...with grotesque amounts of car parking :runaway: :D

Guys, this was never going to be a particularly *attractive* tower. I think the developers always knew they weren't on a winning design here (for what they wanted to niche market to the upper echelon/s of society).

Exactly. In this case, the developers are definitely aiming more for quality apartments and interiors than the look of the building itself from the outside. It is so rare that the two go hand in hand! Eureka's more the other way around - while it's a sensationally designed tower from the outside, the interiors of apartments themselves aren't that great - similar to a lot of other FKAU developments.

i like the design.im a sucker for setbacks.thats why i like old style NYC scrapers from 30's . I love the ide of a large base and tower floor plate getting smaller as it rises. terminates with a spire. excellent.
looks like lev35 floor has been reached with 38in corebox, so height 133m.5 more floors to go.

^^^

CUL, the "Set Backs" better start pretty damn quick as it looks like a big, fat , SHORT, STUMPY pregnant woman at the moment ! LOL !

cheers

lozza

Doesn't look so stumpy from this angle loz ;), one of silvermb's pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/sakor1/rdt200505.jpg

Lovin' it.

Stu

^^^

Yeah, it looks way better from that angle

cheers

loz

...RDT building shape does appear deceptive from different angles.

Rendering with design hope will take effect on carpark side adjacent ST James, as does indeed add interest based on original model drawing. If not, wonder if another Mirvac tower 5 case exists :)

Seriously, though, likley 42 Levels towering over St James by mid August '05.

With rate of progress to date; completion may occur before years' end, despite accounts of in early 2006 (01-02/2006). Remaining subject to internal progress.

p.s
Nice pictures above of ST. Kilda Rd and surrounds in its former glory.

interesting view from the back yard? not so stumpy hey, about seven more floors to be poured?

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rdt200506.jpg

again fab pix silver.
what i can gather
glazing up to lev30
floors up to 36
corebox-lev39
cheers

RDT sticks out like dogs balls (compared to the rest of St. Kilda Rd) from Doncaster. Someone should get up there to take a pic. Melbourne is really densing up.

my only gripe about RDT is that its finish is too similar to Sebel next door.
They could of made it stand out more with dif glass ect. but its seems to blend in with Sebel? was that part of approval?

silvermb pic

http://img16.echo.cx/img16/279/rdt2005063ki.jpg

^ In that pic it does, in others it doesn't.

Anyway, I like the idea of it looking like a bit of a complex. Similar but different - Sebel relies more so on vertical elements than RDT does with its horizontal.

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rdt2005061.jpg

wow, nice silver. counted floors-38, core-40. close to top out.
cheers

Somehow ended up at the war memorial on the weekend... unfortunately without my camera. Given how close RDT is to the shrine the views from the top would have to be very similar and geeze are they awesome... since the last time I was there southbank has bulked up considerably, the view showed Melbourne the most dense and massive I think I have seen from any angle. Was truly awesome!!

yes, Melbourne has really progressed since 2000! an amazing 40skyscrapers over 300ft/90m has been added to CBD/Docklands/Southbank & St kilda rd! its gone from the 1992 phase to 2005 phase!

Crane climbing this weekend, starting to tower over Hallmark next door.

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/IMG_4724.JPG

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/IMG_4732.JPG

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/IMG_4737.JPG

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/IMG_4747.JPG

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/barsby/DSCN2024.jpg

Great photos... heard that certificate of occupancy to issue March '06 and RDT done month before. :cheers:

http://www.melbournephotos.net/pics/2005-06-25%20Melbourne%20-%20Albert%20Park%20at%20Sunset/IMG_6730.jpg

cool shot dan. looks just about there.

cool shot dan. looks just about there.It sure is a very cool shot.

The top of the corebox is where it will top out no?

Cranes, cranes everywhere!! RDT, Hallmark, E&Y Plaza...

ive checkout the elevation i have of RDT and drawn up an update of exactly where its at.i think? lol

http://img299.echo.cx/img299/8183/rdt3kq.jpg

Way cooler...Looks like there's still a *few* metres left in the old gal yet!! :dizzy:

http://img65.echo.cx/img65/8465/p6270901edited1cw.jpg

core pouring there today, should rise soon (last time?)

I dont see what all the fuss is about?

I much preferred the decadence of the heavily 1930's-Manhattan influenced 2001 proposal for RDT.

I still think it looks pretty damn good. Far more interesting than most of the other St Kilda Rd devlopments, I'm a fan of the "Sears Tower" multilayered design, more interesting than say something like Naru House or Q1 (another reason why the big E rules). I was impressed with the models when I had a look at the display apartment and it's shaping up well.

Just one question though, wasn't it designed by the same mob who were going to build the much lamented Imperium tower? Anyone know?

it still has nothing on YVE except height of course :)

I dont see what all the fuss is about?

I much preferred the decadence of the heavily 1930's-Manhattan influenced 2001 proposal for RDT.


The fuss, I guess, is that it is a significant height building off the CBD grid, and will makes a big impact on the skyline from certain perspectives, particularly from the south. As someone said early in the threads, it is going to appear taller than the East Enders from there, and for that reason I find it one of the most interesting to watch rise atm, and I'm surprised that it hasn't had more attention.

I agree however, that it lost something from the original design, particularly the sphere (love spheres) and it would be interesting to know why that happened. I also agree that it doesn't have the elegance of Yve, but I think the stepped top with spires is not going to look too bad. :)

I think I'm liking it less and less as it goes on

I have never seen a good render of the new design (if anyone has one please re-post), but thinking about it I am wondering whether the new structure at the top is meant to pay more respect to the pyramidic form of The Shrine, where perhaps the original sphere would not. Not a new idea maybe, just a thought.

these are all i could find. showing sphere uptop.

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6923/rdt20bv.jpg

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/6186/rdt8yy.jpg

elevation shows what will be built.
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8494/rdtele7ru.jpg

^^ See, very classy. Just need to bring back the sphere....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v733/barsby/DSCN2401.jpg

RDT certainly making an impact from Point Gellibrand, Williamstown.

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/willy%20and%20city%20night/IMG_4991_1rs.jpg

Thanks for the responses everyone: as I suggested, this one does make a stand-out contribution, and as E and FWP top out, it will also be pleasurable watching Verve-Milano begin toi do the same at the other end.

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/21-07-2005%20tour/general/Picture%20170.jpg

Almost there!

Nice shot too, good to see a new angle.

Almost there!

Nice shot too, good to see a new angle.Ineed, Saithkar. Maybe one or 2 more floors to go...and the there is/are the spire/s to go atop.

See
http://www.royaldomaintowers.com.au/main.html

Change: f/plans. Click coloured grids will show what sold & remains, plus dynamic f/plans with views (lower floors 1501 is used for most. Some measurements on plans are inconsistent too (e.g Apr 2901 c.f upper that has no balcony) Views from each would help. But otherwise good improvement.

Note -- of apts sold earlier from start; f/plans would be same or different depening on buyers modifications. So not all apt f/plans sold will look same as live on above website (This is what makes believe this blding different to others where no changes permitted. However, it's also another reason why deadline of July 2005 changed to now March/April '06.)

Level 42 last week. Roof nearly done.
Ciao

Ineed, Saithkar. Maybe one or 2 more floors to go...and the there is/are the spire/s to go atop.

Ah, so I take it you too, Muse are a fan of the proposed sphere?

i think it looks great with the twin spires ! better than the sphere in my opinion !

cheers

lozza

great shots guys. looks like level 42 floors are being done and lev44 is on core, so its topped out.
good stuff

great shots guys. looks like level 42 floors are being done and lev44 is on core, so its topped out.
good stuff42 I believe is the top level for the penthouse/s. So are levels 43 & 44 for the LMR and maintenance levels?...or even including a top-level swimming pool?

...

yeah im pretty sure its LMR/plant. not sure about p00l

Pool...ground floor.

Roof (43/44)... plant room and lift core roofs.

Thanks. I looked @ the website but couldn't see anything planned for exterior setbacks. Surely they would be utilised, perhaps as entertainment areas...ya know, the barbie-q etc..

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2461/P7311093.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5186/P7311106.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8118/P7311175.jpg

The master returns....

The last one especially is great.

I was lookin out the window at the sky this arvo thinkin...beautiful day, should I go out and take some photos...no need to, hacksaw took them for me.

Last photo is top notch. :okay:

great.this ones topped out too! doesnt look too bad. from the rear looks ordinary, but from front looks superb!
cheers

I have been meaning to say to your diagram thread Cul, I don't think this one is topped out: look at the metal rodding still showing above the core - it looks as if it is for another core rise, rather than the top spires structure. ?

...and, if I'm not mistaken, I think the top structure comes above the floors still rising on the left of Hacksaw's picture ?

hmmm, maybe not ...maybe its a small floor and then the top structure above the core ...but still something more to come, I think: here's the elevation you posted recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/Bronteboy/rdtele7ru.jpg

i think core has topped out. yes there will be structures higher like the LMR and spires. ect

310 came down on weekend, leaving 1000 to finish the job.

http://www.melbournephotos.net/images/2005-08-02%20Melbourne%20-%20Collins%20st,%20Rialto%20Construction%20Updates%20and%20RMIT%20Rooftop/IMG_6986.jpg

Hey just looked out and the core box is half off!

yeah she topped outlast week. its time for box to come off. what an occasion.another 500footer for cityofmelb.just some plant and spire to go tad higher.
cheers

any change over month of august?
just updating diagrams

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/rdt200509.jpg

apparently the top spire section is happening atm.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~troneast/rdt/000_0017.jpg

Ah looking great, can't wait for the sphere thing, if they decide to go ahead with it.

:rock:

thanks jlb
saithcar, i think sphere has been replcaed with 2 small spires

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/Bronteboy/rdtele7ru.jpg

Looks great from richmond station/swan street area.

It will still look good even if they don't go with the sphere, but one of the reasons I liked that was not only did it suit the building, but it was something a bit different. Every other skyscraper has one or several sticky uppy things on the top (antenas, decorative spires, spires that look like antenas etc) but that sphere was destinctive and would make RDT stand out more than it does already.

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RDT 1 forum.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RDT 2 forum.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RDT 3 forum.jpg

This is a very very big tower that is making a huge impact on the southern skyline. I was a little concerned at first that it might be too big, but I think its ok, because it steps back unlike its neighbour next door (the old defence tower).

You're right aussie steve, and the facade ties in very nicely with its surrounds... its no groundbreaking design but is a great addition to the St Kilda Rd precinct.

great shots grol! good to see top section being done.really dwarfs its neighbours.
cheers

^It does and yet it fits in perfectly with the whole streetscape. I think it's one of Henderson's nicer buildings.

Wrong height, wrong location, average average average. maybe ok in southbank to hide some CE crap, but not so close to the shrine and every time i see the govt house, this thing creeps into my view. ugh. at least i'm glad that they lopped the ball on the top.

I hope they light the top bit up on Royal Domain Tower from the inside, kind of like World Tower in Sydney ! I love the neon blue effect of the top of World Tower Sydney. Melbourne needs something cool like that !

http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/RDT%203%20forum.jpg

I'm with you blabbs.

This is not a tower that screams out opulence. Just looks like a block of Gold Coast apartments.

Cheers,

Adam

i agree adam, its not special.

There is no way Melbourne could ever be as trashy and as bad at the Gold (Trash) Coast!

Wrong height, wrong location, average average average.I agree. People who admire this building need their eyes tested.

i agree adam, its not special.

It's one of the few more recent buildings on St Kilda Rd I wouldn't demolish had I the authority, so stands out like a Diamond in the Rust.

I agree. People who admire this building need their eyes tested.
oh now i see it.http://www.tvdance.com/chrisfarley/images/2a.gif

i still like it. i just like its stepped design.

LOL.

I wouldn't say it's that bad...
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/474/PA015282.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/200/PA015298.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3493/PA015337.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3207/PA015366.jpg

Nice shot of E&Y in the last pic. Great shots overall. I must admit RDT doesn't look to flash from some angles, but like Cul I like the stepped design and because I only ever see one side coming into the city (the better side of the tower) I can't complain.

For god sakes, its not that bad ! If u want bad, check out MLC in Sydney ! hehe ! Only joking CUL :puke:

Please light the top bit up "Neon Blue" from inside ! :rock:

Lozza

Nice shots, Hacksaw! The only part I'm not so keen on is the exposed concrete/glassless part right near the top, cheapens it from that angle I reckon, but overall, looking good!

I was saying the design wasn't that special pages back, and was slammed for it. Now a lot of you are saying it without a whimper from anyone else. I think I know the reason why this happens - grrrrr.

For me it's pushing shit uphill from the outset because it's right next to The Sebel on StKRd, which when it was built was the first tower that I truely thought...that rocks. Still one of my faves.

Then I cast my eyes on it and see it for the ugly piece of Gold Coast shit that it is. Add that to the fact that it breaches St Kilda Road height limits so that I can see it from even further away and its a lose, lose, lose situation.

Muse remember ... just because your paranoid doesn't mean noones out to get you.

AGREE. What a piece of crap. Melbourne is suppose to be better than this. It looks like Harry from sydney had a hand in this one- Biege, green glass and faceless pre-fab concrete walls. Yuk.

Its fine. Whiners :)

Saithkar, i think the top will be glazed to finish it off. I dont think it will stay looking like that, so dont panic just yet...

lozza

Nice shots, Hacksaw! The only part I'm not so keen on is the exposed concrete/glassless part right near the top, cheapens it from that angle I reckon, but overall, looking good!

^^ Good to know, cheers.

Its fine. Whiners :)Spot the difference ;)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3493/PA015337.jpg

lol. :)

Hummm ..... trash versus class

..... Still those guys in that housing commission tower have one sweet ass view.

I wouldn't say it's that bad...
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/474/PA015282.jpg^^ Wow look @ that density+.

Thanks again Hacksaw for such superb pics that you posted above :okay:

...

isnt that the tallest of the housing comm' flats?

if you go up lygon street, up the brunswick end, and look south it looks like eureka is attached as additional floors to the commy blocks there, kinda amusing, shame i didn't have a camera at the time.

isnt that the tallest of the housing comm' flats?

No it's Royal Domain Tower.

hehehehehe.

very funny Grol' but that doesn't answer my question.

The way I see it most high rise apartments are glorified commision flats anyway. Not that I have anything against res' appartments...don't get me wrong.

It's a good looking tower that suits St Kilda road. I wish more were built along it. Much much better tower than most res constructed in Melbourne apart from FWP and E.

very funny Grol' but that doesn't answer my question.


Yes, the tower in the picture is Park Towers which at 92m high and 31 levels was the pinnacle of the Victorian Housing Commisions high rise public housing program which led the world in the development of the precast concrete panel high rise from 1964 to 1975.

When completed it was the tallest precast concrete load-bearing-wall panel building in the world. It was also the third tallest building in Melbourne and the second tallest residential building in Australia.

It was the tallest residential building in Melbourne from 1969 to 1994.

It has been nominated for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register!

It has been nominated for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register!

Please say it isn't so!

sometimes a building is given heritage listing because purely on its method of construction or rarity in materials ect. The 1960's were a experimental time in Australia's highrise history, thus the many dif types of skyscrapers to come out of that era.

So you can get registered simply on the basis of extreme crapness if the method of construction of that crapness was absolutely crap?

Concrete is rare?

Cheers,

Adam

^ yes. its not a normal concrete bldg. For a start its load bearing wall panelled..
just think in 200 years there will be a historic building tour of melbourne and this will be one of the stops.lol

sometimes a building is given heritage listing because purely on its method of construction or rarity in materials ect. The 1960's were a experimental time in Australia's highrise history, thus the many dif types of skyscrapers to come out of that era.
Let's hope not much else from the 60s gets heritage protection, i.e. all the 6-pack flats scattered everywhere need to be bulldozed.

^ yes. its not a normal concrete bldg. For a start its load bearing wall panelled..
just think in 200 years there will be a historic building tour of melbourne and this will be one of the stops.lol

Considering precast originally had a lifespan of 30 - 50 years, if this block of comm. flats is still there in 200 years, it deserves to be included on any tour.

Remember all of these comm. flats were built with early model favco's, many of them still going round and round, up and down. :)

Thank god they turned the Factorys for making the comm houses into the holmsglen tafe, means they can't make more! well they can, but it would be harder.

It has been nominated for inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register!
Nooooooooooooooooo! :ohno:

i have just noticed that the idiots are cladding the top bit of RDT with this stupid bland concrete !

Why the hell didn't they put glass on it or something , or something translucent so you could shine it up from the inside at night time like a beacon !

bloody idiots ! :rant:

lozza

^exposed concrete is alot cheaper and easier to maintain.

^exposed concrete is alot cheaper and easier to maintain.
looks bad too (in most cases)
:bash:

you have to remember these towers are residential, which means most maintenance is achieved by buildings occupants or body corp fees. most tennants would like cheaper fees. they wouldnt care what there 40th floor unit looks like from street.only its internal decor.

you have to remember these towers are residential, which means most maintenance is achieved by buildings occupants or body corp fees. most tennants would like cheaper fees. they wouldnt care what there 40th floor unit looks like from street.only its internal decor.

It is suprising though that this has happened for this particular residential - one that prides itself on being "expensive" and "exclusive". In the words of their own advertising seen only last week in the paper, "unit prices start at $840,000 and escalate rapidly." It's a shame that they haven't put a bit more into the design of the building itself :(

This building os OK, but it's certainly not "expensive" or "exclusive" from the outside from any distance. I don't know what the foyer etc looks like, but you pay extra fo r that somthing "special" which in this case is location I guess, not the vibe of the building unfortunately.

as a long-time watcher of this building, i must say i am disappointed with the undistinguished way its turning out ...i just hope the 3-tiered, 2-spire structure on top (Cul's elevation in post 447) and the unfinished top floor, set back a little in the diagram, will finally give it some exterior sense of style.

the concrete up going up there at present looks very bland, but i think there are a few refinements of that to come.

hmm, I would have preferred if they stuck with the classic NY highrise design rather than see all that exposed concrete... :(

I guess you have to remember that this tower was designed and approved way back in 1996 when it would have been by far the tallest residential building in Melbourne.

This building was controversially approved for construction in 1996. It broke the existing St. Kilda Rd. height limit by 86m and was knocked back by the local council. The state government planning minister overturned this decision. In his opinion the tower would take attention away form the ulgy defence department tower next door which also broke the height limit in the 1970's (but only by 60m).

I guess the experiement of building a better, taller tower to take attention away from an existing ugly tall tower has been a miserable failure.

I guess you have to remember that this tower was designed and approved way back in 1996 when it would have been by far the tallest residential building in Melbourne.

Isn't it amazing what you can miss - I had absolutely no idea of the history behind the development! Thanks for filling in, Grollo. It all makes a lot more sense now - we're talking about a tower that is 9 years old before construction even finishes.

The tower was redesigned a number of times between 1996 and when constrcution started. So its not the original design, but close enough.

The changes in the design were realtively minor, like panels attached to the parking levels to make it look better and changing the sphere and spire to a box and twin spires.

I think they should have made much more significant changes like the gothic version, which I wish I saved the renderings of.

great shape, looked dodgy up close though. orange and brown dont mix

http://silvermb.thehoddlegrid.net/royaldomain_zenith2.jpg

The top section ofthe tower looks like aluminium panels:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/14-10-2005/rdt 13 forum.jpg

It is very imposing from Wells Street
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/14-10-2005/rdt 11 forum.jpg

It's now a 500 footer!
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/14-10-2005/rdt 12 forum.jpg

Grollo

Theyre either aluminium or coated steal, I saw them at ground level being hoisted off the truck the other day

have they added the 10m spire yet?

Nope.

thanks

Most interesting conversation yet. :rofl:

and i bet they wont either, the lightning conductor has been attatched but no spire. here's hoping the spire does come through, reckon it would actually add asthetically to the top section rather than being an afterthought like alot of spires are

who are the architects for rdt?

well after a bit o research, found out its Bruce Henderson. had a chat to them about final top design and they said the SPIRE has been omitted from design.you were right silver.

im awaiting official height to top box.could of actually gone up in height from 152m.? the top of box is AHD158m, so waiting for ground RL.

Could have gone up or down, it is a completely different design than the old design whch had fins and a spire.

Also the site is on a very big slope but the tower located on Wells Street not St. Kilda Road. There is another two older apartment buildings between the tower and St. Kilda Road as you can see in this pic:
http://web.aanet.com.au/nmharrison/14-10-2005/rdt%2012%20forum.jpg

OFFICIAL HEIGHT-
TOP OF BOX-158m AHD
RL AT WELLS STREET-3.6m AHD
HEIGHT ABOVE STREET= 154.4m

So its gone up in height (from 152m) but down also (down from 162m spire).lol
also he gave the height of Sebel Suites as 115m not 120m as listed on emporis.

So it will just be a very boring metal box on the roof, what a joke. The only reason it was approved was beacuse of the design of the building and the interesting roof ferature which was to be a sphere/spire combo. Whoever approved that minor amendment should be shot :-)

Permit approved by Jeff, made worse by Bracks hehehe.

Is the height for Sebel Suites from Wells Street and does it include the rooftop penthouse and LMR which was extended when it was converted into apartments?

yeah it does seem odd that the top remains without decoration? not even a spire. cost cut?
the sebel suites (now known as Somerset Botanic Gardens Melbourne) have an address at 348 St Kilda Road. I thought height ws taken from main address? if not , its 118m from wells st.(including plant/LMr ect)
cheers

grr - I want the globe on a stick
it's about the only thing that really distinguishes the tower and makes it special
surely it wouldn't cost that much

:(

the sebel suites (now known as Somerset Botanic Gardens Melbourne)

Actually, just for reference, the Somerset (previously known as Sebel) is just the small 5-ish-story building in front - the big apartment tower is St James (private apartments, rather than hotel, as far as I know).

Ironic to talk about cost cutting with a spire when all their newspaper adds brag about "The Best" and how expensive and snooty the thing is. Looking good but really needs a spire, and bring back the globe I say!

Hang on.....this tower is going to be topped by a square box? That's it?

I hate it.

Cheers,

Adam

the 2 renders on RDTs page on Emporis will have to removed and replaced with an actual photo.
adam,that means also you have to resubmit a diagram for ssp.

Not one of my diagrams, cul but I can change the heights on SSP.

Are we absolutely SURE there will be nothing on top? I was just thinking they may have thrown up a temporary lightning rod due to the recent severe storms forecast....ok, grabbing at straws here!

EDIT: The website still shows the sphere with a spire on it. &%$*!

http://www.royaldomaintowers.com.au/main.html

Cheers,

Adam

what a letdown. the box is a shocker

EDIT: just had to come back and say I find this absolutely unbelievable: supposedly a prestige building; one of the most sensitive sites in Melbourne vis a vis St kilda rd and the Shrine; and they've upended a lightweight shipping container on top of it. :bash:

Maybe they will do something else to make the box more interesting, surely they have to?

^llol, nah, the architect assured me -what you see is what you get. not even a coat of paint.

what a letdown. the box is a shocker

EDIT: just had to come back and say I find this absolutely unbelievable: supposedly a prestige building; one of the most sensitive sites in Melbourne vis a vis St kilda rd and the Shrine; and they've upended a lightweight shipping container on top of it. :bash:
I agree totally with Bronte on this.
The person who approved the changes should be tortured then shot along with the architect. :bash:

Let's not do anything brash now Collector.lol. I'm sure Bruce had no choice. Was Henderson also the architect for Flinders Wharf, (I think he was)? If so I've noticed that in renders of both towers they appeared to be painted white concrete (RDT more of a grey) and both turn out a tanned. Bit disappointed in regard to that.

well, i felt exercised enough to have someone put on another hat and make a call about this for me today...

The annodised aluminium box at the top is called 'The Cube' in the offices of architects Bruce Henderson Pty Ltd: it will be lit at night by a computerised sequence of coloured lights conceived by artist Alexander Knox.

What they can do about it in daylight hours, the contact could not say.

Largely, we have the planning department of the City of Port Phillip to thank for this ...and possibly former CoPP councillor and architect David Brand, who has been taking a concerned and horrified interest in this 'enormous' building within the CoPP boundaries for some years. Certainly he has been closely involved in the negotiations (he retired at the last council elections).

The CoPP had rejected the original 'sphere' concept at the top out of hand. My contact's informant could not even remember the tiered structure and spires which was to replace it...said 'The Cube' had been in negotiation with the CoPP planning department for a couple of years, and that Trustees of the Shrine of Remembrance had been kept closely informed...implied they had agreed to the proposed changes along the way.

Could not say why the project display site was still showing a different top in its renderings, except to say that the artwork had not been brought up to date.

hmmm...well, that's it. Thanks a lot, CoPP ...someone there apparently knows good design better than all of us, a cardboard box and coloured pencils - that's all I can say ...

Good- the only 500 footer outside of a CBD in Aust and it further stretches the CBD away from the 'grid'.

Bad- its f*cking terrible. :(

Yeah, without the spire its shit.

with a spire its still shit.

ok so it's not what we hoped but is it R E A L Y that awful? (waiting for a flood of yes replys)

We've been through this two weeks ago. Yes!

Clouds are angry!
http://www.melbournephotos.net/images/2005-10-27%20Melbourne%20-%20Skyline%20From%20South%20Melbourne%20/IMG_7345.jpg

RDT needs spire!
http://www.melbournephotos.net/images/2005-10-27%20Melbourne%20-%20Skyline%20From%20South%20Melbourne%20/IMG_7346.jpg

man, that lighting rod looks silly. i dont mind the patterned cube plus the smaller ones on each cnr.
cheers dan

I still think it is a decent turnout. I like the colour of the building, to me it seems like sandstone or something... I just like it. Whilst the cube would be great with a spire, I think it is not too bad on its own, I like the odd 'patterned' look it has and as CUL said how it matches with other corners. Really, IMHO it was not the best turnout by by no means is it horrible, many positives to come of it!

Stu

this tower is the worst of anything tall being built at the moment...it's a bigger CE project masquerading as good stuff in a prime location...it's defaced the shrine and the govt house, it's broken our height restrictions along st kilda rd, it has absolutely nil archimerit and up close it's just bluddy horrendous...i mean, look at that SH!T brown!!!

That's Me!bourne, that's sh!t!

geez ! this is totally fucked !

no spire ! what a fucking joke ! It looks totally stupid without a spire !

very dissappointed !

PS~ abd by the way tossers, if you are going to put a lightning rod on a building, put it in the middle of the roof, not on the edge ! what idiots !

lozza :rant:

this tower is the worst of anything tall being built at the moment...it's a bigger CE project masquerading as good stuff in a prime location...it's defaced the shrine and the govt house, it's broken our height restrictions along st kilda rd, it has absolutely nil archimerit and up close it's just bluddy horrendous...i mean, look at that SH!T brown!!!

That's Me!bourne, that's sh!t!

Agree with everything you said. IMO it looks like the kind of tower you would see in eastern or North Sydney (no offence) built in 1985 - beige with green glass, poor proportions, no overall form, or style, just a stack of floors, if you know what I mean.

^^^well, if i'd said it, offence would've been meant... :hahano:

^LOL But saying "no offence" is the best way to offend someone, while cutting their reply off at the knees ;).

I didn't say that.

this tower is the worst of anything tall being built at the moment...it's a bigger CE project masquerading as good stuff in a prime location...it's defaced the shrine and the govt house, it's broken our height restrictions along st kilda rd, it has absolutely nil archimerit and up close it's just bluddy horrendous...i mean, look at that SH!T brown!!!

That's Me!bourne, that's sh!t!

What irritates me most is the view of the Bay that it has blocked from the Shrine.

Does that stupid top look almost like a castle? ROYAL?

"Patterned Cube". Who designed it? It's a box with crap stuck on it.

BLECH!

Cheers,

Adam

Blabbyboy for Mayor [of Melbourne AND Port Phillip! :D]

:tyty:

geez ! this is totally fucked !

no spire ! what a fucking joke ! It looks totally stupid without a spire !

very dissappointed !

PS~ abd by the way tossers, if you are going to put a lightning rod on a building, put it in the middle of the roof, not on the edge ! what idiots !

lozza :rant:

it is a bit difficult to put the lighting rod in the middle of the roof cos there is none....i was up there the other day and it is hollow....

Gawd! Now they can't even bother putting a roof on the thing!

Cheers,

Adam

it is a bit difficult to put the lighting rod in the middle of the roof cos there is none....i was up there the other day and it is hollow....

i had noticed that too as it was being constructed - hope its well drained, or they put a plastic sheet over the top ..otherwise ?

Yes. But will refrain from the colourful languages others have used here :)
Disappointed no sphere (and ball) esp. when advertised all this time.. on rdt website, display etc... if known then advertsing/drawings could've been changed earlier

If lighting to be on top at night maybe similar to 8 dorcas, another b/henderson creation.

What no sphere.
What a joke completely ruined the tower. Colors don't match on the grey box on top. This is supposed to be 1000000 per apartment tower. What a joke.

transferring related outburst from the Eureka thread ...

I actually do a slow burn every time I see the top of RDT -dreadful, water cooler box in inappropriate materials, and sitting entirely at odds with the rest of a pretty ordinary-looking building to begin with. I actually feel like someone in the City of Port Phillip planning dept ought to be called to account for this: for their insistence on the removal of the original sphere, and then the tiered spires crown to give us this Cube ...an actual blight on the Shrine precinct, and the skyline generally.
Damn em, damn em, I say

btw, has anyone noticed how untidy the rest of the rooftop looks as they take down the scaffolding...the computerised night lighting of the cube is the only thing that promises any relief ...and its not going to be enough, I'm thinking

So then gentlemen, I'm gathering we DON'T like the tower? :)
Me, I thought it could've done with the spire. :runaway:

Blue

So then gentlemen, I'm gathering we DON'T like the tower? :)
Me, I thought it could've done with the spire. :runaway:

Blue

Blue. We hates it. We hates it to pieces. Bronte

Blue. We hates it. We hates it to pieces. Bronte
Indeed.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/dasa/ssc/rdta.jpg

is it finished now? that's a joke.
what a joke.

It'll probably end up being reclad totally in glass some day.

The only thing "deluxe" about this building is its bloody address, and even that since its completion has been downgraded, ughhh how could they get it so wrong?

FCDB

I dunno, from the angle in the last shot I don't mind it, the setbacks are nice. But it really, really needed that spire...

Stu

Bloody Jeff.

Has anybody taken any notice about how this tower is marketing itself?

There is usually an advert in The Age's Domain real estate section. Pathetic.
It makes reference that RDT is simply "the best", and home to Melbourne's elite. F**k that. "Frankly too expensive for the negatively geared market". I find it amusing they are using this false elitism and snobbery for marketing, when their development is an embarrisment to our skyline.

Yeah, the marketing tactics they have employed were commented upon earlier - hopefully the interiors of the apartments are a good deal better than the exterior, or else there will be a huge number of upset investors and owner-occupiers.

Leaving out the unspeakably flimsy, lightweight looking 'cube' sticking out of a solid masonry base, has anyone been up close enough recently to notice what the messy-looking projection sticking out of the South face near the top is...looks like some left-over construction from a distance, but I think they're finished.

Rooftop constructions too look untidy - like they've put a Chinese laundry up there. Maybe they have .

(It's silly, I know, but one keeps hoping the people from Hendersons and the City of Port Phillip planning department are reading some of this, and feeling a bit burned about it. They deserve it).

(It's silly, I know, but one keeps hoping the people from Hendersons and the City of Port Phillip planning department are reading some of this, and feeling a bit burned about it. They deserve it).

Oh man, I wish the planning people read Ozscrapers, they'd learn a thing or two then I'm sure, but whether they'd act on it is another story. Man if only we had that much power....

:cheers:

I was shocked when I saw this capped off with that cube thingy: that the sphere wasn't built! I haven't been keeping up with the news on this building. Man, it looks like a rush job, or a quick afterthought.

I bet they're gonna take this off one day and replace it with something else. It looks so ... temporary!

Yep, looks like a temporary corrugated iron tin shed up there...maybe it's the construction workers' dunnies yet to be removed?

^^^ ROFL

is it just a giant shed for the resident blokes to disappear to :runaway:

A building like this is begging for a party hat!

Just a comparison
now:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5481/P1065940.jpg
back in November '04:
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/623/pb2728048gn.jpg

my how its grown.really does need that spire.
great shots hack.

I think I liked it more in November '04.

what was I saying about the obscene amounts of car parking and how fucked up it looks? ;)

"oh shut up tays you public transport whore" bla bla wank wank - look at it! anyhow.

speaking of which, that detached multi-storey + officeworks = bang, another decent site (or two?).

I said ages ago in this RDT thread, this won't be a spectularly architectrual design...and boo, did I come under fire @ that time. :wallbash:

Count your blessings you Melburnian shitbags! Hupff! http://www.sayhey.co.uk/invboard/html/emoticons/duck.gif

yes I remember, and I also remember wholeheartedly agreeing with you.... that's right shitbags, told you so :tongue3: :happy:

Here's my take on it.

Crap enough?

http://www.users.bigpond.com/stclair2/RDTUP.gif

Most of the fiddling was with colour - the sandstone is impossible, so I just gave up. I know it needs to be more blue but too much blue in the windows makes it look stupid and cartoonish. Oh well, it's more accurate than the one on SSP which still has the spire.

Cheers,

Adam

the carpark will not be left exposed, there's still work to be done

Apart from the top, which is not in keeping with the rest of the building at all, I quite like this tower. It gives a great focal point to the mini skyline clustered around Domain junction.

the carpark will not be left exposed, there's still work to be done

Cool.

When they finish it, I'll fix it.

Cheers,

Adam

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3655/P1126121_edited.jpg

^^ Wish I'd had that pic a week or so ago, hacksaw!

Cheers,

Adam

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/21-01-2006/pics%20202rs_1.jpg

http://web.aanet.com.au/sirbugalugs/21-01-2006/pics%20204rs_1.jpg

Now that I've had time to think about it and examine the building from many different angles, I have decided that RDT has been emasculated. Not trying to mix metaphors here, but to be complete it needs it sticky uppy things and ball. Without them it's is a sad impression of what could have been. The ball and thingo maketh the building.

Poor old RDT.....