Eureka Tower

Eureka Tower
Eureka Tower, Southbank, Melbourne, as viewed from Rialto Towers
Record height
Tallest in Melbourne since 2006
Preceded by	120 Collins Street
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Residential Apartment Building, Observation Tower
Architectural style	Modern
Location	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates	37°49′18″S 144°57′52″E / 37.82167°S 144.96444°E / -37.82167; 144.96444Coordinates: 37°49′18″S 144°57′52″E / 37.82167°S 144.96444°E / -37.82167; 144.96444
Construction started	August 2002
Completed	October 2006
Cost	U$415m in 2006
Height
Architectural	297.3 metres (975 ft)
Top floor	292.3 metres (959 ft)
Observatory	282 metres (925 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	91 plus 1 underground
Floor area	123,000 m2 (1,323,961 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Fender Katsalidis
Developer	Eureka Tower Pty Ltd
Main contractor	Grocon
References

Eureka Tower is a 297.3-metre (975 ft) skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction began in August 2002 and the exterior completed on 1 June 2006. The plaza was finished in June 2006 and the building was officially opened on 11 October 2006. The project was designed by Melbourne architectural firm Fender Katsalidis Architects and was built by Grocon (Grollo Australia). The developer of the tower was Eureka Tower Pty Ltd, a joint venture consisting of Daniel Grollo (Grocon), investor Tab Fried and one of the Tower's architects Nonda Katsalidis. It was the world's tallest residential tower when measured to its highest floor, until surpassed by Ocean Heights and the HHHR Tower in Dubai. It is the second tallest building in Australia, behind Q1, Queensland, and is the tallest to roof (excluding spire). As of 2016 it is the 15th tallest residential building in the world.

Eureka Tower is named after the , a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush in 1854. This has been incorporated into the design, with the building's gold crown representing the gold rush and a red stripe representing the blood spilt during the revolt. The blue glass cladding that covers most of the building represents the blue background of the stockade's flag and the white lines also represent the Eureka Stockade flag. The white horizontal stripes also represent markings on a surveyor's measuring staff.

At the base of the tower is an art installation containing bees inside a white box, resembling a manmade beehive. There are two regular sized bees outside the box, and one queen bee on the top. The gold color of the bees complements the gold at the top of the tower. The installation was created by Richard Stringer and Nonda Katsalidis, and was complete in December 2007.