Q1 (building)
| Queensland Number One | |
|---|---|
 The world's tallest residential building |
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| General information | |
| Location | Gold Coast, Australia |
| Status | Complete |
| Constructed | 2002-2005 |
| Use | Residential |
| Height | |
| Antenna or spire | 323 m (1,058 ft) |
| Roof | 275 m (902 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 78 |
| Companies involved | |
| Contractor | Sunland |
| 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.
Contents |
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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| Heights are to highest architectural element. | |||||
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. The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling team of the 1920s – Q1.
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.
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.
Gallery
 The top of Q1 viewed from the rear |
 A side view of the tower |
 Q1 observation deck view |
 North view from the QDeck |
 Looking south down the coast |
 Inland toward the west |
 A night-time view north |
See also
- Australian Landmarks
- D1 (building)
- List of skyscrapers
- List of tallest buildings in Australia
- List of tallest freestanding structures in the world
References
- "Q1.com.au". Official Q1 Website. http://www.q1.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2005.
- "Gold Coast Portal". The record-setting view from Q1. http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com/110004.php. Retrieved 10 January 2005.
- Emporis - Q1 Tower
External links
- Q1 Resort & Spa
- Q1 Observation Deck (QDeck)
- Q1 at Emporis
| Preceded by 21st Century Tower (Dubai) |
Tallest all-residential building in the world 2005 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by 120 Collins Street (Melbourne) |
Tallest building in Australia 2005 - present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Torre Agbar (Barcelona) |
Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver) 2005 |
Succeeded by The Wave (Gold Coast) |
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