Brisbane

This blog is merely my two cents worth on the international skyscraper scene. Anyone who has an interest in these majestic structures may have an interest in what I have to say. So on that note, welcome and may your visit provide enjoyable reading material.

Since I am based in Brisbane, Australia I figured this can be the logical place to start. Now according to some definitions, although there really isn't an official definition, a supertall skyscraper is any building whose roof or spire exceeds 300m. Going by this, Brisbane doesn't have any supertall skyscrapers, although it had the opportunity to build a monster 450m building, twice. At the time of these proposals, Brisbane just wasn't ready to have such humongous (that's a great word) buildings.

When I was growing up, the Brisbane skyline was dominated by three buildings: Central Plaza One, Waterfront Place and the Riverside Centre. Personally I never quite took a liking to Central Plaza One, which held the crown as Brisbane's tallest for 17 years or so. On the whole, the 1990s was quite a stagnant decade for Brisbane skyscraper-wise.

That was until the arrival of Riparian Plaza. At 53 floors it ended CP1's reign of terror over Brisbane and ushered in a new era of modern skyline altering buildings. Shortly after the Aurora Tower, with 69 floors, took the crown from Riparian Plaza. Then on the other side of the CBD rose the somewhat controversial Brisbane Square which citizens either liked, loathed or didn't quite know what the hell to make of it.

And then . . . nothing. The tallest completed building has stood uncontested for almost two years. Thanks to the Internet I have discovered that some monsters are on the way for Brisbane. Of course, any building of considerable height is welcomed in Brisbane, but when a building comes along to take the title of tallest, that is something special.

Thus, if construction goes ahead as planned, Brisbane will look quite spectacular in 2010. The tallest building crown will pass from structure to structure and it should be very interesting to watch the various buildings climb into the sky.

As for what's on the horizon for Brisbane, well it appears that Vision is the tallest building planned for the city at least for now. I'm certain though that this wave of new towers should keep us happy for a while at least.

Riparian Plaza was the herald of the 200m + era for Brisbane skyscrapers. I believe that Vision will pave the way for a 300m building and finally give Brisbane a 'true' supertall skyscraper.