I just walked past an hour ago:
- Hordings have been erected and are surrounding the site.
- Workers are on site and are very busy.
- A front end loader is ripping out trees and digging holes!
- Dust is in the air in that part of town:)


It's all happening now - Brisbane's tallest has now started constuction! - well at least they are begining to anyway.

A goog place to go for information and photos is below.
http://www.primeinvestment.com.au/All_property_listings/Residential/QLD/Aurora/default.htm

http://www.auroracbd.com.au/images/photos/hi-rise%20model.jpg

JayT

Here are some inspirational photos from Cottee Parker architects in West End.

http://www.cotteeparker.com.au/html/projects/multi_res/aurora.htm

http://www.cotteeparker.com.au/images/projects/multi_res/popups/aurora_popup01.jpg

http://www.cotteeparker.com.au/images/projects/multi_res/popups/aurora_popup02.jpg

http://www.cotteeparker.com.au/images/projects/multi_res/popups/aurora_popup03.jpg

jt

Is it still going to have a spire like in the render you posted?

Also, any confirmation on the plasma screens?

Wooohoo, finally this baby is being born.

Unfortunately, and pretty much officially there will be no Plasma Screens from what I have been told.

I have suggested the developers put a webcam up so people can log in and watch it going up. I will chase this up with the sales lady.

Can someone with a digi camera, get some photos ??. It would be really cool to get a pictorial history of this building going up from carpark to tower.

Hmm, I think I might fly up to brissie next week and and take some photos myself, and checkout whats going on :).

<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>Is it still going to have a spire like in the render you posted?

Also, any confirmation on the plasma screens?</td></tr>
</table>
yeah spire is still there reaching 238m. just 11m lower than Riparians.
good to see this baby starting up!
:guns1:

only a month or so late, i think i can handle that. great news,ill have to check it our 2morow. unfortunately no camera though :bash:

Thanks JayT- I'm going to have to drive by this afternoon to have a look now. I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen!

This has been the moment we have all been waiting for. Finally it has begun construction after so long.

what all of us have been waiting for!
something that will change brissies skyline for eva!

I got a phone call from the sales person at Aurora today. They were taking photos of what was going on on the site. As soon as they email me those photos I will post them.

They did tell me that the webcam idea has been put forward and they will advise me if anything comes of it. There is a meeting in the next few days where more details might be coming out about the project now that it is in new hands.

At long last

'nuff said ;)

btw I've made a thread in national forums pointing to this one

tays

wikid
:applause:

Ok i just got the pics. There are only 6 of them. Here ya http://homepage.mac.com/walexx/PhotoAlbum29.html

Well I have two things to celebrate. My new home is finally U/C and we have a new mayor! Weeeeee :)

Yeah congrats Gester, finally you are one day closer to moving in :).

I cant wait to see this building go up, especially once you can see the actual shape of the building come to life.

Yeah for sure! Once it gets past level 10. Pretty much where Riparian is now it will really be quite interesting to watch it develop.

Now if only I had a digital camera :moods:

Great news, now please, please, please can we have the Baroque and Emerald approved and U/C.

Ill be flying up heaps Gester to take photos. I too cant wait till it passes level 10 thats when you will really get to see what the building is gonna look like.

Ive actualy been considering a lifestyle change and maybe moving into my apartment instead of leasing it out. I guess its a long way aways though, so i will see how things are when its time :)

Awesome news, we now have two 200m towers under construction :)

Would anybody like to speculate what height the building will have reached in 12 months time?

My guess is they'll be up to level 2 in 12 months time

Congrats to Brissy !! Rivarlries aside Australia needs all its citys to grow and become more world class .. these 2 x 200m+ buildings are a solid stamp that Brissy is becoming or has become that..

Article in Prime Site section on page 41 of today's paper reports "Now, in April, no sign of construction is imminent"!

Courier Mail accuracy strikes again!

I will email journalist to suggest he should check his facts more carefully.

Hahahaha duke :)

Let us know what his reply is. They should really check their stories alot more closely for accuracy.

theres a blocked article in today AFR saying construction starts on mondy

heres a bit of the story-

The much-mooted $220 million Aurora unit tower in Brisbane's CBD will finally start construction on Monday after the Amalgamated Property Group this week settled its acquisition of the project for just over $20 million.

http://newsstore.f2.com.au/apps/newsSearch.ac?ac=search&sy=afr&ss=AFR&dt=selectRange&so=relevance&sp=0&rc=10&dr=1month&pb=fin&sf=article&kw=aurora

We get the AFR delivered to work every day. That article does not say anything new except construction will take 28 months.......

......AND, they mention the developers of Emerald are lodging a new council application in the next few weeks (still 77 stories) and expect to start construction towards the end of the year....

If that is the case, this will be the third DA lodged with council for Emerald (which means it will be another 6 months before we hear anything more)

From the AFR:

Aurora to rise over Brisbane
Apr 11
Kathy Mac Dermott

The much-mooted $220 million Aurora unit tower in Brisbane's CBD will finally start construction on Monday after the Amalgamated Property Group this week settled its acquisition of the project for just over $20 million.

The start of work on the site at 420 Queen Street was viewed by industry analysts as a welcome boost to Brisbane's inner-city sector, where apartment sales slowed in the March quarter.

APG director Graham Potts said since the company had contracted to buy Aurora from its original consortium at the end of January, there had been $15 million worth of presales in the development.

Building approval for the 456- unit complex was received from Brisbane City Council last week and construction by Bovis Lend Lease was expected to take 28 months, Mr Potts said.

Aurora was sold by a consortium comprising the BMD Group, construction company Watpac and Brisbane developer APH Properties which last year publicly reported presales totalling $170 million.

APG's purchase of the Aurora project marks its first foray into the Brisbane market.

Mr Potts said his Canberra-based private company was keen to expand its presence in Brisbane and was close to acquiring a second site in the city.

The deal's financing package was structured by the Anthony Moreton Group's Tony Hazell in association with Bovis Lend Lease.

BLL had been keen to secure a Brisbane CBD project for more than a year after the Marc Newson-designed Llama project collapsed.

BLL had been a member of the high-profile consortium steering Llama, but after the project failed to attract sufficient presales the George Street site was sold to Devine Ltd at the end of 2001.

Research analyst Michael Matusik, of Matusik Property Insights, heralded the start of work on Aurora as a major fillip for the city's unit sector.

If Aurora had stalled in the wake of last year's canning of The Georgian CBD unit tower, confidence in Brisbane's inner-city residential market would have been seriously eroded, he said.

Mr Matusik said sales in the March quarter had slowed significantly and about 350 deals were expected to be recorded.

The reduced level of activity reflected the absence of any new product releases during the period.

While Mr Matusik said demand from local investors had weakened, Sydney purchasers were still keen on Brisbane unit stock.

The comparatively low entry prices and the expectation of sound capital growth were sustaining this southern interest, he said.

Last year, 7695 units were sold in Brisbane's CBD and inner-fringe suburbs, according to research by Mr Matusik.

Meanwhile, another group breaking into the Brisbane market, Emerald Developments, is confident that its 77-level CBD apartment tower will begin construction by the end of the year.

ED's Chris McLean said a new development application would be lodged in the next three weeks.

All I can say is that is a nice building and will be an awesome additon to one of Australias most dense skylines

The much-mooted $220 million Aurora unit tower in Brisbane's CBD will finally start construction on Monday after the Amalgamated Property Group this week settled its acquisition of the project for just over $20 million.

wow, this is even bigger news! i wonder if it will eventually go ahead at 230m?

Culwulla- Is there something you know that we don't? Have you heard some rumours? Please don't keep us in suspense any longer!

There have been some rumours that some projects in Brisbane already approved and ready to go may not go ahead. Apparently wage costs, materials and lack of workers is being blamed with the flattening of income levels also being used. I wonder if some companies are just scaring each other. From business functions I have been to of late their doesn't seem to be any sign that things are on th downturn!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Brisvein </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Culwulla- Is there something you know that we don't? Have you heard some rumours? Please don't keep us in suspense any longer!

There have been some rumours that some projects in Brisbane already approved and ready to go may not go ahead. Apparently wage costs, materials and lack of workers is being blamed with the flattening of income levels also being used. I wonder if some companies are just scaring each other. From business functions I have been to of late their doesn't seem to be any sign that things are on th downturn!</td></tr>
</table>
actually i might contact Emerald towers DA planner at BCC. she indicated in jan to give her a call in a few months on its progress, well its been a few months. ill ring her this week.
Just on rumours, havent heard too much negative only positive stuff.

Yeah this is great. The bottom part looks awesome!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Aussie Bhoy </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Great news, now please, please, please can we have the Baroque and Emerald approved and U/C.</td></tr>
</table>


Baroque? I've never heard of that one. Is there a thread?

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Muswellbrook Guy </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 Aussie Bhoy </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Great news, now please, please, please can we have the Baroque and Emerald approved and U/C.</td></tr>
</table>


Baroque? I've never heard of that one. Is there a thread?</td></tr>
</table>
MBG, have a look at this thread.
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23111

Did construction start on Monday as planned?

*cough*

So did the constuction start Monday? Anyone? Hello?

I think construction started last tuesday - look at when I started this thread, that is when the construction started.
jt

Excavation has commenced. The whole site has been fenced off and there are at least two large excavators going at it.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Brisvein </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Excavation has commenced. The whole site has been fenced off and there are at least two large excavators going at it.</td></tr>
</table>
this is what Emeralds-Skou architects told me also!

I heard at work while listening to 97.3FM, every news update they were talking about "Brisbane tallest residential building has commenced construction yesterday"...they also went on to say how many floors, apartments ra ra ra.

.

I couldnt make it up there this week. Does anyone have any pics of the first bit of earth works ??

Walexx, hopefully these couple of days off I will be able to get some pics of the first stages.

Oh cool, thanks mate :)

Anyone been past the site lately ?. How is it looking ?. Any photos yet ?

I tried to get pictures, but it has been teaming with rain lately so not as yet!

They are still clearing the area.

Cool thanks mate. Hopefully I will be able to fly up in a few weeks to check it out, but im just dying to see the beginnings of it all.

I wanna try and keep a pictorial history of the whole thing from start to finish, so any photos even how insignificant they might seem would be appreciated :)

I've recently begun making rendered 3d animations of my 3d CAD model of Brisbane. I wish I could upload them to the net- but their too big at 30MB+. So here is the next best thing that I could think of. I've made a short wireframe .gif animation of Aurora as you it will look when you drive up Eagle St.
Just go to this link here
http://www.geocities.com/brisbane_australia2000/BrisModel/3DModel.html

and find the section headed Short Animations.

Very Impressive :). Job well done.

Thanks walexx.

I'm surprised that you could see it though. I've just ben informed by geocities that ...People may not be able to access my site for an hour or so. My site has temporarily exceeded its allocated data transfer.

Looks great mate. I like the wireframes.....they are a good way to tell if a building has good "bones". Personally, I find your animation confirms what I hate most about Aurora - it's going to be one huge sheer wall of balconies! Admittedly, it will be very slender from the sides but comparing the two, I think Riparian has much better lines and proportions:)

wow! great stuff brisbane 2. aurora will look awesome. it looks so tall!
very well done!

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Brizbane2 </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I've recently begun making rendered 3d animations of my 3d CAD model of Brisbane. I wish I could upload them to the net- but their too big at 30MB+. So here is the next best thing that I could think of. I've made a short wireframe .gif animation of Aurora as you it will look when you drive up Eagle St.
Just go to this link here
http://www.geocities.com/brisbane_australia2000/BrisModel/3DModel.html

and find the section headed Short Animations.</td></tr>
</table>

umm.... sensational ?

yes that's the word.

sensational work!

keep it up :guns1:

Has anyone been down to the site lately ??. Id love to know how its all going. Has much work been done, and does anyone have any recent photos of the site and site works ??.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by walexx </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Has anyone been down to the site lately ??. Id love to know how its all going. Has much work been done, and does anyone have any recent photos of the site and site works ??.</td></tr>
</table>

not alot of movement at the station from what i can gether. ill go and have a look on firday but no camera unfortately

Thanks Mate.

I might fly up in the next few days myself. I am just a bit flat out so not sure when I can make it to have a look and take photos.

They are still doing earthworks and clearing out the remnants of the old building there. Some concrete/underpinning looks like its happenening against the Boeing building, and there is a transportable crane next to the old facade where there is a bit of work happening too.

Not a real lot but theres an update for you. I work next to it, progress looks painfully slow but thats coz I see it daily I guess :)

Hmmm, now youve put your foot in it. You work next door ha ??, you shouldnt have told me that. Oh god, I hope I dont turn into a construction update stalker constantly asking you for reports hehehehe.

Thanks Dorigen, much appreciated. Sounds like a bit of a waste of a trip if I fly up now. I think I will wait a bit longer.

If anyone has a digi camera, please take photos. Id still love to see exactly how the site is looking :)

Has anyone been down to the Aurora site lately ??. Is there much happening ??. Has any construction started, or r they still just bulldozing the land ??. Pics ??.

They are actually digging a big hole at the moment. Things are going down, not up and it doesnt look very exciting from street level right now. Not sure how far they are going down, anyone know how many basement levels Aurora's gonna have?

There was an interesting article in the paper on Friday about Aurora - Brisbane's tallest tower.

It said that:
1000 people would be working on the tower during construction.
Over 100,000cubic meters of concrete would be used.
Over 10,000 tonnes of structural steel would be used.

30 months to complete and over 2,000,000 man hours.

I just passed there today and they are really cracking on with it fast. The hole they have dug has been lined with concrete sections and they are still digging it.

The foot path along Queen Street has been completely dug away and replaced with concrete for some reason.

jt

I beleive they are closing that footpath off during working hours until the tower is completed, so its probably going to be a loading area of some sort

I went past Aurora the other night - it was full on!! They had about 4 machines working at once all digging with their head lights on in the dust and massive lights over the newly dug hole in the ground. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie with all the dust, noise bright lights.

It's a must see now.

jt

Can anyone get some pics ??. I would love to see how its all looking right now.

I sooo cant wait for when the structure starts to come up from that hole.

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by walexx </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>Can anyone get some pics ??. I would love to see how its all looking right now.I sooo cant wait for when the structure starts to come up from that hole.</td></tr>
</table>
Ditto

considering how any of Sydney scrapers now Uc get daily pix taken (sometimes hourly) lol. its a shame we dont get lots of updated photos of all the scrapers uc in brissy! but then again not usre if any brissy forumers actually work in the city and have access to a digicam? anyway hope to see more of Riparian & Aurora over next 2 years!:D

There is only a hole in the ground. You really can't get a good pic because there isn't really a good vantage point!

I think its quite unfair that u say that we should be taking more pics! I try and get alot of construction pics of things going up in Brissie and so do other brisbane forumers such as duke, musselbrook guy! And I don't put all my pics onto the forum, but onto ss.com construction page of each building!!!

I have also been on O/S holidays for 2 weeks and starting to get things back to normal, so I will be able to take more pics.

"anyway hope to see more of Riparian & Aurora over next 2 years!"

Culwulla if u look at Riparian topic u can see there are alot of construction pics on there, there are also heaps on ss.com! They mighten get updated with new pics for a while because it hasn't really changed much.

How long till we start to see Aurora rise out of the ground and visable from street level?

They have closed off the footpath in front of Aurora tower today - it looks permanent.
jt

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Dorigen </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>I beleive they are closing that footpath off during working hours until the tower is completed, so its probably going to be a loading area of some sort</td></tr>
</table>

@dorigen

You mentioned in an earlier thread that you work next door to Aurora. Do you have a view of the Aurora site from your building? If so, and assuming that you don't have a digicam or access to one, is there any way that anyone else could get a photo from your building?

Unfortunately there is one building in front on mine that blocks almost all of the construction site :( That and I dont have a digicam (yet) but when I do I'll grab some shots.

there is a giant hole in the ground. They have started work on the very base of the core. Expect to see a crane soonish??

workers are working on Sundays too. I'm really impressed with its progress.

i saw the crane being assembled today @ Aurora site .... . they had bits lying on the side of the road and they were MASSIVE compared to all the cars driving past. 12/7/03. blocked off 3 lanes of queen and eagle streets to do it. absolute bloody chaos

Crane appeared to be virtually complete around 4pm today.

I went past at 4:30 today, and the crane was up. I was very surprised!
I was also surprised at how many people were taking photos. Hehe other skyscraper fans?

These were taken today, 13 July

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/aurora1307031.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/aurora1307032.JPG

A few more from today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julaurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julaurora2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julaurora3.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julaurora4.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/13julaurora5.JPG

WOW those pics are awesome. You obviuosly went to alot of trouble to get them from differnt locations on the site. Great work Duke !. I cant wait to see how the site will look in a few months time.

Good Work Duke and Brizzythomas!

Its great to see a crane there now - it wasn't there on Friday. I didn't see it today because I walked to uni via the riverside and didn't think there would be a crane there this early.

Fantastic! I think with a building this size we would expect another one soon.

jt

I've been away for a month, has all this started in the last 3 or 4 weeks?
When did things really get cracking?

Cant wait to see a core peeping over those site offices :)

Hi

Is there anyone in Brissie that can give an update on whats happenning at the Aurora site ?.

Do we still have a hole or is it starting to get interesting ??.

Last time I checked, which was Friday morning, they were still at the same stage, of a big whole with lots of digging.

Thanks brissyThomas, much appreciated :). Please keep us updated as things progress.

Here are some old photos from 29/05/03 from the Property Direct website. http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/construct.htm

http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0208.jpg http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0209.jpg

http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0210.jpg http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0212.jpg

http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0213.jpg http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0214.jpg

http://www.pd.com.au/auroracbd/img/IMG_0215.jpg

This is progressing well. Foundations are underway and the base for a second crane is in place. Photos taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augaurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augaurora2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augaurora3.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augaurora4.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay/10augaurora5.JPG

Looks like those cranes might be going inside the structure kinda like World Tower and Q1? Nice pics :cheers:

I didn't notice that they are already at this stage. I need to come here more often :bash:

excellent pix duke! thanks for keeping us updated!
the foundatons look well advanced and core should rise soon! its hard to beleive this sucker will soar 67 levels!!! wow
exciting times for brissy!
http://skyscrapercity.com/images/smilies/guns1.gif

The second crane is being assembled this morning. It looks like one of those skinny ones similar to what Q1 is using and its white to match its bigger brother

Hey those photos are awesome. They are really kicking along. This is gonna be one really cool building once its built.

Any chance of anyone getting a photo of the cranes ???.

Since I have the pleasure of working almost next door and recently got a digital, I'll grab some for you :D

Fantastic, I look forward to them Dorigen. This baby cant go up quick enough for me :)

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/aurora1.jpg

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/aurora2.jpg

Great pics Dorigen! This sucker will do much for Brissy, cant wait!:)

Great pics Dorigen, I cant wait 2 C what this site will look like by xmas

This thread needs a bump

:guns1:

great pics all round people!

keep 'em coming ;)

I agree with you Tayser. I was thinking the same thing only the other day, but didnt want to add another worthless comment.

I am curious though as to how much the site has changed since those foundation photos.

How long do you guys think it will take before some sort of framework goes up so we can get an idea of the shape of this place ??.

It's quite slow at this stage. Always seems to take forever to complete the foundations and actually see the building rise.

It took almost six months from commencement of demolition of previous buildings for the core of Casino Towers to start to rise (although the Christmas/New Year break did fall into that period).

I looked through there the other day and noticed that is is about two stories up - but still below street level.

I am amazed that they are on the rise so fast now. It was only 3 months ago that they were parking cars there.

Does anyone know anything about the foundations of Aurora? I didn't hear any pile drivers at all from the site and they haven't gone down very far and are now building up.
jt

From my photos the foundations look to be broad rather than deep. Would not be any need for piles since they have chiselled the foundations out of the rock.

Casino Towers was the same. Lots of very large jackhammers to chisel the foundations out of solid rock.

Some shots of Aurora today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/31augaurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/31augaurora2.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/31augaurora3.JPG

Great photos Duke. Looks like there is some serious work going on there. Should hopefully be taking some form of shape by Xmas :)

Taken 6 September 2003

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/auroroa0609031.JPG

http://home.iprimus.com.au/sdlennon/aurora0609033.jpg

A really comprehensive update for the CBD Orodreth (this and the other 8 threads you posted to). Guess I don't need to take any photos this weekend!

I just want to say well done guys, I love the photo updates and they are appreciated enormously!!

jt

wow it really is going full steam ahead! I still had images in my head with diggers still messin around diggin up rocks and dirt. Excitin times for brissy!

yeah cheers for all those great shots! oh and shit just realised your brissythomas...

Aurora is flying up at the moment. I noticed last night and this morning that it is now well above street level with the Northeastern section about 2 stories up. It can be clearly seen now from accross the street which is good because we don't have to peer through fences anymore:D

Even in Surfers I have never seen a building go up as fast. In March it was a car park and now they have dug a hole 3 stories deep and filled it with basement levels and are now on their way to the sky.
At this rate it will be quite dominating by christmas!

jt

Yep the development is certainly much more exciting then the slowness of Riparian or Felix.

Its quite good to see that they can actually build buildings quicker then those especially when Riparian claimed to have a really quick construction schedule :)

well heres a bombshell! i contacted the cottee parker architects today to confirm heights of Aurora so my digram of OZ tallest in 2005) will be accurate and the height has come down from 204m > 201m. Also the spire which was to rise to 238m has been deleted from design!
And the architect also confirmed that the "official" height of 201m could alter over next few months with "adjustments" to design!. She said it could get even lower!
so ill let you know when they contact me with "official" height at Xmas!

Originally posted by CULWULLA
well heres a bombshell! i contacted the cottee parker architects today to confirm heights of Aurora so my digram of OZ tallest in 2005) will be accurate and the height has come down from 204m > 201m. Also the spire which was to rise to 238m has been deleted from design!
And the architect also confirmed that the "official" height of 201m could alter over next few months with "adjustments" to design!. She said it could get even lower!
so ill let you know when they contact me with "official" height at Xmas!

well that sucks balls....... :mad:

Originally posted by SydneyDude
well that sucks balls....... :mad:

Yeah, it does, sucks for Brissy! Hopefully it won't go under 200m!

And so the cost cutting begins. Who wants to place bets that the developers now put the crappiest materials on the building so that it looks utterly shite? Once a design has been approved by the council, it shouldn't be allowed to be changed, for better or worse, without council approval. I bet we end up with a complete dog of a tower now.

Taken Sun Sep 28

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/aurora3.jpg

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/aurora4.jpg

http://loa.ausgamers.com/Images/aurora5.jpg

Thanks for the pics Dorigen.:cool:

Yeah, Great pics Dorigen. Im really enjoying watching the progress of construction. Aurora really seems to be getting up to full speed.

Im just hoping that Bullseye is wrong about the cost cutting and this building turning into a "dog of a tower".

Aurora is supposed to be a landmark building, lets hope it exceeds all of our expectations. Being a purchaser of an apartment in this building, I dont think I could handle the disappointment if Bullseye is right.

Oh well, so far so good. The progress is looking great. I cant wait to see how this site will look like in 6months from now.

I hope I'm wrong too, walexx. I want this tower to look as good as the renderings.

Taken today from the Holman Street ferry terminal at Kangaroo Point. Aurora's two white cranes are all to be seen from there at the moment - but imagine the view of Aurora from this point in 12 months time!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/5octaurora.JPG

wow thats really going to stick out:okay:

Question for everyone, from Dorigen's 1st picture taken on 28/9/03. What's the function of that chimney looking crane on the right??

I think its something to do with concrete pumping - there is a red one on top of Riparians corebox too.

jt

yeah the "red chimney" is the pumping arm for the concrete imobilizer. When you see this contraption-its a good thing! it means a pour is about to happen!!


heres an axample of a pumping arm deployed. BT Tower in Sydney

http://www.lewycomputing.com.au/andy/other/bt2.jpg

who is building Aurora? i can see the Bovis Lend lease sign in a pic.

Some joint thing with Watpac I *think*?

"red chimney" = Puntzmeister

surprised you don't go out and get more pics of this Gesty ;)

tays

Yep, definately concrete pumps - in fact they were pumping concrete into one of the mould thingo's this morning (not the core box, next to it). A concrete truck puts concrete into a mobile concrete pump which connects up to one of those fixed pumps, and they just move the boom arm around wherever they need it.

Cul, both cranes have Lend Lease written on the jib in blue neon lights, there are a few signs around on the hoardings as well.

A couple of photos from today. Basement formwork is now at Queen Street level - should be poured in the next week or two.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/25octaurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/25octaurora2.JPG

BIG NEWS guys! Its not yet "approved" but Bovis Lend Lease has informed me this morning that the additon of two floors will boost its height from 67 levels to 69 and 207m high! The roof is 198m. The 207m is tip of blades or LMR.
If you remember a few weeks ago i mentioned it could go up or down, since sales are ging well and its current RL is under allowed height, they lodged an "amendment" with BCC and is currently going through the DA process. BOVISLL say they are VERY confident of approval soon and it wont be an issue!

I live on level 69 would be a good pick up line;)

fantastic news, makes up a little for the decreased height limits planned

69 stories - a very sexy tower!!!

jt

how can they submit another plan when the building is already under construction?

Originally posted by felix
how can they submit another plan when the building is already under construction?

Well, its probably not really another plan they'll submit so much as a Section 96 modification to the approved design.

Has anyone looked at the design of this tower - 2 extra floors would make it perfect.

I often wondered why in the major part of the tower there were sections that went up in '3s' and then at the top before the glass there is just one story sitting there? If they added two here it would make it another '3' section and would finish it off perfectly.

Do you all know what I mean?
http://www.cotteeparker.com.au/images/projects/multi_res/popups/aurora_popup01.jpg

jt

Originally posted by finn
Well, its probably not really another plan they'll submit so much as a Section 96 modification to the approved design.
thats correcto mundo!
Thats what Bovis have told me they did!
They indicated in the plans that the 207m height is still under the allowable height for the site.

Well its been about 2 weeks since our last update. Has much changed on the site ??. Anyone got any new photos of the construction.

I am hanging out for news here :) .

Originally posted by Dorigen
Yep, definately concrete pumps - in fact they were pumping concrete into one of the mould thingo's this morning (not the core box, next to it). A concrete truck puts concrete into a mobile concrete pump which connects up to one of those fixed pumps, and they just move the boom arm around wherever they need it.

Cul, both cranes have Lend Lease written on the jib in blue neon lights, there are a few signs around on the hoardings as well.

Is "thingo" a technical term? ;)

15/11/03
Poor effort, I know, but here's a snapshot taken while driving along Eagle St.
http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur1.jpg

I think we can accept your poor efforts every day of the week!

Yeah, I will accept your "poor work"....

Now that this tower will be 69 floors, you could hit the clubs with a line like, "Hey baby, do you want to come back to my penthouse......level 69."

That's right it'll be 69 floors now. So they need to replace that billboard, the one that says "67 levels ... above every expectation."

69 levels ... (insert interesting new phrase)

defec8R, what sorta camera is that. The pic is an absolute smoker!

Can you really get a 2-bedder for $263,000 (reading the billboard)?? That sounds rather cheap.

To anyone in Brissie, is there any news to report on the site ??. Is the bottom section starting to take shape ??.

I cant wait for the tower part to start to show itself.

I gotta say, Felix has turned out to be one hell of a beautiful building, I hope Aurora can go one better.

Originally posted by walexx
To anyone in Brissie, is there any news to report on the site ??. Is the bottom section starting to take shape ??.

I cant wait for the tower part to start to show itself.

I gotta say, Felix has turned out to be one hell of a beautiful building, I hope Aurora can go one better.

Passed it yesterday. The core section is up to about level 6 and they are starting the main superstructure of the base section which is rising from just behind the footpath.

Its on its way now.

jt

Thanks JayT

I keep saying that I am gonna fly up to check it out and i never do, but once the main body of the building starts to show then I will fly up for a day to check it out.

Its all starting to get pretty exciting now so I really appreciate you replying to me.

Here's some pics taken today (27/11/03)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid90/p6d90fcc2d973b53c3f0bab1cdd83da5f/fa74b092.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid90/p27cb1c12d05dc9958d183268927302ce/fa74b167.jpg

I haven't seen this tower in months. Hard to believe it was 12 months ago we were all hanging on the moment construction would start. Should be interesting to watch next year (whilst Riparian tops out down the road :) ).
Thanks for the pics.

up up and away! good to see that we are finally heading skywards!

i hate the way brisbane construction sites are presented tho- its as if the put no effort into it (has anyone else noticed?)

Originally posted by SydneyDude
up up and away! good to see that we are finally heading skywards!

i hate the way brisbane construction sites are presented tho- its as if the put no effort into it (has anyone else noticed?)
Not sure what you mean - please explain?

jt

Originally posted by JayT
Not sure what you mean - please explain?

jt

i know its not important and doesnt matter, its just somethin ive noticed.

If you look at the cores of Aurora, Q1, Chevron, Riparian they are just scaffolding. No signage or neat coreboxes like Cove, Eureka, WT, 126 phillip, Latitude etc...

Originally posted by SydneyDude
i know its not important and doesnt matter, its just somethin ive noticed.

If you look at the cores of Aurora, Q1, Chevron, Riparian they are just scaffolding. No signage or neat coreboxes like Cove, Eureka, WT, 126 phillip, Latitude etc...

There are some I can think of whith neat core boxes.

Casino towers
Metropole
River Park Central
Magistrates court.

Hmm - thats all I can think of.

jt

Chevron has a corebox design, I don't think Q1 does because the corebox rises at the same height as the floor plates, you can't really see it.

Photos taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decaurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decaurora2.JPG

Hey guys, its been a while since we had an update on Aurora. Any news/pics ???.

I haven't been past Aurora for a while so I can't tell you much, (therefore I have no photos either). What about anyone else, any major advances? I can't imagine that much has happened in 3 weeks - I would think an absolute max of 3 floors (but probably not even that) since those last photos.

gorrnnnn, git up there!

shameless bump

when is this due for completion?

anyone have any new renders, photoshoped skyline shots or anything?

http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/frodocam/cam/frodo.jpg

Good live Webcam where we can watch Aurora rise up. You can see Aurora’s core just to the right of the Boeing building (black glass in center)

jt

Hey whats the link to the webcam. It would be awesome to see this baby go up :).

Aurora has to be Brissie's schmickest project at the moment...anyone disagree?

I disagree :P

I prefer Riparian to Aurora.

Riparian looks like a patchwork quilt. Its all over the place. A bit of this and a bit of that. I think its quite beautiful, yet extremely ugly at the same time. Mind you I have only seen photos and reserve my judgement until I can see the real thing.

As for Aurora, whats the latest up there in Brissy ??.

I am hanging out to see some updated photos so if anyone has any, please please post them :)

Originally posted by Blabbyboy
Aurora has to be Brissie's schmickest project at the moment...anyone disagree?

No I don’t agree. Aurora is OK, well the front of it anyway but its just another big block of flats. In my opinion it will look crap from the back – yes Crap, and I haven’t seen many pictures to make me think otherwise.

I think Riparian is much more interesting but my favourite high rise project at the moment has to be Brisbane Square office tower.

It will be interesting to see what Austcorp come up with on Margaret Street – here’s hoping for a very classy 250m tower!!!

jt

Just bring on Emerald.

Taken today 15/01/04. Not much to see as yet...
http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur02.jpg

Good to see update pics..

My opinion of Aurora is kinda the same as Riparian - the bottom 2/3 is so-so - very resi balconyish - but the top 1/3 might be the saving grace..

That crown part could look good particularly at that height and lit up at night..

-bump- updates? pics?

cheers

Just starting to poke its head out from Custom's House when looking from the Holman Street ferry terminal at Kangaroo Point. Not much to see yet, but this will make a good vantage point in the coming months.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pf4f3be02040d2ee62efb593badef0fb9/f9c43fa5.jpg

:cheers:

Great pics Chrisso. I cant wait to see it start moving up. This is gonna be one very cool building, but I really want to see it start to take shape so we can get a much better idea of just how it will look.

Keep taking more pics as this is one project I am following very closely and being from Sydney, its just a bit difficult to take the pics myself :).

Another drive-by from today 1st Feb 04....

http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur03.jpg

It's only a matter of time before they catch up with you after all these drive by shootings! Great photo as always.

Good to see that Aurora is starting to get a move on.

No, they'll never get me unless I photograph my car's reflection... which ain't gonna happen.

Hopefully this tower should go up pretty quickly, like Felix did (which is similar).

yea, it's been under contruction for ages but it's only now starting to rise up. i can't wait for this one to start making an impact on the skyline.
:cheers:

I'll try my best to get down there once a month to get some pics

Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but…

Courier Mail 4/2/2004

Tall order for city’s tallest tower block – Bob Willson

Brisbane’s tallest residential tower, Aurora, is set to reach 200m on completion in early 2006, with developers granted approval for two additional floors.
The $225 million Aurora project at 420 Queen St, which is under construction, will now reach 69 levels.
Development managers APH commissioned the extension following overwhelming buyer demand for Aurora’s 456 apartments.
Canberra’s Amalgamated Property Group took over development of the project in early 2003, retaining APH Properties as development manager.
Marketing company Property Direct yesterday said there was only one Heritage apartment and one two-level Skyhome still for sale in Aurora. The Cottee Parker-designed building’s four floors of penthouses will be released at a later stage.
“Aurora was destined to be met with high demand for a number of reasons – favourable local market conditions, forecast for continued CBD growth and the product’s own unique features,” APH managing director John Wilson said.
“Such has been our sales success that adding another two floors will only go part way to satisfying the pent-up demand for Aurora stock.”
The added levels will create 18 new opportunities for buyers to secure apartments priced from $500,000.
(there is more but it is all about the management of the building after completion)

Originally posted by Orfeo
Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but…

Courier Mail 4/2/2004

Tall order for city’s tallest tower block – Bob Willson

Brisbane’s tallest residential tower, Aurora, is set to reach 200m on completion in early 2006, with developers granted approval for two additional floors.
The $225 million Aurora project at 420 Queen St, which is under construction, will now reach 69 levels.
Development managers APH commissioned the extension following overwhelming buyer demand for Aurora’s 456 apartments.
Canberra’s Amalgamated Property Group took over development of the project in early 2003, retaining APH Properties as development manager.
Marketing company Property Direct yesterday said there was only one Heritage apartment and one two-level Skyhome still for sale in Aurora. The Cottee Parker-designed building’s four floors of penthouses will be released at a later stage.
“Aurora was destined to be met with high demand for a number of reasons – favourable local market conditions, forecast for continued CBD growth and the product’s own unique features,” APH managing director John Wilson said.
“Such has been our sales success that adding another two floors will only go part way to satisfying the pent-up demand for Aurora stock.”
The added levels will create 18 new opportunities for buyers to secure apartments priced from $500,000.
(there is more but it is all about the management of the building after completion)

Wouldn't you think that if the demand was there as they're saying that they would of probably added more floors on rather than 2 floors. I mean whats the difference really between 2 floors, 5 floors or even 10 floors???? - IF THEY HAVE ALL THIS DEMAND........

Or isn't it as simple as that??

well thats good, its official now. I remember a few montha ago i talked to a Bovis LL manager on site and he said there putting info 2 more floors to total 69st and 207m high. Im glad they got approval. Auroras roof (198m) is actually 2m lower than Riparians but its blades/plantroon reaches 207m.

Read the article early this morning and the first thing that popped into my head was "Cul's right again".

Good stuff :)

I wonder where they are going to insert the extra two floors.

Looking at the render on the website, the logical spot is just under the two storey skyhomes section - this would better maintain the pattern of the facade. Most of Aurora is nine units per floor so it appears that they are adding two more standard floors.

The "from $500,000" is interesting given that the standard floor has six units across the front with river views and three across the back with city views only. Wonder what the front ones are worth?

Originally posted by NCC1701D
Wouldn't you think that if the demand was there as they're saying that they would of probably added more floors on rather than 2 floors. I mean whats the difference really between 2 floors, 5 floors or even 10 floors???? - IF THEY HAVE ALL THIS DEMAND........

Or isn't it as simple as that??

well im not positive on this but i remember hearing somewhere that after a building is approved theres only a certain amount of change allowed before another DA is needed to be approved. im guessing two levels or roughly 7m is the max amount of change they are allowed or wanted to go. Lodging another DA would have been costly and timely, delaying construction and etc, which would have basically eroded any financial gain out of adding the two extra floors.

well heres to another 200m for Brisvegas :cheers: :cheers:

Yeah, I think I remember someone, it might have been Finn, saying that you can only alter the height by something like 2% or 10%, wihtout requiring a whole new DA submission.

Taken today 7/2/04 :cheers:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pd694a245cf983956e71e7d75ecc599dc/f9b2431c.jpg

Thing have been a bit quiet on the Aurora side lately. Its only been 10days since the last photos taken, but has there been any progress worth talking about anyone ???.

It would be great if someone got into the Boeing bulding or the other building next door and took a photo looking down onto the site. That way we could see the shape and size of the tower taking place as the street level pics unfortunately have the tower blokced by the protecting mesh surrounding the building.

Nothing appears to have changed from the outside, but something that may interest a few here is that when they close the footpath off, instead of making the pedestrians walk around across the road (past the CUA building), they have built a passage through the construction site, meaning you walk through Aurora instead of around it.

Inside they have artwork from local schools depicting a "reach for the stars" theme (so lots of kids paintings of skycrapers etc) and even more intersting are the windows looking into the site itself, so if youve never been inside a construction site this is probably as close as you'll get. Definately worth a look if you can get into the CBD during work hours!

Now that sounds awesome. If anyone has a digi camera, it would be cool to get some pics of this.

I have been planning for ever to fly up there to brissy to check out the site, but havent yet until the tower starts to peek its head out :). Hopefully mid next month that should happen and then I will get up there.

Cant wait to see some pics of whats going on !!

Originally posted by Dorigen
Nothing appears to have changed from the outside, but something that may interest a few here is that when they close the footpath off, instead of making the pedestrians walk around across the road (past the CUA building), they have built a passage through the construction site, meaning you walk through Aurora instead of around it.

Inside they have artwork from local schools depicting a "reach for the stars" theme (so lots of kids paintings of skycrapers etc) and even more intersting are the windows looking into the site itself, so if youve never been inside a construction site this is probably as close as you'll get. Definately worth a look if you can get into the CBD during work hours!

I walked through there today!! You go right past the lobby elevators and there are windows that look out into the construction. They have about 5m to go before the podium tops out. They have started on the tower section of the core already.

My guess is that they will have a quiet period soon similar to most other skysrapers in Brisbane. They seem to like to do the podiums and then break for a few months.

jt

it seems to be taking a while to get off the ground ! i wonder if they too are running behind schedule like riparian

Photo taken today inside the "pedestrian corridor". Photos not possible through windows due to reflections.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/21feb04aurora1.JPG

There doesn't appear to be too much progress on the tower yet. I took a photo from the same spot last month and there's not much difference.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid108/p0133415acdc8838e2c14c291fb47bee0/f93e2595.jpg

Geeze, they are taking their time on this one. OH well, good things take time. Thanks for the photo Chrisso

they probably had to stop work for a month so the construction workers could draw those purty pictures in the corridor...

when Aurora does finish it will be worlds 45th tallest apartment tower! not bad eh.If Emerald ever gets off the ground
it will come in at 17th.

BUILDING LOCATION HEIGHT STOREYS YEAR
M
Q1 TOWER SURFERS PARADISE, QLD, AUST 322.5 (roof-275m) 78 2005UC
EUREKA TOWER MELBOURNE, VIC, AUST 297 91 2005UC
21ST CENTURY TOWER DUBAI, UAE 269 (roof-240m) 55 2003 #
TRIUMPH PALACE MOSCOW, RUSSIA 264 (roof-216m) 61 2004
TOWER PALACE 3 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 263.5 73 2004
TRUMP WORLD TOWER NEW YORK CITY,USA 262 73 2001#
MOK DONG-HYPERNIAN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 256 69 2003
SORRENTO 1 HONG KONG, CHINA 256 75 2003
HARBOURSIDE HONG KONG, CHINA 255 75 2003
HIGHCLIFF HONG KONG, CHINA 252 72 2003

STATE TOWER BANGKOK, THAILAND 247 68 2001
THE TOWER DUBAI, UAE 243 54 2002
MOK DONG-HYPERNIAN2 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 239 66 2003
SORRENTO 2 HONG KONG, CHINA 236 66 2003
TOWER PALACE 2 SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 234 66 2002
HARBOURFRONT HONG KONG, CHINA 232 66 2001
WORLD TOWER SYDNEY, NSW, AUST 230 73 2004
AL FATTAN TOWER DUBAI, UAE 230 (roof-215) 61 2005UC
THE BELCHERS 5 HONG KONG, CHINA 227 61 2001
THE BELCHERS 6 HONG KONG, CHINA 227 61 2001

THE BELCHERS 1 HONG KONG, CHINA 221 63 2000#
THE BELCHERS 2 HONG KONG, CHINA 221 63 2000
TREGUNTER TOWER 3 HONG KONG, CHINA 220 (roof 202) 66 1993 #
THE SUMMIT HONG KONG, CHINA 220 65 2001
CIRCLE ON CAVILL 2 SURFERS PARADISE,QLD, AUST 219.5 70 2005UC
SORRENTO 3 HONG KONG, CHINA 218 64 2003
THE BELCHERS 8 HONG KONG, CHINA 214 61 2001
THE BELCHERS 3 HONG KONG, CHINA 214 61 2000
VICTORIA TOWERS 1 HONG KONG, CHINA 213 62 2003
VICTORIA TOWERS 2 HONG KONG, CHINA 213 62 2003

VICTORIA TOWERS 3 HONG KONG, CHINA 213 62 2003
SORRENTO 5 HONG KONG, CHINA 212 62 2003
TOWER PALACE 1/C SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 209 59 2002
TOWER PALACE 1/A SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 209 59 2002
AURORA TOWER BRISBANE, QLD, AUST 207 69 2005UC
SORRENTO 6 HONG KONG, CHINA 206 60 2003
FRESHWATER PLACE MELBOURNE, VIC, AUST 205 62 2005UC
BERJAYA TIMES SQ A KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA 203 48 2003
BERJAYA TIMES SQ B KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA 203 48 2003
1322 ROXAS BOULEVARD MANILA, PHILLAPINES 203 57 2002

ISLAND RESORT TOWER 1 HONG KONG, CHINA 202 60 2001
ISLAND RESORT TOWER 3 HONG KONG, CHINA 202 60 2001
ISLAND RESORT TOWER 6 HONG KONG, CHINA 202 60 2001
ISLAND RESORT TOWER 8 HONG KONG, CHINA 202 60 2001
MOK DONG-HYPERNIAN C SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 201 54 2003
KENNEDY TOWER HONG KONG, CHINA 197 59 2004UC
LAKE POINT TOWER CHICAGO, USA 197 69 1968 #
RIVER EAST CENTRE CHICAGO, USA 196 58 2001
SHARP STAR CITY A SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 196 58 2006UC

#= tallest in the world on completion.

AUSTRALIA'S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL TOWERS 2005 (TOP 10)

BUILDING LOCATION HEIGHT STOREYS YEAR
M
Q1 TOWER SURFERS PARADISE, QLD, AUST 322.5 (roof-275m) 78 2005UC
EUREKA TOWER MELBOURNE, VIC, 297 91 2005UC
WORLD TOWER SYDNEY, NSW, 230 73 2004
CIRCLE ON CAVILL 2 SURFERS PARADISE,QLD, 219.5 70 2005UC
AURORA TOWER BRISBANE, QLD, 207 69 2005UC
FRESHWATER PLACE MELBOURNE, VIC, 205 62 2005UC
CENTURY TOWER SYDNEY,NSW 183 50 1997
CHEVRON 2,SURFERS PARADISE,QLD 172 50 2004
VERVE 501 MELBOURNE,VIC 170 45 2005UC
PEAK SYDNEY,NSW 166 46 1996

14th of March
http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur04.jpg :)

Amazing dedication to the forum given the weather!

Looking closely at your photo, the signs refer to the "Australis penthouse levels". Wonder whether this name just refers to the top of the building?

Could be a bit of clever marketing. Aurora Australis = Southern Lights - a natural light show over the Antarctic area. Aurora Borealis = Northern Lights - the Arctic area equivalent.

Could that mean that there will be a nice lighting feature on the top of this building also???

Originally posted by RUM
Could that mean that there will be a nice lighting feature on the top of this building also??? Something like this would be okay -

http://science.nasa.gov/spaceweather/aurora/images2004/11mar04/Krochuk1_med.gif

I was speaking to a couple of electricans on the auroa site on the weekend.They had been working on the neon signs that are attached to the tower crane.They told me that the two cranes on site hit each other and the signage lights were damaged.I asked them was there any height level at which lights have to be displayed ,as far as they believed there isn't. Does anyone know if there are certain requirements for lighting of tower cranes ? I noticed there aren't any lights on the cranes at Brisbane Square or for that matter any signage

Laws vary for every state,in Qld you would notice all luffing tower cranes have booms painted either red or white or a combination of both colours which makes them visible at night i was working on the precinct building in George street in the mid 80s when a towercrane across the road had to be climbed down have the boom removed and repainted red and white them climbed back up before it could be used on any construction,you will see aircraft warning lights on Riparians and Auroras cranes because eventually they will be the highest points in Brissy.There are laws relating to signage an tower cranes which limit them to either the developers name or the buildings name a good way to advertise actually.Cheers

Everything that scrapes our skies have laws and regualtions on 'em. Advertising the developer's and/or construction co.'s name @ night is a relatively new thing in Australia. Makes a night skyline all that more!

Defectr8's idea for the night-lighting is pretty cool. Aurora borealis-like changing subdued colours. Yey!

Look at that fuckin' huge site!!

In regards to signage on the crane, when Watpac was building McCarthur Central 2 of the cranes had Woolworths and Big W banners posted over them. These had to be removed as Woolworths Limited did not own the crane, thus this was against the local council/state policies I believe. Only the owner of the crane can have its signage on it.

Developers,Builders,buildings name and the cranes owner,i work for S.E.C.A in brissy and we have been looking at doing a christmas lighting theme on all our cranes still standing come December.cheers

Some news, I was looking out my office window today and could clearly see that the top of the podium is pretty much finished, and formwork for the actual building is being set up with big spikes of reo sticking up all over the place. Looks like its about to start heading up soon!

I noticed during the week that Aurora is becoming more visible from the Story Bridge.

Looks like the podium is coming along nicely. Still doesn't seem to be too much progress on the actual tower yet. Picture taken yesterday 3/4/04

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid110/pfbcdbc178553ba36df104d97d346b779/f92398ff.jpg

Good lot of updates chrisso. Surprised we didn't run into each other! Go Lions!

Construction on the tower has definately started, you just cant see it from street level yet :) I'll see if I can get some pics from my office window - they wont be very good (thanks to another building in the way) but some might find it interesting.

Hmmm, any updates, new pics etc ??.

Is the tower starting to appear at all ??.

Hmmm, any updates, new pics etc ??.

Is the tower starting to appear at all ??.

I didn't notice much progress last time I was in the city a couple of weeks ago, but as Dorigen pointed out, it's difficult to notice work on the tower from street level at this stage. I'll try to get out to Kangaroo Point next week to get some more pics.

make up a badge that says bovis leand lease and ask to go on the roof of a neighbouring tower

You can just see a bit of the tower poking up above the podium levels. (when standing on Wharf St). The podium really is quite massive.

Starting to make an appearance from behind Customs House now.

Picture taken from Kangaroo Point this morning 24/4/04.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid113/p4abe9758a33d48a08afe208dde586f34/f8e83018.jpg

and from the same place 28/2/04
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid108/p0133415acdc8838e2c14c291fb47bee0/f93e2595.jpg

Photo taken today.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/24apr04aurora1.JPG

Good pictures guys, I'm starting to get excited about this one.

I cant wait for the tower to start to really show itself. Its just peeking out right now, but not too much to see.

This is gonna be one awesome building when its done :)

Please all u brissy people, keep the photos coming :)

Developers,Builders,buildings name and the cranes owner,i work for S.E.C.A in brissy and we have been looking at doing a christmas lighting theme on all our cranes still standing come December.cheers
Sure Thing, can just see Mr T shelling out the money for this!!!!! SECA cranes become the christmas trees of SE QLD. Not in this Life!

The Tower is now on its way!!!

A great view can be had if you walk up Wharf Street - you can see that the first level of the apartment section has already gone up. The view is better on Wharf up by the intersection with Adelaide because its higher!.

jt

Woohooo, this is exciting indeeded. Photos please anyone photos :).

Thanks for the pic duke.

Did this one spend a disturbingly long time being a hole in the ground, or have I just not been watching closely enough?

Photo taken today. First part of podium facade has been revealed.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/01may04aurora.JPG

Wow, finally we get to see something. It will be great once the tower gets up a few floors so we can get a much better idea of how it will all start to look.

This is great, I really look forward to watching the progress of Aurora going skywards.

bugger the podium i wanna see the tower >:)

The Home magazine in the Courier Mail today has an advertisement for the Australis Penthouses complete with new render. Prices start at $1.1M for a 2 bedder.

Check the new website http://www.australispenthouses.com.au/australisPenthouses.html

(Don't bother trying to view the floorplans though as all of the links are broken!)

Edit - floorplans now available - 10 May.

Ok, well its been over a week since the last photos. Any news of if the tower is starting to appear ??, or better still, photos ??.

Geeze, I wish we knew someone in the buildings next to Aurora who could take some shots looking down on the site.

I'll be in town tommorow, so I'll try to get some pictures then.

I'm looking out my window and can only just see a part of the construction site (only a thin strip between Aurora and Boeing), doesnt look like much has changed in the last couple of weeks height-wise. Cranes are going all day though so they are clearly doing something there!

Dorigen r u in one of those building looking down onto the site ??. As soon as that tower is visble from the ground, Im gonna fly up to check it out. Its taking forever for it to go up, but I suspect that once it does, it will go up fairly quickly.

As for a photo update Chrisso, that would be awesome mate.

I feel so bad always asking people to take photos and stuff, so please everyone know that its very much appreciated.

Well I think I might know why there is a delay. Two reasons infact.

Bovis Lend Lease is going to employ a special kind of 'jump' system on Aurora. It will basically move the whole level up at one time. Apparently this is a relatively new technology, being used on 1 building at the Gold Coast??? I'm not sure of specifics, but it basically means less crane time etc, meaning a rise every 6-8 days. It will involve alot of preliminary construction.

Second reason is related to the first! The union is unhappy (due to quicker completion time etc) and Bovis is having some union action. So maybe there is a reduced work force on site???

Oh, totally unrelated, but a friend works for the planning firm that is doing Emerald tower, anyhow, the major stumbling block apparently that the builders want to close off access to a small lane that links Ann and Adeldaide streets during construction. Council isn't very happy bout that. Thats the main reason for all the stalling. Thats from the horse's mouth!

Photo taken yesterday. It's very hard to get the right vantage point, plus the sun was in exactly the wrong place! Not much apparent change since my photo in late April.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/13may04aurora1.JPG

Taken this morning

From the Story Bridge
http://img63.photobucket.com/albums/v192/chrisso/Aurora/aur_150504_1.jpg

http://img63.photobucket.com/albums/v192/chrisso/Aurora/aur_150504_2.jpg

Good shots Chrisso. Good to see you've been up early pounding the streets!
Story Bridge seems to be the best vantage point for Aurora at present - now we just need someone with optical zoom to get a shot from the bridge!

Taken from the Corner of Wharf and Adelaide.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid116/pb7acce3acaa680642a3dd37697cf3808/f8a5aeab.jpg


I have optical zoom so I will try to get over to the bridge in the next couple of days.

OK, managed to get to the bridge today, unfortunately its hard to get a decent pic because its in the shade.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid117/pd0b1957ca2ba5724821f61ec8b6690f4/f8a4dfa1.jpg

Wow, thats an awesome photo GMAC. Thanks again to everyone for the photos. I promise when I fly up in a few weeks, Ill post some too :).

Should be another few weeks to a month before we get to get an idea of the shape of the building as the tower starts to creep skywards. Its all looking very good.

GMAC, u said you took the photos from the bridge, where on the bridge or around the bridge did u take it from ??.

Good pictures guys, we are going to be going crazy over this one in a few months.

Nice classic car in GMAC's street picture.

Walexx, I took the pic from the Kangaroo Point end of the bridge, about 20-30 metres from the main part of the bridge on the approach. If you have a look at a map, I was probably in line with Mackenzie St.

Thanks GMAC, now if only I knew where any of that was hehehehe. Sorry Im a Sydney boy (for now) but Brissy will be a place Illl be travelling to more often, so I will get very familiar with it very soon.

I agree Aussie Bhoy, the next few monthhs are going to be very exciting. It cant come quick enough for me :)

Couple of photos taken today - drive by shots!

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/22may04aurora1.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay2/22may04aurora2.JPG

What is going on with the ugly "steel works" type facade of the building next door. It seems to have been that way for a long time.

I think its just there to hold the old facade together so that all the construction work around it doesnt weaken the structure. It will be restored with the new residential building behind it.

This is going to be one very kick ass project when its completed. Definately a stand out development.

Now if only they would start on the tower so that we can get some great photos :)

What is going on with the ugly "steel works" type facade of the building next door. It seems to have been that way for a long time.

The same sort of structure is used to stabilise all of the historical facades around Brisbane after the buildings behind have been demolished. The one on Aurora has been in place for many years. Here's a shot of the Panorama Sky site in Ann Street.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/johnthay3/7decsky2.JPG

and there is a very similar structure stabilising the historical facade that will be part of Charlotte Towers at 128 Charlotte Street (sorry, no photo).

They would have to be 2-3 floors above the podium now surely.

You can acutally see the building now, but it is still quite low.

rise Aurora rise!!!! god damn it!

Lord Mayor Tim posted a couple of weeks ago about a new climb form system to be used on Aurora which will do a complete floor at a time. I drove past there today (no photo sorry) and the white panels that have been apparent in the last few photos now seem almost complete so maybe we are going to see a rise soon.

Shots taken this morning - click to enlarge...

http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur05_small.jpg (http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur05.jpg)

http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur06_small.jpg (http://server4.vnpages.net/~one/bne/aur06.jpg)

Thank you to defec8r for the inspiration for this my first go at doing something on photoshop. You will need to excuse the quality as it has nothing on the work that defec8r has done on the riparian thread, but it does give a basic idea of how this sucker is going to look on the skyline.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid119/p256eeee731de24106c16391eb76e1c33/f8706e57.jpg

Excellent work GMAC- I tried something similar myself and it looked like it was done by a two year old with crayons!! Now all we need is for someone with more skills than me to expand the shot and add Emerald!

Looks pretty goood to me. Cant wait to see the real thing. I wish my photoshop skills were good, but alas, Im just not good at that stuff. Well done GMAC.

youll have to extend photo somehow and include Emerald! now that would look good!

Excellent work GMAC- I tried something similar myself and it looked like it was done by a two year old with crayons!! Now all we need is for someone with more skills than me to expand the shot and add Emerald!

give me two years and i will give it to you absolutely perfect!