128/pfd5f4a98024ed37a86e2ad81fd5aaa6b/f7e3f53b.jpg

Blend
July 12th, 2004, 05:37 AM
looks like anothere level on it since i took

ctsm
July 18th, 2004, 10:51 AM
They're putting an observation deck on this, right?

JayT
July 19th, 2004, 12:43 AM
I am loving the look of this one from the post office.

jt

defec8R
July 21st, 2004, 11:51 AM
taken from Albion today 21/07/04... the core looks about 80m high, so maybe topped out?

http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/obt01.jpg

BrizzyChris
July 22nd, 2004, 04:08 AM
I never thought this one would be so prominent. Pleasant surprise.

Ausilencer
August 12th, 2004, 12:03 PM
Here's some shots of Observatory Tower taken yesterday. Sorry about darkness in second shot - seems like it might be a theme with shots from that angle hey GMAC hehe!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/ObservatoryTower_20040811_768x1024_01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/ObservatoryTower_20040811_1024x768_02.jpg

CULWULLA
October 28th, 2004, 06:44 AM
how is this one going?

Blend
October 28th, 2004, 06:58 AM
still going. well over the IBM tower.

JayT
October 28th, 2004, 06:59 AM
how is this one going?
The balconies are being painted white - looks like a ship!

jt

Danubis
October 29th, 2004, 03:59 PM
Well this has been Under Construction in Brisbane's CBD for a few months now. It should be great looking up Edward Street!


http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0051/1580051al1042084048.jpg

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/2349/1262349ml1036114307.jpg


JayT

will the finished building still have the blue blades as per the posted renders by JayT ?

duke
October 31st, 2004, 01:26 PM
Photos taken late today - hence the dark photos. Based on the renders in the previous post this is about one or two levels away from topping out.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04observe1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04observe2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay1/31oct04observe3.JPG

TOCC
November 1st, 2004, 11:38 AM
sheesh its really looking good

Muse
November 3rd, 2004, 07:19 PM
Oh shit yeah!! ...and BTW duke, the pics aren't dark at all. Great as usual :okay:

Margaret: I give it 4 1/2 stars....David?

David: I'll give this one a 5!

Margaret: *chuckles* "tee-hee" *gold Givenchy earring copies swing 'n sway*.

Editorial: IMO David always, always has the better taste. Therefore a definite 5 from an armchair critic ;)

This is good modern architecture; smooth 'n stylish and as cool as cool can be. Also the perfect solution for its location; a multi-road intersection on a sheath-shaped site.

One of those rarities that is turning out better, much better than the gooffy renderings.

Bellissimo! http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/wub.gif

jellyman
November 3rd, 2004, 10:40 PM
best building in Brisbane with balconies I reckon.

Muse
December 19th, 2004, 11:57 PM
duke's last pic posts now showing :redx:

:master: New pic updates please of this fabulous building.

Ausilencer
December 20th, 2004, 09:16 AM
Been offline for about 5 weeks, so this shot was actually taken 30th Nov.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/ObservatoryTower_20041130_768x1024.jpg

JayT
January 13th, 2005, 10:08 AM
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/1393/102051393ml1101215422.jpg

I think that pic is a few weeks old but I love where it is in the "mix" of Spring Hill.

jt

duke
January 13th, 2005, 12:35 PM
Observatory is a very impressive design. Custom fit for the site, but probably a pity that it didn't go taller. Is now visible from my office in Milton.

Danubis
February 13th, 2005, 02:05 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/observatory3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/observatory1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/observatory2.jpg

Gertzy
February 13th, 2005, 05:33 AM
How tall is the project and who's building/developing it etc.

Malt
February 13th, 2005, 05:39 AM
looking good danubis

Orfeo
February 13th, 2005, 06:23 AM
Great photos ( again :) )

How tall is the project and who's building/developing it etc.

It is 24 levels, 80m and developed by Austland Pty Ldt.

Almost topped out, so now they need to get painting. I think it looks great now, but painted it should be quite a bit better.

Danubis
February 13th, 2005, 11:31 AM
they've just gotta errect the other blade and thats all major construction completed in thinks

SUNNI
February 13th, 2005, 04:14 PM
wow! lookin good :)

Danubis
February 13th, 2005, 05:43 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/danubiis/springhillsex.jpg

Malt
February 13th, 2005, 05:59 PM
lol :)

nerazzurri
February 14th, 2005, 01:21 AM
lmfao :eek2:

Chad
February 14th, 2005, 01:36 AM
OH, at first I saw this thread's title I thought it's some "actual" Observatory Tower..:D

CULWULLA
February 14th, 2005, 03:17 AM
great pic danub!

CULWULLA
March 26th, 2005, 02:18 PM
so is observatory towqer completed? its been 6 weeks since last pic.
slackos.

BrizzyChris
March 27th, 2005, 11:01 AM
It's definately topped out, but still a lot of exterior work to be done.

GMAC
March 29th, 2005, 02:10 AM
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid162/pf38e1edc130420eb818a4a4a553e0a2d/f4abe516.jpg

CULWULLA
March 29th, 2005, 02:50 AM
excellent Gmac! not long now. turned out great.

nikko
March 29th, 2005, 06:25 AM
GMAC...what can I say? great pic.

Another good development completeted.

It's got some commercial space at the bottom, dosent it?

Malt
April 11th, 2005, 08:53 AM
http://img160.echo.cx/img160/365/observatorytower7rp.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

SUNNI
April 11th, 2005, 09:05 AM
yeah it did turn out great ;)

CULWULLA
April 27th, 2005, 01:44 AM
any "completed" pix to add to resume? This is a creeper. it has turned out fabulous!

Gertzy
April 29th, 2005, 09:23 AM
Its turned out real good, that is great.

Oriolus
April 30th, 2005, 03:20 AM
I can't say it turned out great until I see a completed pic. It's looking good in the most recent pics but what if they decided to paint the top floors baby poo brown at the last minute :D

C'mon Brissy guys, can we please have a completed pic :)

Oriolus
May 19th, 2005, 09:40 AM
Seriously guys, someone must have a completed photo. Is it just that nobody ever looks in this forum?

Anyway I'll be in Brisbane in July and if we don't have one by then I'll take it myself if need be :)

Malt
May 19th, 2005, 11:14 AM
It isnt even completed.

One of the fins is still waiting to be fitted.

Lol i walked past Anzac square and considered taking a photo but didnt.

Ill take one when it is actually completed.

Oriolus
May 20th, 2005, 01:46 AM
lol thanks Malt. So is the crane still up? I'll move it back to the Brisbane section until it's done - thread will attract some more attention in there.

Ausilencer
May 21st, 2005, 02:43 PM
Taken Today:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/ObservatoryTower_20050521_1024x768_01.jpg

Oriolus
May 22nd, 2005, 07:12 AM
Good on you Ausilencer. Fair bit of external external work left. Looks like the hammer head that was on the right is down now yeah? What's the thing on the left anyone?

Orfeo
May 22nd, 2005, 09:02 AM
^
It's the support for the external lift. It is kind of weird that they havn't taken it down yet.

Jimmy_the_man
May 22nd, 2005, 10:23 AM
They've taken their time on a small building.

CULWULLA
May 22nd, 2005, 10:55 AM
hey malt, looks like architects changed there minds with the 2nd fin and was happy with just one tall one.doesnt look tobad, kinda suits it.
even though its 80m, its high elevation makes it seem taller.
QUESTION FOR LOCAL?
I know the cnr Ann & Edward is RL26m, so how many metres does it climb until where Observatory tower is? looks like 10m atleast? so RL36m+80m=116mRL.?

thanks for update ausilencer

Brisvein
June 3rd, 2005, 02:00 PM
Cul- the elevation increases more than 10 metres. Additionally the street in front (?Turbot/ Upper Edward) is about 4 metres lower than Wickham Terrace on the other side of the building. If you have an elevation for the convict windmill on Wickham Terrace take off a couple of metres and you will have the answer.

CULWULLA
June 3rd, 2005, 02:15 PM
^ thaks, but i dont have an RL for windmill.maybe 40mRL?
cheers

Grantus
June 3rd, 2005, 02:27 PM
This may be a stupid question but ahh well....

Is the Observatory tower actually got a observation deck for the public? Or is it just the name of the tower?

Because as far as i know, vision is Brisbane's first for a oby deck

Malt
June 3rd, 2005, 03:24 PM
Just the name of the tower. Theres no ob deck in it

Jimmy_the_man
June 3rd, 2005, 11:08 PM
The building's almost done. There are still some 2 level supports at the base and they have to remove some plastic from the upper balconys.

Jimmy_the_man
June 3rd, 2005, 11:08 PM
Hey Cul. Almost 10 000 posts.

cranerider
July 9th, 2005, 08:36 AM
Story in today's Courier Mail about the developers cancelling all the buyer's contracts, and a class action taken out against the developers. There are a lot of angry buyers who stand to lose a lot of capital gain because of some sunset clause in their contract.
I guess the developers are trying to regain from the blow out in the construction costs

Malt
July 9th, 2005, 09:16 AM
what assholes.

I hope they lose and give the buyers their money.

Oriolus
July 18th, 2005, 03:50 AM
All they have to do now is unwrap the balconies - looks great
Taken 9/7/05
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6353/observatory7pf.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Malt
July 18th, 2005, 04:10 AM
Might as well move it to archives then

Oriolus
July 18th, 2005, 04:21 AM
lol. I just moved it FROM the archives back into here - nothing kills a thread like archiving it. I put it in here so everyone could see the finished product and maybe we could get a photo when its finally 'completely completed'. Can't hurt can it?

nerazzurri
July 18th, 2005, 05:53 AM
This building turned out great, probably one of the better 'newer' buildings I think. I don't like the location though, doesn't really suit.

Oriolus
August 8th, 2005, 02:42 AM
Might as well post this other pic that I took of Observatory Tower while in Brisbane:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/7822/1003770s6in.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Muse
August 8th, 2005, 02:46 AM
Such a cool design and solid looking too. My Brisbane apartment tower favourite!

Great pix Oriolus.

GMAC
August 8th, 2005, 05:19 AM
All of the ground level stuff is really taking shape now too I noticed on Friday, the corner and the Whickham Terrace side are looking fantastic.

Ausilencer
August 8th, 2005, 10:45 AM
Great shot Oriolus! I like this one too, nice addition to Brisbane.

Ausilencer
December 23rd, 2005, 01:36 PM
Taken today:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Ausilencer/ObservatoryTower_20051223_768x1024_.jpg

Muse
December 25th, 2005, 05:22 AM
Now *that* is an apartment building!

*wolf whistles* http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/Muse11/whistling1.png

Icanseeformiles
December 29th, 2005, 03:30 AM
ummmm...well....yes, it is an apartment building, but to me it hovers somewhere between average to good. let's just say better than some and better than the all too many average examples here in melb' at least.

Muse
December 29th, 2005, 07:16 AM
Well, I've always liked the design and thought it is quite solid looking too...OK? http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/closedeyes.gif

duke
December 29th, 2005, 02:00 PM
Now *that* is an apartment building!

It's just a pity that with the building almost finished the developers decided to shaft the purchasers by cancelling all contracts of sale. That and the fact that it topped out over twelve months ago but has yet to be totally completed!

Muse
December 29th, 2005, 07:01 PM
Mmmm, it even has a juicey story! http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/yummy.gif

But hiss, boo.

..