View source for Eureka Tower

{{Short description|Skyscraper located in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Eureka Tower
| image =[[File:Eureka Tower, August 2010.png|250px]]
| image_size = 240px
| status = Completed
| image_caption = Eureka Tower as viewed from east of [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]], August 2010
| highest_region = [[List of tallest buildings in Melbourne|Melbourne]]
| highest_start = 2006
| highest_end = 2019
| highest_prev = [[120 Collins Street]]
| highest_next = [[Australia 108]]
| location = [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]], [[Melbourne, Australia|Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| coordinates = {{coord|37|49|18|S|144|57|52|E|region:AU-VIC_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| architectural_style = [[Modern architecture|Modern]]
| start_date = {{Start date and age|2002|8}}
| completion_date = {{End date and age|2006|10|11|df=y}}
| cost = U$415m in 2006<ref name="skyscraperpicture1">{{cite web |url=http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/eureka.htm |title=Eureka Tower, Melbourne, Australia: 34th tallest building in the world |publisher=Skyscraperpicture.com |access-date=24 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930110618/http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/eureka.htm |archive-date=30 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| building_type = Residential Apartment Building, Observation Tower
| architectural = {{convert|297.3|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter>{{cite web |url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/building/eureka-tower/544 |title=Eureka Tower - The Skyscraper Center |work=[[Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat]]}}</ref><ref name="Emporis" >{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131515|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906110024/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131515|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 September 2004|title=Eureka Tower, Melbourne|access-date=2007-10-24}}</ref>
| top_floor = {{convert|292.3|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/>
| observatory = {{convert|285|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/>
| floor_count = 91 plus 1 underground<ref name="Emporis" />
| floor_area = {{convert|123000|m2|abbr=on}}<ref name=skyscraperCenter/>
| architect = [[Fender Katsalidis]]
| main_contractor = [[Grocon]]
| developer = Eureka Tower Pty Ltd
| references = <ref name=skyscraperCenter/>
}}
'''Eureka Tower''' is a {{convert|297.3|m|abbr=on}} skyscraper located in the [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]] precinct of [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], Australia.<ref name="Emporis"/> Construction began in August 2002 and the exterior was completed on 1 June 2006. The plaza was finished in June 2006 and the building was officially opened on 11 October 2006.<ref name="open"/> 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]].

Construction began August 2002. The tower was officially opened on 11 October 2006. The building's design is themed around the Eureka Stockade. It contains 556 apartments serviced by 13 lifts. Level 88 features an [[observation deck]] and level 89, a restaurant, cocktail bar and event space.  The building is home to the annual Eureka Climb and a 2013 experiment involving [[airplant]]s.

It was the world's tallest residential tower when measured to its highest floor,<ref name="theage2006"/> until surpassed by [[Ocean Heights (Dubai)|Ocean Heights]] and the [[HHHR Tower]] in [[Dubai]]. From 2006 to 2020, it was the tallest building in Melbourne, until the [[topping out]] of [[Australia 108]]. It is currently the third tallest building in Australia, behind the [[Q1 (building)|Q1]] in [[Queensland]] and Australia 108, as well as the second tallest to roof (excluding spire) behind the latter skyscraper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Q1 Tower, Gold Coast City|url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/101921/q1-tower-gold-coast-city-australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322033734/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/101921/q1-tower-gold-coast-city-australia|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 March 2015|website=Emporis|access-date=22 September 2016|quote=Height(roof) 245.00 m}}</ref> As of 2016 it was the [[List of tallest residential buildings in the world|15th tallest residential building in the world]].

==Design and features==
[[File:Eureka Tower GF Plaza 2017.jpg|thumb|Open space outside the tower]]
[[File:Eureka Tower Residence Entrance 2017.jpg|thumb|Eureka Tower Residence Entrance]]
Eureka Tower is named after the [[Eureka Stockade]], 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.<ref name="tower facts">[http://www.eurekaskydeck.com.au/about-us/ Eureka Tower Facts]</ref> 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 [[Level staff|surveyor's measuring staff]].<ref>[http://eurekaskydeck.com.au/uploads/documents/English%20Skydeck%20Visitors%20Guide_Web.pdf Eureka Skydeck 88: English Visitor Guide] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301100048/http://eurekaskydeck.com.au/uploads/documents/English%20Skydeck%20Visitors%20Guide_Web.pdf |date=1 March 2015 }}</ref>

At the base of the tower is an [[art installation]] containing nine 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 colour of the bees complements the gold at the top of the tower. The installation was created by Richard Stringer and Nonda Katsalidis, and was initially completed in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Queen Bee @ Eureka Tower|url=http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/queen-bee-eureka-tower|website=www.onlymelbourne.com.au|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> Other bees have since been added to the building, most recently in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=marty |title=Queen Bee - Eureka Tower |url=https://richardstringer.com.au/queen-bee-eureka-tower/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Richard Stringer |language=en-AU}}</ref>

When measured either by the height of its roof, or by the height of its highest habitable floor, Eureka Tower was the tallest residential building in the world when completed. It was also the building with the most floors available for residential occupancy in the world. The building stands {{convert|297|m|abbr=on}} in height, with 91 storeys above ground plus one basement level. At the time of its completion, it was one of the only buildings in the world with 90 or more storeys. It is also the [[List of tallest buildings in Australia|third-tallest building in Australia]] and the [[List of tallest buildings in Melbourne|second tallest building in Melbourne]], behind [[Australia 108]] which [[topping out|topped out]] in November 2019.<ref name="Aus108CTBUH">[http://skyscrapercenter.com/building/australia-108/14817 Australia 108 - The Skyscraper Center]. ''[[Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat]]''. Retrieved 19 November 2019.</ref> The single level basement and first 9 floors contain [[car park]]ing. The building's proximity to the [[water table]] as well as the [[Yarra River]] made the construction of a basement car park uneconomical. In all, there are 84 floors of apartments (including some floors shared between car parking and apartments), with the remainder being used for building facilities and the [[observation deck]].{{citation needed|date = December 2013}}

According to the ranking system developed by the U.S.-based [[Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat]], the Eureka Tower qualified as the tallest building in three of the four categories in which heights are ranked, namely height to the floor of the highest occupied floor of the building. For comparison, the [[Q1 (building)|Q1]] apartment tower on the Gold Coast has its highest habitable floor (the observation deck), reaching a height of {{convert|235|m|abbr=on}}, some {{convert|62|m|abbr=on}} lower than Eureka Tower's highest habitable floor. Q1's highest [[penthouse apartment]] is {{convert|217|m|abbr=on}} whilst Eureka's penthouse is {{convert|278|m|abbr=on}} high. However, the spire attached to the top of Q1 exceeds the Eureka Tower in the other two categories, namely "Height to the tip of spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole" –  in this case, spire – and height to architectural top of the building.{{citation needed|date = December 2013}}

===Specifications===
* 556 apartments<ref name="theage2006">{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/eureka-tower-officially-opens/2006/10/11/1160246178273.html |work=[[The Age]] |location=Melbourne | title=Eureka tower officially opens | date=11 October 2006}}</ref>
* 13 lifts travelling up to {{convert|9|m/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="skyscraperpicture1"/>
* {{convert|52000|m2|abbr=on}} of windows
* 3,680 stairs
* {{convert|110000|t|abbr=on}} of concrete
* {{convert|5000|t|abbr=on}} of reinforced steel
* Building weighs {{convert|200000|t|abbr=on}}

Floors 82 to 87, marketed as ''Summit Levels'', contain only one apartment per floor, each with an original price of [[Australian dollar|A$]]7&nbsp;million for the unfurnished floor space alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/international/eureka-tower-penthouse-hoped-to-fetch-sky-high-price/2011083051361|title=Eureka Tower penthouse hoped to fetch sky-high price|first=Jonathan|last=Chancellor|website=www.propertyobserver.com.au |date=30 August 2011 }}</ref>

The highest floors of the tower house an observation deck (level 88), restaurant<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eureka89.com.au/ |title=Eureka 89 |publisher=Eureka 89 |access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref> (level 89), communication rooms and balcony (90) and water tanks (90 and 91). A system of pumps constantly moves water between the two 300,000-litre tanks to counteract wind-induced oscillations.<ref name="tower facts" />

== Observation deck (Melbourne Skydeck) ==
The observation deck, currently branded as ''Melbourne Skydeck'' and previously known as ''Eureka Skydeck'' and ''Skydeck 88'', occupies the entire 88th floor of the Eureka Tower and is the highest public vantage point in a building in the Southern Hemisphere at {{convert|285|m|abbr=on}}. It opened to the public on 15 May 2007. An entry fee applies to access the Skydeck.

The Skydeck features twenty viewfinders that help visitors to pinpoint numerous significant landmarks around all parts of Melbourne, along with several free binoculars. There is a small outside area called ''The Terrace'' which is closed in high winds. There is also a glass cube called ''The Edge'', which extends itself 3 metres from the building to hang over the edge of the tower and add to the viewing experience.

On 10 January 2005, [[Grocon]], the firm building Eureka Tower, proposed adding a {{convert|53.8|m|abbr=on}} communications mast/observation tower. The proposal is currently{{when|date=December 2023}} before the local planning commission. This mast would be a significant structure, used for providing an adventure climb to the tip of the summit.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

On 16 April 2006, a new proposal was announced that the construction company and developers were considering options for the building to have a "skywalk" that would take daring people up {{convert|350|m|abbr=on}} high. The proposed structure may also include a communications tower.{{cn|date=December 2023}}
 
===''The Edge''===
The Skydeck features ''The Edge'' – a glass cube which projects {{Convert|3|m||abbr=on}} out from the building with visitors inside, suspended almost {{Convert|300|m|abbr=on}} above the ground. When one enters, the glass is opaque as the cube moves out over the edge of the building. Once fully extended over the edge, the glass becomes clear.<ref>{{cite news|title=Experience the terrifying Edge at Eureka Tower|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/experience-the-terrifying-edge-at-eureka-tower/story-e6frfkp9-1111113430280|work=[[Herald Sun]]|publisher=news.com.au|date=29 April 2007}}</ref>

{{Wide image|Golden sun-ray of Eureka Tower as seen from Shrine of Remembrance.jpg|700px|The best time to see the golden sun-ray of Eureka Tower is from late November to early February early in the morning.}}

== Eureka 89 Dining & Events ==
Located on the top floor (level 89) of the Eureka Tower, Eureka 89 Dining & Events is a restaurant, cocktail bar and event space offering a modern Australian menu by award winning chef Renee Martillano. Eureka 89's location on the tower's top floor makes it the Southern Hemisphere's highest restaurant & bar at a staggering 292.3 m (959 ft) high.

== Construction ==

Construction began August 2002<ref name="skyscraperpicture1"/> and took 4 years and 2 months.<ref name="theage2006"/>

The tower was built using [[reinforced concrete]] using a [[slipform]] method. Eureka Tower's lift core superseded the height of [[Rialto Towers]] on 9 November 2004.

On 23 May 2006, the crane on top of the tower was dismantled by a smaller crane, which was dismantled by a smaller crane that could be taken down the service elevator.

Eureka Tower has 24 [[Carat (purity)|carat]] (99.9%) gold plated glass windows on the top 10 floors of the building.  Installation of the gold glass was completed in March 2006.  Apartment owners and tenants had taken up residence in the building between Ground Level and Level 80 as of July 2006.

On 11 October 2006, the tower was officially opened by then [[Premier of Victoria]], [[Steve Bracks]].<ref name="open">{{cite news|title=Tallest tower opens in Melbourne|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116033719/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20562552-29277,00.html|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/story/0,20867,20562552-29277,00.html|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|archive-date=16 January 2009|date=11 October 2006|agency=[[Australian Associated Press]]|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>

=== Construction methods ===
A 2-floor Grocon-Lubeca [[jumpform]] system was used to halve work time, concrete and joints required in the core, as well as increasing [[structural integrity]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Eureka Tower, Melbourne, Victoria|url=http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/eureka/|website=Design Build Network|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itp.net/493294 |title=Will Grocon become the king of speed builders? |publisher=ITP.net |date=17 June 2006 |access-date=24 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929015041/http://www.itp.net/493294 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Grocon purchased the Singapore company Lubeca in 2000, and then did more R&D to design the 2-floor jumpform system.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Zoe Naylor|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/rose-tower-achieves-quickest-cycles-204741.html |title=Rose Tower achieves quickest cycles - Media |magazine=[[Arabian Business]] |date=17 June 2006 |access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref>

==Eureka Climb==
Since 2012, the Eureka Climb event has been held annually. Participants climb 1642 steps (all 88 floors) to the observation deck. The current record is 7 minutes and 34 seconds for men, set by Mark Bourne in 2013; and 9 minutes and 33 seconds for women, set by Alice McNamara in 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine | title = Eureka Stair Climb | magazine = [[Time Out Melbourne]] | date = October 25, 2018 | access-date = May 7, 2025 | url = https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/sport-and-fitness/eureka-stair-climb | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250507163422/https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/sport-and-fitness/eureka-stair-climb | archive-date = May 7, 2025 }}</ref>

===Air plant experiment===
From June 2013, a team of researchers placed ''[[Tillandsia]]'' airplants on four locations on the tower.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.lloydgodman.net/suspend/Eureka1.html |title = Grant Harris environmental scientist attaches the plant cage to a drain grate at level 56 Eureka Tower, another cage sits in the foreground}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dow |first1=Aisha |title=Extreme gardening on the 92nd floor of the Eureka Tower |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/extreme-gardening-on-the-92nd-floor-of-the-eureka-tower-20150320-1m45sm.html |work=The Age |date=23 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> Two different species were placed at four levels: 56, 65, 91, and on top at level 92. These plants grow with no soil or watering / nutrient system and on Eureka Tower were exposed to the elements where they proved to grow through winter, saw winds over {{convert|200|km/h|abbr=on}} and a hot dry summer. Not all plants survived. Those on eastern aspects died because of lack of rain. However, plants in the most exposed sites, facing west and on the open roof sites have survived and flourished. The plants have been regularly checked over a number of years (last check December 2021) and have grown into resilient colonies. As far as can be ascertained this is the highest building with plants on and the experiment paved the way for utilising ''[[Tillandsia]]'' on high-rise buildings.

==Gallery==
{{Commons category}}
<gallery>
File:View-over-Melbourne-CDB-reflected-in-Eureka-Tower-window,-12.8.2008.jpg|Looking north-east over Melbourne CBD from the observation deck, with reflections in the tower's gold plated windows
File:Eureka Skydeck balcony close-up from ground.jpg|''The Terrace'' as seen from ground, ''The Edge'' observation cube seen at left
File:Eureka on Yarra 1.jpg|Eureka Tower from across the river
File:Eureka Skydeck 88 2017.jpg|Observation deck interior
File:Southbank From Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, Victoria Australia (5129025737).jpg|Eureka Tower seen from a bridge over the Yarra River
</gallery>

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Architecture}}}}
* [[List of tallest buildings in Melbourne]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Australia]]
* [[Australia 108]]

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.eurekaskydeck.com.au/ Eureka Tower Observation Deck Website]
* [http://skyscrapercenter.com/building/eureka-tower/544 Eureka Tower] on [[CTBUH]] Skyscraper Center
* [http://www.apartmentreviews.com.au/buildings/00096.htm Eureka Tower apartments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304160516/http://www.apartmentreviews.com.au/buildings/00096.htm |date=4 March 2010 }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040906110024/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131515 Emporis Page]}}
* [http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/eureka/ Eureka Tower, Melbourne, Victoria - Design Build Network]
* {{Structurae|id=20003988|title=Eureka Tower}}

{{Tallest buildings in Australia|taller=[[Australia 108]]|theight={{convert|316.7|m|abbr=on}}|shorter=[[Crown Sydney]]|sheight={{convert|271.3|m|abbr=on}}}}

{{Melbourne tall buildings|taller=[[Australia 108]]|theight={{convert|316.7|m|abbr=on}}|shorter=[[Aurora Melbourne Central]]|sheight={{convert|270.5|m|abbr=on}}}}

{{Melbourne Skyscrapers}}
{{Melbourne landmarks}}

[[Category:Skyscrapers in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Residential skyscrapers in Australia]]
[[Category:Residential buildings completed in 2006]]
[[Category:Apartment buildings in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Neomodern architecture in Australia]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]
[[Category:Southbank, Victoria]]