Q1 (building)
| Queensland Number One | |
|---|---|
 The world's tallest residential building | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Gold Coast, Australia |
| Coordinates | 28°00′22″S 153°25′46″E / 28.00611°S 153.42944°E |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 323 m (1,058 ft) |
| Roof | 275 m (902 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 78 |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | Sunland |
Q1 (meaning Queensland Number One) is a supertall skyscraper located in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast. It is the world's tallest residential tower, the tallest building in Australia and the second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere, behind Auckland's Sky Tower. Q1 was opened in November 2005.[1]
The landmark building has been recognised as one of Queensland icons during state's 150th birthday celebrations. Q1 has been identified as a potential terrorism target for the region.[2] For a short period of time, an apartment in the building, which was bought for AU$9 million by a Japanese restaurateur, was the most expensive ever paid for in Queensland.[3]
Height
At 322.5 m (1,058 ft) and with a roof height of 275 m (902 ft), Q1 qualifies as the world's tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire), but is the world's second tallest behind Melbourne's Eureka Tower (roof height of 297.3 metres, 975 ft) when measured to its roof height and highest inhabitable floor. However, according to the ranking system developed by the US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the main criterion by which heights are ranked is the height of the top of the spire, qualifying Q1 as the taller.
When completed, Q1 overtook the 21st Century Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to become the world's tallest residential tower. It is currently in the top 50 tallest buildings in the world when measured to its structural point, dwarfing the Gold Coast skyline with the closest buildings to Q1's height being the 220 m (720 ft) North Tower of Circle on Cavill and the under construction 250 m (820 ft) Soul building.
Q1 will lose its status as the world's tallest residential building sometime in 2010, when the 395 m (1,296 ft) 23 Marina in Dubai is completed, making it the second, and not soon after the third tallest residential building when the 414 m (1,358 ft) Princess Tower, also in Dubai, is completed.
D1 is one of the numerous skyscrapers currently undergoing construction in Dubai. A sister tower of Q1, D1 (Dubai Number One) will be shorter than its Australian counterpart, but with a taller roof height. Unlike Q1, D1 will not have a spire. Construction is expected to be completed in 2011.
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Design and construction
Q1 was designed by Atelier SDG, and its form was inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House.[1] The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling team of the 1920s – Q1.[1]
It was developed by The Sunland Group and built by Sunland Constructions. The building was the Silver Award winner of the 2005 Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in second to Turning Torso in Sweden.
The building is supported by 26 piles, each two metres in diameter, that extend 40 metres into the ground passing through up to four metres of solid rock. Q1 contains one, two and three bedroom apartments.[1] Building facilities include two lagoon swimming pools, a lap pool, gymnasium, small theatre, a ballroom and a spa centre.[1]
An application to construct a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid 2010.[4]
Observation deck
QDeck, the observation deck at levels 77 and 78 is Australia's only beachside observation deck, and has room enough for 400 people. It towers 230 metres above the Surfers Paradise beach, giving viewers a 360 degree view of Brisbane to the North, The Gold Coast Hinterland to the west, Byron Bay to the South and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The express elevator to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds.[1]
Building condition
In 2009, reports of disrepair and poor building conditions emerged.[5] Peeling paint which has revealed rusty steel inside and outside, as well as shattered glass panels are amongst the visible concerns. The Building Services Authority has confirmed it has received complaints in relation to the building.[5] The north stairwell was assessed as defective due to the stairwell pressurisation system not meeting the minimum air flow requirements during a fire emergency.[6] The Building Services Authority asked Q1's builders to rectify the problem in July 2010.
Gallery
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North view from the QDeck -
Looking south down the coast -
A night-time view north -
Inland toward the west
Events
Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site during New Year's Eve celebrations. The building is one of the most popular destinations for students celebrating schoolies week, despite the body corporate committee treasurer claims that most of the buildings unit owners were opposed to their stay.[7]
On 28 March 2007, two base jumpers made an early morning jump from a northern side apartment.[8] Base-jumping is illegal in Queensland. The professional skydivers pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court and were fined AU$750 without recording a conviction.[9]
See also
- Australian Landmarks
- D1 (building)
- List of skyscrapers
- List of tallest buildings in Australia
- List of tallest buildings on the Gold Coast, Queensland
- List of tallest freestanding structures in the world
References
- ^ a b c d e f Kevin Pilley (13 November 2008). "Q1". The Sydney Morning Herald: Travel. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ Darrell Giles (9 September 2007). "Q1 insures against terror". The Sunday Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ Greg Stolz (14 October 2006). "Penthouse owner buys unit for $16.85m". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ Tanya Westthorp (17 June 2010). "Q1's owners want to add thrilling skywalk up to tower's spire". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ a b Phil Bartsch (8 October 2009). "Q1 residential tower rusting, leaking and upsetting tenants". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ Phil Bartsch (9 October 2009). "Q1 highrise stairwell 'defective'". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "Q1 hoping to expel Schoolies". The Sunday Mail. Queensland Newspapers. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "$750 fine for Q1 BASE jumpers". Brisbane Times. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "Daredevil pair fined for jumping off Gold Coast skyscraper". ABC New South Wales. Australian Broadcastion Corporation. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
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