Q1 (building)

Q1 (Queensland Number One)
The tallest skyscraper in the southern hemisphere and the world's fifth tallest residential building
General information
Type	Residential
Location	Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates
Construction started	2002
Completed	2005
Cost	$255 million
Height
Architectural	322.5 m (1,058 ft)
Roof	245 m (804 ft)
Top floor	235 m (771 ft)
Observatory	235 m (771 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	78 (+2 basement floors)
Design and construction
Architect	Sunland Group
Developer	Sunland
Main contractor	Sunland
References

Q1 (an abbreviation of Queensland Number One) is a skyscraper in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast, Queensland. It lost its title as the world's tallest residential tower to the 337-metre building The Marina Torch in Dubai on 29 April 2011. As of May 2012, it is the sixth-tallest such building. Q1 is the tallest building in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere when measured to the top of its spire (fifth tallest building behind the Eureka Tower, the Prima Pearl, the Rialto Towers and the Infinity Tower, when measured to roof and highest habitable floor), the tallest building outside Asia, Europe and North America and the second-tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. The Q1 officially opened in November 2005.

The landmark building was recognised as one of Queensland's icons during the state's 150th birthday celebrations. Q1 has been identified as a potential terrorism target for the region. For a short time, an apartment in the building, which was bought for A$9 million by a Japanese restaurateur, was the most expensive ever paid for in Queensland.

Height

Australia's tallest buildings in profile

At 322.5 m (1,058 ft) and with a roof height of 245 m (804 ft), Q1 qualifies as the world's sixth tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire), but is ranked lower behind buildings including The Marina Torch at 337 metres in Dubai and Melbourne's Eureka Tower (roof height of 297.28 metres (975.3 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 buildings 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 as of December 2011 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 243 m (797 ft) Soul building.

Design and construction

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. The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling team of the 1920s – Q1.

The concept was based on studies of wind, movement and tension in which a series of ribbons wrap concentrically around the tower form and hover above the entry plaza area providing cover and shading. 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 facade 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 year 2005. Its main point of difference to other high-rise in Surfers Paradise is its glass enclosed sleek look. Q1 lift lobby is separated into two high speed lift groups. Four high speed lifts service levels B2 to level 42. Three separate high speed lifts service levels 43 to the penthouse on level 74.

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 (13 ft) of solid rock. Q1 contains one, two and three bedroom apartments. Building facilities include two lagoon swimming pools, a lap pool, gymnasium, small theatre, a ballroom and a spa centre.

An application to construct a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid 2010.

Observation deck

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 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, New South Wales to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The express elevator to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds.

Building condition

In 2009, reports of disrepair and poor building conditions emerged. 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. The north stairwell was assessed as defective due to the stairwell pressurisation system not meeting the minimum air flow requirements during a fire emergency. The Building Services Authority asked Q1's builders to rectify the problem in July 2010.

Events

Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site during New Year's Eve celebrations. 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.

On 28 March 2007, two base jumpers made an early morning jump from a northern side apartment. Base-jumping is illegal in Queensland. The professional skydivers pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court and were fined A$750 without a conviction being recorded.

Gallery

• 

  North view from the QDeck

• 

  Looking south down the coast

• 

  A night-time view north

• 

  Inland toward the west

• 

  Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Features & Facilities

THE FACILITIES:

• Outdoor and indoor pools
• Gymnasium, steam rooms and saunas (male and female)
• Sophisticated dining precinct
• Large and elegant apartment living
• Barbecue facilities
• Children's games room
• Convenience store open until midnight
• Tropical landscaping surrounding the sun terrace
• Day spa
• Meeting and conference facilities
• Hairdressing and beauty therapy within the building

See also

• 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

External links

• Q1 Resort & Spa
• Q1 Observation Deck (SkyPoint)
• Q1 on CTBUH Skyscraper Center
• Q1 at Emporis

Preceded by 21st Century Tower (Dubai)	Tallest all-residential building in the world 2005 - 2011	Succeeded by The Marina Torch (Dubai)
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)

List of tallest buildings in Australia
Next shorter Eureka Tower 300m	Next taller Tallest
Heights are to highest architectural element.