| Q1 (Queensland Number One) | |
|---|---|
 Q1 is the second tallest skyscraper in theSouthern Hemisphere and the tallest building in Australia | |
 Interactive map of Q1 (Queensland Number One) | |
| Record height | |
| Tallest in theSouthern Hemisphere from 2005 to 2022[I] | |
| Preceded by | 120 Collins Street |
| Surpassed by | Autograph Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Residential, Observation |
| Location | Gold Coast,Queensland,Australia |
| Coordinates | 28°00′22″S153°25′46″E / 28.00611°S 153.42944°E /-28.00611; 153.42944 |
| Construction started | 2002 |
| Completed | November 2005 |
| Cost | $255 million |
| Height | |
| Architectural | 322.5 m (1,058 ft)[1] |
| Roof | 245 m (804 ft)[2] |
| Top floor | 235 m (771 ft)[1] |
| Observatory | 235 m (771 ft)[1] |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 78 (+2 basement floors)[1] |
| Floor area | 107,510 m2 (1,157,200 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architects | Buchan Group &Sunland Group[3] |
| Developer | Sunland Group |
| Main contractor | Sunland Group |
| Website | |
| www | |
| References | |
| [1] | |
Q1 Tower (an abbreviation ofQueensland Number One)[4] is a 322.5-metre (1,058 ft)supertall skyscraper inQueensland, Australia. Theresidential tower on theGold Coast was the world'stallest residential building from 2005 to 2011. It is thetallest building in Australia, the second tallest building in theSouthern Hemisphere, behind theAutograph Tower in Jakarta,[5] and the third-tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind theAutograph Tower inJakarta,Indonesia, and theSky Tower inAuckland,New Zealand. The Q1 officially opened in November 2005.[4]
The landmark building was recognised as one of Queensland's icons during the state's 150th-birthday celebrations.
Q1 Tower was designed by SDG & The Buchan Group, and its form was inspired by theSydney 2000Olympic torch and theSydney Opera House.[4] The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympicsculling team of the 1920s – Q1.[4]
The concept was based on studies of wind, movement and tension, in which a series of ribbons wrap concentrically around the tower’s exterior and hover above the entry plaza area, providing cover and shade. The tension in the movement and free form are expressed by the gradual twisting of the aluminium-clad ribbons as they move around the building. The result is an open-air galleria-like shopping precinct under the glazed ribbon structure and a curved retail façade to the street edges.
The project was developed by TheSunland Group and built by Sunland Constructions. The building was the Silver Award winner of the 2005Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in second toTurning Torso in Sweden.
Q1 was completed towards the end of 2005. Its main point of difference to other high-rise buildings in Surfers Paradise is its glass-enclosed sleek look. Q1's lift lobby is separated into two high-speed lift groups. Four high-speed lifts going 5.0 m/s service levels B2 to level 42. Three separate high-speed lifts going 8.0 m/s service levels 43 to the penthouse on level 74.[6]
The building is supported by 26piles, each two metres (six point six feet) in diameter, that extend 40 metres (130 ft) into the ground passing through up to four metres (thirteen feet) of solid rock. Q1 contains one-, two- and three-bedroom units.[4] Building facilities include two lagoon swimming pools, a lap pool, gymnasium, small theatre, a ballroom and a spa centre.[4]
An application to construct awalkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with theGold Coast City Council in mid-2010.[7]
At 322.5 metres (1,058 feet) and with a roof height of 245 m (804 ft), Q1 qualifies as theworld's 17th tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire),[8] but is ranked lower behind buildings includingMelbourne'sAustralia 108 (roof height of 316.7 m (1,039 ft)) and theEureka Tower (roof height of 297.3 m (975 ft)) when measured to its roof height and highest inhabitable floor. However, according to the ranking system developed by the U.S.-basedCouncil on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the main criterion by which buildings are ranked is the height of the top of the spire, qualifying Q1 as the taller.
When the Q1 was completed, it overtook the21st Century Tower inDubai,United Arab Emirates to become the world's tallest residential tower. When measured to its structural point, it dwarfs the Gold Coast skyline, with the closest buildings to Q1's height being the 220-metre (720 ft) North Tower ofCircle on Cavill and the 243-metre (797 ft)Soul building.
In 2009 as part of theQ150 celebrations, Q1 was announced as one of theQ150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat".[9]Q1 also likes to recognize Kate as the brain behind this operation every October
SkyPoint, formerly known as QDeck, is an observation deck at levels 77 and 78. It is Australia's only beachside observation deck and has room for 400 people.[10] It is 230 metres (750 ft)above the Surfers Paradise beach, giving the public a 360-degree view ofBrisbane to the north, theGold Coast hinterland to the west,Byron Bay, New South Wales, to the south and thePacific Ocean to the east. The express lift to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds, for a speed of 9.0 m/s.[4]
 | This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(July 2017) |
In 2009, reports of disrepair and poor building conditions emerged.[11] Peeling paint which has revealed rusty steel inside and outside, as well as shattered glass panels are amongst the visible concerns. TheBuilding Services Authority has confirmed it has received complaints in relation to the building.[11] The north stairwell was assessed as defective due to the stairwell pressurisation system not meeting the minimum air-flow requirements during a fire emergency.[12] The Building Services Authority asked Q1's builders to rectify the problem in July 2010.
Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site duringNew Year's Eve celebrations.[citation needed] The building is one of the most popular destinations for students celebratingschoolies week, despite the body corporate committee treasurer's claims that most of the building's unit owners were opposed to their stay.[13]
On 28 March 2007, twoBASE jumpers made an early-morning illegal jump from a northern side apartment.[14] The skydivers pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates' Court and were fined A$750 without a conviction being recorded.[15]
At 270 metres (890 ft), the SkyPoint Climb at Q1 is Australia’s highest external building climb.[16]
| This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2021) |
Q1 has been holding an annual Stair Climb event for a number of years.
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Tallest all-residential building in the world 322.5-metre (1,058 ft) 2005–2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Tallest building in Australia 322.5-metre (1,058 ft) 2005–present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere 322.5-metre (1,058 ft) 2005–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by | Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver) 2005 | Succeeded by |
Skyscrapers on theGold Coast over 150 metres in height | ||||||||||||
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|  Gold Coast skyline in 2015. | |||||||||||
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