Q1 (building)

Tallest building in Australia

Q1 (Queensland Number One)

Q1 is the second tallest skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere and the tallest building in Australia

Record height
Tallest in the Southern 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″S 153°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
Architect(s)| Buchan Group & Sunland Group[3]
Developer| Sunland Group
Main contractor| Sunland Group
Website
www.q1.com.au
References
[1]

Q1 Tower (an abbreviation of Queensland Number One)[4] is a 322.5-metre (1,058 ft) supertall skyscraper in Queensland, Australia. The residential tower on the Gold Coast was the world's tallest residential building from 2005 to 2011. It is the tallest building in Australia, the second tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, [5] and the third-tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the Sky Tower in Auckland, 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.

## Design and construction

[edit]

The building under construction in 2005

Q1 Tower was designed by SDG & The Buchan Group, and its form was inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House.[4] The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling 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 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.

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 26 piles, 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 a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid-2010.[7]

* The spire of Q1

* The upper levels of Q1

* The western end of the tower as viewed from street level

* The eastern end of the tower as viewed from street level

## Height

[edit]

At 322.5 metres (1,058 feet) and with a roof height of 245 m (804 ft), Q1 qualifies as the world's 17th tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire),[8] but is ranked lower behind buildings including Melbourne's Australia 108 (roof height of 316.7 m (1,039 ft)) and the Eureka 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.-based Council 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 the 21st Century Tower in Dubai, 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 of Circle on Cavill and the 243-metre (797 ft) Soul building.

## Awards

[edit]

In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Q1 was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat".[9]

## Observation deck

[edit]

Main article: SkyPoint Observation Deck

Q1 observation deck view

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 of Brisbane to the north, the Gold Coast hinterland to the west, Byron Bay, New South Wales, to the south and the Pacific 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]

## Building condition

[edit]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2017)

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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. The Building 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.

## Events

[edit]

Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site during New Year's Eve celebrations.[citation needed] The building is one of the most popular destinations for students celebrating schoolies 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, two BASE 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 be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (September 2021)

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Q1 has been holding an annual Stair Climb event for a number of years.

## Gallery

[edit]

* North view from the QDeck

* Looking south down the coast

* A night-time view north

* Inland toward the west

* Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

* Q1 as viewed from Surfers Paradise Beach

* Q1 viewed from The Esplanade

## See also

[edit]

* Queensland portal
* Architecture portal

* D1
* 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

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e "Q1 - The Skyscraper Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
2. ^ GmbH, Emporis. "Q1 Tower, Gold Coast City - 101921 - EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
3. ^ Gold Coast’s Highest Tower, Buchan Group, accessed May 4, 2023.
4. ^ a b c d e f g Kevin Pilley (13 November 2008). "Q1". The Sydney Morning Herald: Travel. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
5. ^ "Tower Tops Out in Jakarta Mixed-Use Complex". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
6. ^ "Q1 Surfers Paradise - Holiday Insider". holidayholiday.com.au. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ "100 Tallest Residential Buildings in the World". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
9. ^ Bligh, Anna (10 June 2009). "PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
10. ^ "Skypoint Facts & History". SkyPoint. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
11. ^ a b Phil Bartsch (8 October 2009). "Q1 residential tower rusting, leaking and upsetting tenants". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
12. ^ Phil Bartsch (9 October 2009). "Q1 highrise stairwell 'defective'". The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers. Archived from the original on 30 January 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
13. ^ "Q1 hoping to expel Schoolies". The Sunday Mail. Queensland Newspapers. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
14. ^ "$750 fine for Q1 BASE jumpers". Brisbane Times. 1 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
15. ^ "Daredevil pair fined for jumping off Gold Coast skyscraper". ABC New South Wales. Australian Broadcastion Corporation. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
16. ^ "SkyPoint Climb - Gold Coast Highest Attraction | SkyPoint". www.skypoint.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Queensland Number One.

* Q1 Resort & Spa
* Q1 Observation Deck (SkyPoint)
* Q1 on CTBUH Skyscraper Center (archived 5 November 2013)
* Q1[usurped] at Emporis (archived 10 September 2004)

Records

Preceded by

21st Century Tower
(Dubai)

|  Tallest all-residential building in the world
322.5-metre (1,058 ft)
2005–2011  | Succeeded by

The Marina Torch
(Dubai)

Preceded by

120 Collins Street
(Melbourne)

|  Tallest building in Australia
322.5-metre (1,058 ft)
2005–present  |  Succeeded by

Incumbent

Preceded by

120 Collins Street

|  Tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere
322.5-metre (1,058 ft)
2005–2022  | Succeeded by

Autograph Tower

Awards
Preceded by

Torre Agbar
(Barcelona)

|  Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver)
2005  | Succeeded by

The Wave
(Gold Coast)

* v
* t
* e

Skyscrapers on the Gold Coast over 150 metres in height

Completed

| Over 250 m|

* Q1 Tower (323 m, 2005)

|

200–249 m|

* Soul Surfers Paradise (243 m, 2011)
* Circle on Cavill North Tower (220 m, 2007)

150–199 m|

* Hilton Surfers Hotel & Residences Orchid Tower (194 m, 2011)
* Jewel (170 m, 2020)
* The Oracle Beach Tower (165 m, 2010)
* Skyline North Tower (158 m, 2004)
* Circle on Cavill South Tower (158 m, 2006)

Gold Coast skyline in 2015.

Under construction

* Spirit (297 m, 2019)
* Sundale Apartments (180 m, 2016)
* Jewel Tower 1 (170 m, 2018)

Approved

* Full list of approved projects

Proposed

* Full list of proposed projects

* Buildings listed in order of height and with year of completion
* Building data source: Skyscraper Center

* See also: List of tallest buildings on the Gold Coast, Queensland
* Category:Buildings and structures on the Gold Coast, Queensland
* Category:Skyscrapers on the Gold Coast, Queensland

* v
* t
* e

Supertall skyscrapers (300 m/984 ft and taller)

Completed

Africa

| Egypt|

* Iconic Tower

|

Americas

| Chile|

* Gran Torre Santiago

|

Mexico|

* Torres Obispado

United States|

* 1 Manhattan West
* 1 World Trade Center (1971–2001) †
* 111 West 57th Street
* 2 World Trade Center (1971–2001) †
* 3 World Trade Center
* 30 Hudson Yards
* 35 Hudson Yards
* 432 Park Avenue
* 50 Hudson Yards
* 53W53
* 875 North Michigan Avenue
* Aon Center
* Bank of America Plaza
* Bank of America Tower
* Central Park Tower
* Chrysler Building
* Comcast Technology Center
* Empire State Building
* Franklin Center
* JPMorgan Chase Tower
* One57
* One Vanderbilt
* One World Trade Center
* Salesforce Tower
* St. Regis Chicago
* The Brooklyn Tower
* The New York Times Building
* The Spiral
* Trump International Hotel and Tower
* Two Prudential Plaza
* U.S. Bank Tower
* Wells Fargo Plaza
* Willis Tower
* Wilshire Grand Center

Asia

| China|

* Baoneng Center
* Changsha A9 Financial District
* Changsha IFS Tower T1
* China Resources Headquarters
* China World Trade Center Tower III
* China Zun
* Chongqing IFS T1
* Chongqing World Financial Center
* CITIC Plaza
* Citymark Centre
* Dalian International Trade Center
* Diwang International Fortune Center
* Dongguan International Trade Center 1
* East Pacific Center
* Eton Place Dalian
* Fortune Center
* Gate to the East
* Greenland Hangzhou Center
* Golden Eagle Tiandi Tower A
* Golden Eagle Tiandi Tower B
* Greenland Puli Center
* Guangxi China Resources Tower
* Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre
* Guangzhou International Finance Center
* Guiyang International Financial Center Tower 1
* Hanking Center
* Heartland 66 Office Tower
* Hengqin International Finance Center
* Hon Kwok City Center
* Huachuang International Plaza
* Huaguoyuan Tower 1
* Huaguoyuan Tower 2
* Huijin Center Guangzhou
* Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza
* Jin Mao Tower
* Jin Wan Plaza 9
* Jinan Center Financial City
* KK100
* Leatop Plaza
* Logan Century Center 1
* Longxi International Hotel
* Minsheng Bank Building
* Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre Tower 1
* One Shenzhen Bay
* Pearl River Tower
* Ping An International Finance Centre
* The Pinnacle
* Poly Pazhou
* Riverview Plaza
* Shanghai Tower
* Shanghai World Financial Center
* Shenglong Global Center
* Shenzhen Center
* Shenzhen CFC Changfu Centre
* Shimao Hunan Center
* Shimao International Plaza
* Shum Yip Upperhills Tower 1
* Shun Hing Square
* Spring City 66
* Suning Plaza 1, Wuxi
* Suning Plaza Tower 1, Zhenjiang
* Suzhou IFS
* Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
* Tianjin Modern City Office Tower
* Tianjin World Financial Center
* Wanda Plaza
* Wenzhou World Trade Center
* White Magnolia Plaza
* Wuhan Center
* Wuhan Greenland Center
* Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping Center
* Wuxi IFS
* Wuxi Maoye City – Marriott Hotel
* Xi'an Glory International Financial Center
* Xiangjiang Fortune Finance Center
* Yantai Shimao No.1 The Harbour
* Yuexiu Fortune Center Tower 1
* Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center
* Zhuhai Tower
* Zhujiang New City Tower
* Zifeng Tower

|

Hong Kong|

* Bank of China Tower
* Central Plaza
* International Commerce Centre
* International Finance Centre
* Nina Tower
* The Center

Japan|

* Abeno Harukas
* Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower

Kazakhstan|

* Abu Dhabi Plaza

Kuwait|

* Al Hamra Tower
* Arraya Tower

Malaysia|

* The Exchange 106
* Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
* Merdeka 118
* Petronas Towers
* Telekom Tower

Philippines|

* Metrobank Center

Qatar|

* Aspire Tower
* Lusail Plaza Towers 3 and 4

Saudi Arabia|

* The Clock Towers
* Kingdom Centre
* PIF Tower

South Korea|

* Haeundae Doosan We've the Zenith
* Haeundae LCT The Sharp
* Lotte World Tower
* Parc1
* Posco Tower-Songdo

Taiwan|

* 85 Sky Tower
* Taipei 101

Thailand|

* Baiyoke Tower II
* ICONSIAM
* MahaNakhon

Turkey|

* CBRT Tower

United Arab
Emirates|

* 23 Marina
* Address Boulevard
* Address Downtown
* ADNOC Headquarters
* Almas Tower
* Amna Tower
* Burj Al Arab
* Burj Khalifa
* Cayan Tower
* DAMAC Residenze
* Elite Residence
* Emirates Office Tower
* Etihad Towers
* Gevora Hotel
* HHHR Tower
* Il Primo Dubai
* The Index
* Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
* JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
* The Landmark
* Marina 101
* The Marina Torch
* Ocean Heights
* Princess Tower
* Rose Tower
* World Trade Center Abu Dhabi

Vietnam|

* Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower
* Landmark 81

Europe

| Poland|

* Varso Tower

|

Russia|

* City of Capitals
* Eurasia
* Federation Tower
* Lakhta Center
* Mercury City Tower
* Neva Towers 2
* OKO Tower

United Kingdom|

* The Shard

Oceania

| Australia|

* Australia 108
* Q1 Tower

|

* † No longer standing.

Under construction

| Africa|

| Ethiopia|

* Ethiopian Electric Power Headquarters

|

Côte d'Ivoire|

* Tour F

Asia|

| China|

* Chongqing Corporate Avenue 1
* Evergrande Center
* Eye of Spring Trade Center
* Greenland Group Suzhou Center
* Haikou Tower
* Nanjing World Trade Center Tower 1
* Ningbo Center
* North Bund Centre
* Shandong IFC
* South Asian Gate
* Suzhou Zhongnan Center
* Tianshan Gate of the World Plots 27 and 28
* Wuhan CTF Finance Center
* Xi'an Greenland Center
* Xiamen International Centre
* Xiangmi Lake New Financial Center

|

Other|

* Burj Azizi
* Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences
* Highwealth Huiguo 90
* Jeddah Tower
* Legacy Tower
* One Bangkok
* Taipei Twin Towers
* Thamrin Nine
* Torch Tower

North America|

* 270 Park Avenue
* 520 Fifth Avenue
* Concord Sky
* SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge
* One Bloor West
* Waldorf Astoria Miami

South America|

* Senna Tower

On hold

* 2 World Trade Center
* 45 Broad Street
* Baoneng Shenyang Global Financial Center
* Busan Lotte Town Tower
* Chengdu Greenland Tower
* Chongqing Tall Tower
* Dalian Greenland Center
* Diamond Tower (Jeddah)
* Dubai Pearl
* Dubai Towers Doha
* Forum 66
* Gate of Kuwait
* Goldin Finance 117
* Hyundai Global Business Center
* Lamar Towers
* Mandarin Oriental Chengdu
* Marina 106
* Namaste Tower
* Nanjing Olympic Suning Tower
* One Tower
* Palais Royale, Mumbai
* Pentominium
* Runhua Global Center 1
* Ryugyong Hotel
* Sino-Steel Tower
* Skycity
* Square Capital Tower
* The Stratford Residences
* Tameer Commercial Tower
* Tianjin R&F Guangdong Tower
* Tour Financial Hub Center
* Tower Infinity
* VietinBank Business Center Office Tower

See also
Proposed supertall skyscrapers
List of architects of supertall buildings

* v
* t
* e

Landmarks and culture on the Gold Coast

City precincts|

* Central Business District
* Chinatown
* Health & Knowledge Precinct
* Nightlife Precinct
* Sports Precinct

Cultural institutions|

* The Art Gallery
* Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
* David Fleay Wildlife Park
* Home of the Arts (HOTA)
* Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
* Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum

Entertainment|

* Big Brother
* Dreamworld
* Funtime
* Infinity Attraction
* Magic Millions
* Paradise Country
* Schoolies week
* Sea World
* SkyPoint Observation Deck
* Surfers Paradise Meter Maids
* Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
* The Star Gold Coast
* Tropical Fruit World
* Warner Bros. Movie World
* Wet'n'Wild Water World
* WhiteWater World

Islands and beaches|

* Bilinga Beach
* Broadbeach
* Burleigh Beach
* Coolangatta Beach
* Currumbin Beach
* Greenmount Beach
* Kirra Beach
* Main Beach
* Mermaid Beach
* Miami Beach
* Palm Beach
* South Stradbroke Island
* Surfers Paradise Beach
* Tugun Beach

Nature|

* Gold Coast hinterland
* Lamington National Park
* Mount Nimmel
* Natural Bridge
* Nerang National Park
* Nerang River
* Numinbah Valley
* Purling Brook Falls
* Springbrook Mountain
* Springbrook National Park
* Tamborine Mountain
* Tamborine National Park

Parks and spaces|

* Pizzey Park
* Regional Botanic Gardens
* Sir Bruce Small Park
* Southport Broadwater Parklands

Prominent figures|

* James Cavill
* James Cook
* Bernie Elsey
* Russ Hinze
* Eddie Kornhauser
* Johan Meyer
* Anthony Musgrave
* John Oxley
* Sir Bruce Small

Shopping|

* Australia Fair Shopping Centre
* Chevron Renaissance
* Harbour Town
* Oasis Shopping Centre
* Pacific Fair
* Paradise Centre
* Robina Town Centre
* The Pines
* The Strand at Coolangatta
* The 4217
* Westfield Coomera
* Westfield Helensvale

Sports venues|

* Aquatic Centre
* Carrara Stadium (Metricon Stadium)
* Carrara Indoor Stadium
* Gold Coast Arena (planned)
* Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
* Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre
* Gold Coast Turf Club
* Robina Stadium (Cbus Super Stadium)
* Surfers Paradise Street Circuit

Structures and buildings|

* Chevron Renaissance
* Circle on Cavill
* Gold Coast Town Hall
* Q1 Tower
* Soul
* Southport Pier

Transport|

* Dreamworld Express
* G:link
* Gold Coast Airport
* Gold Coast railway line
* Sea World Monorail System
* SkyBus
* Surfers Paradise Transit Centre
* Surfside Buslines

Related articles|

* History of the Gold Coast, Queensland
* Timeline of Gold Coast, Queensland
* Transport on the Gold Coast, Queensland
* List of mayors of Gold Coast
* List of tallest buildings on the Gold Coast
* List of films shot on the Gold Coast

* v
* t
* e

Coast Entertainment

* Dreamworld
* SkyPoint Observation Deck
* WhiteWater World

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* Structurae

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