Sky Tower (Auckland)

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The Sky Tower is a telecommunications and observation tower in Auckland, New Zealand. Located at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets within the city's CBD, it is Template:Convert tall, as measured from ground level to the top of the mast,<ref name="official">Sky Tower Official page Template:Webarchive -</ref> making it the second tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere, surpassed only by the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> and the 28th tallest tower in the world. Since its completion in 1997, the Sky Tower has become an iconic landmark in Auckland's skyline, due to its height and design. It was the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere from 1996 to 2022.

The tower is part of the SkyCity Auckland casino complex, originally built in 1994–1997 for Harrah's Entertainment.<ref name="DOING"/> Several upper levels are accessible to the public, attracting an average of 1,150 visitors per day (over 415,000 per year).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Public facilities

File:Sky Tower.jpg
The upper sections of the Sky Tower, illuminated at night

The Sky Tower has several upper levels that are accessible to the public:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

  • Level 50: Sky Bar
  • Level 51: Main Observation Deck
  • Level 52: Orbit 360° Dining
  • Level 53: The Lookout observation deck and ice creamery, SkyWalk and SkyJump
  • Level 60: Sky Deck

The upper portion of the tower contains two restaurants and a cafe; including New Zealand's only revolving restaurant, located Template:Cvt from the ground, which turns 360 degrees every hour.<ref name="ORBIT">Official Orbit 360 Dining page Template:Webarchive Retrieved 28 August 2014</ref> There is also a brasserie-style buffet located one floor above the main observatory level. It has three observation decks at different heights, each providing 360-degree views of the city. The main observation level at Template:Cvt has Template:Cvt thick glass sections of flooring giving a view straight to the ground.<ref name="Demo">Sky Tower demonstration Template:Webarchive (Explore the Sky Tower)</ref> The top observation deck labelled "Skydeck" sits just below the main antenna at Template:Cvt and gives views of up to Template:Cvt in the distance.<ref name="DYK">Sky Tower facts page Template:Webarchive Retrieved 4 June 2009</ref>

The tower also features the "SkyJump", a Template:Convert<ref name="MUST">Auckland: Don't Miss: Action in the outdoors Template:Webarchive (from the Tourism New Zealand website. Retrieved 2 December 2007)</ref> jump from the observation deck, during which a jumper can reach up to Template:Cvt. The jump is guide-cable-controlled to prevent jumpers from colliding with the tower in case of wind gusts.<ref>SkyJump Template:Webarchive (from the official skyjump.co.nz website. Accessed 21 June 2008.)</ref> Climbs into the antenna mast portion (Template:Cvt heights) are also possible for tour groups,<ref name="MUST"/> as is a walk around the exterior.<ref> (from the official skywalk.co.nz website. Accessed 27 May 2009.)</ref>

Construction

File:Auckland Sky Tower closeup.jpg
A view from the base of the tower

Project history

The first iteration of the tower was proposed to be built on Upper Symonds St<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Eden Terrace alongside a shopping centre. The early-1990s plan was rejected due to viewshaft issues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> An earlier version of the tower's design would have seen it clad in stainless steel, however this was not progressed due to costs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The tower was constructed as a part of the Skycity casino precinct. The Skycity Entertainment Group's initial brief for the project were that they required a tower that was both a high-quality tourist attraction, and a marketable telecommunications facility.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland13.8">Template:Cite book</ref> Fletcher Construction was the contracted builder for the project while engineering firm Beca Group provided the design management and coordination, structural, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting and fire engineering services. Harrison Grierson provided surveying services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was designed by Gordon Moller of Craig Craig Moller Architects<ref name="Structurae" /> and has received a New Zealand Institute of Architects National Award as well as regional awards.<ref>Sky Tower Template:Webarchive (from the website of Craig Craig Moller, Sky Tower's architects)</ref><ref name="FLET" /><ref name="UNI">Case Studies: Sky Tower Template:Webarchive (from the University of Auckland, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Retrieved 1 December 2007.)</ref> The project architect was Les Dykstra.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive, Les Dykstra – Director of Architects-ldl.</ref> Taking two years and nine months to construct,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the tower opened on 3 August 1997.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Facts and figures

The tower is constructed of high-performance reinforced concrete.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland13.8"/> Its Template:Convert diameter shaft (containing four lifts and an emergency stairwell) is supported on eight "legs" based on 16 foundation piles drilled over Template:Cvt deep into the local sandstone.<ref name="FLET">Projects: Commercial: Sky Tower Template:Webarchive (from the Fletcher Construction website. Retrieved 2 December 2007.)</ref><ref name="UNI" /> The main shaft was built using climbing formwork.<ref name="UNI" />

The upper levels were constructed from composite materials, structural steel, precast concrete and reinforced concrete,<ref name="UNI" /> and the observation decks clad in aluminium with blue/green reflective glass. A structural steel framework supports the upper mast structure. During construction Template:Convert of concrete, Template:Convert of reinforcing steel, and Template:Convert of structural steel were used. The mast weighs over Template:Convert.<ref name="UNI" /><ref name="SkyC">Construction Facts Template:Webarchive (from the SkyCity Auckland website)</ref> It had to be lifted into place using a crane attached to the structure, as it would have been too heavy for a helicopter to lift. To then remove the crane, another crane had to be constructed attached to the upper part of the Sky Tower structure, which dismantled the big crane, and was in turn dismantled into pieces small enough to fit into the elevator.<ref name="UNI" />

Safety

The tower is designed to withstand wind in excess of Template:Cvt and designed to sway up to Template:Convert in excessively high winds. As a safety precaution the Sky Tower's lifts have special technology installed to detect movement (such as swaying due to high wind) and will automatically slow down. If the building sway exceeds predetermined safety levels the lifts will return to the ground floor and remain there until the high winds and building sway have abated.<ref name="STORM">"Some homes still powerless after storm". The New Zealand Herald, Friday 10 November 2006.</ref>

The Sky Tower is built to withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake located within a Template:Convert radius.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are three fireproof rooms on levels 44, 45, and 46 to provide refuge in the event of an emergency, while the central service lift shaft and stairwells are also fire-safety rated.

Telecommunications

The tower is also used for telecommunications and broadcasting with the Auckland Peering Exchange (APE) being located on Level 48.<ref name="APE">What is the APE? Template:Webarchive Retrieved 5 June 2009</ref> The aerial at the top of the tower hosts the largest FM combiner in the world<ref name="Demo"/> which combines with 58 wireless microwave links located above the top restaurant to provide a number of services. These include television, wireless internet, RT, and weather measurement services.<ref name="Demo"/>

The tower is Auckland's primary FM radio transmitter, and is one of four infill terrestrial television transmitters in Auckland, serving areas not covered by the main transmitter at Waiatarua in the Waitākere Ranges. A total of twenty-three FM radio stations and six digital terrestrial television multiplexes broadcast from the tower.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two VHF analogue television channels broadcasting from the tower were switched off in the early hours of 1 December 2013 as part of New Zealand's digital television transition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Transmission frequencies

H = Horizontal V = Vertical

The following table contains television and radio frequencies currently operating from the Sky Tower:

Television Station Transmit Channel Transmit Frequency Band Power (kW)
TVNZ digital 28 530.0 MHz UHF 0.5
Discovery digital 32 562.0 MHz UHF 0.5
Kordia digital B 34 578.0 MHz UHF 0.5
Kordia digital A 36 594.0 MHz UHF 0.5
MTS digital 38 610.0 MHz UHF 0.5
Radio Station Transmit Channel Transmit Frequency Band Power (kW)
Mai FM 88.6 MHz VHF 16 (8 kW H+8 kW V)
Newstalk ZB 89.4 MHz VHF 50
The Rock 90.2 MHz VHF 50
ZM 91.0 MHz VHF 50
More FM 91.8 MHz VHF 50
RNZ Concert 92.6 MHz VHF 50
The Breeze 93.4 MHz VHF 50
The Sound 93.8 MHz VHF 8 (4 kW H+4 kW V)
The Edge 94.2 MHz VHF 50
bFM 95.0 MHz VHF 12.5
Flava 95.8 MHz VHF 50
George FM 96.6 MHz VHF 8 (4 kW H+4 kW V)
The Hits 97.4 MHz VHF 50
Coast 98.2 MHz VHF 50
Radio Hauraki 99.0 MHz VHF 50
Life FM 99.8 MHz VHF 50
Magic 100.6 MHz VHF 50 (V)
RNZ National 101.4 MHz VHF 16 (8 kW H+8 kW V)
Niu FM 103.8 MHz VHF 16
Planet FM 104.6 MHz VHF 16 (8 kW H+8 kW V)
iHeart Country 105.4 MHz VHF 50 (V)
Channel X 106.2 MHz VHF 16 (8 kW H+8 kW V)

Lighting

File:Auckland skyline (24045221962).jpg
The tower illuminated in Christmas colours. Various other lighting schemes and colours are also used.
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The tower illuminated in gold to mark New Zealand's first gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics
The Sky Tower illuminated green
A photo of the Sky Tower on St. Patrick's Day 2025. (March 17, 9:22 PM)
File:Skytower Coronation 2023.jpg
The tower illuminated in purple on 6 May 2023 to mark the coronation of Charles III and Camilla
A view from the Sky Tower, showing many buildings
A view of Auckland from the Sky Tower.
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Sky Tower

SkyCity Auckland lights the Sky Tower to show support for a range of organisations and charities. SkyCity has a lighting policy and the public is invited to suggest additional occasions in line with this policy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Common lighting events include:<ref name="tower lighting">Template:Cite web</ref>

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The tower is lit up for special occasions. Examples include New Zealand's 2021 vaccination campaign, with the tower illuminated in blue and white when 80% and 90% vaccination rates were achieved.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tower was blue and yellow in early March 2022 in solidarity with Ukraine over the 2022 Russian invasion. After SkyCity initially refused requests from members of the public to lend support, Phil Goff as mayor of Auckland intervened and the Sky Tower was one of three Auckland landmarks that was lit up for three days (the others were the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Auckland War Memorial Museum).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The tower went blue to honour the death of Constable Matthew Hunt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Also in March 2022, the tower was red celebrating the Auckland Arts Festival.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

Energy efficient lighting

The top half of the Sky Tower is lit by energy efficient LED lighting which replaced the original metal halide floodlights in May 2009. The LEDs can produce millions of different colour combinations controlled by a DMX lighting controller. The original lights used 66 per cent more energy than the current LED system. The bottom half remained lit by metal halide lamps, until they too were upgraded to LED lighting in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Energy conservation initiatives

In an effort to promote power saving, SkyCity turned off the tower lighting in Winter 2008, retaining only the flashing red aviation lights. SkyCity is also minimising façade flood lighting across its complex. Simon Jamieson, general manager SkyCity Auckland Hotels Group, said: "Like every New Zealander, we are concerned about the country's electricity supply, and we believe it is our responsibility to make this move to assist with the power saving request."<ref>SKYCITY Auckland switches off the Sky Tower Template:Webarchive (from a SkyCity Entertainment Group press release. 10 June 2008. Accessed 14 September 2008.)</ref> The tower was reilluminated on 4 August in support of New Zealand athletes competing at the Beijing Olympics.<ref>Sky Tower Relights Auckland Skyline Template:Webarchive (from a Sky Entertainment Group press release. 4 August 2008. Accessed 14 September 2008.)</ref>

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Events

The Sky Tower is used in support of special charity events. The Leukemia and Blood Foundation of New Zealand organises annual fundraising stair climb challenges, notably the "Firefighters Sky Tower Stair Challenge" which sees firefighters from around New Zealand race up 1,108 steps (out of 1,267 total steps).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Climbing the Sky Tower stairs has been described as a "vertical marathon".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

References

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