New skyscraper set to be Australia's tallest building Friday, 10 February 2017

The Victorian Government has approved what will be Australia's tallest tower, One Queensbridge, in the Southbank area of Melbourne.

The 90-storey tower will feature 388 hotel rooms, 708 residential apartments and visitor attractions including a $100 million community benefits package, including a rejuvenated Queensbridge Square with landscaping, street furniture, additional trees, better connectivity with Freshwater Place, and an upgrade to the Sandbridge Rail Bridge

At 323 m tall, it will just edge past the current tallest building, the Q1 Tower on the Gold Coast which stands at 322.5 m.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the $2 billion project will create 3000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and, once complete, will sustain another 1000 ongoing operational jobs.

“Four thousand jobs will be created by this project in yet another sign of confidence in Victoria as the state of momentum,” he said.

“This is a bold transformation of Melbourne’s skyline that will build on our state’s reputation as the nation’s leader for tourism.”

The design for the building comes from London-based architects Wilkinson Eyre with local firm Architectus responsible for translating the design into the local context.

Todd Nisbet from Crown Resorts said a key component of the design would be a sculptural pedestrian link from the hotel to the nearby Crown Resort.

"Melbourne is one of the world's most liveable cities," said Nisbet.

"We truly believe One Queensbridge will add to the liveability and vibrancy of city life on Southbank and become a signature landmark in the Melbourne skyline with international appeal."

Crown's joint venture partner in the project is the Schiavello Group and the project remains subject to financing and long form agreements  between Crown and Schiavello.

[An artist's impression of the new tower. Photo: Crown]