Rialto Towers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rialto Towers | |
|---|---|
| Complete | |
| Begun | 1982 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete |
| Location | |
| Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
| 525 Collins Street in the CBD | |
| Height | |
| Roof | 251 m (824 ft) |
| Pinnacle | 251 m (824 ft) |
| Floors | 63 (+ 3 basement floors) |
| Companies | |
| Gerard de Preu and Partners (Architects) | |
| Perrott Lyon Mathieson (Architects) | |
| Grollo Australia (Construction) | |
| Observation Deck | |
| Yes | |
| Height | 234 m |
| Floor | 55 |
| Opened | 1994 |
Rialto Towers (often The Rialto) is the second-tallest reinforced concrete building and the tallest office building in the Southern Hemisphere, when measured to its roof. (Several other skyscrapers in Australia are taller if their spires are included, as are some other structures such as communications masts and observation towers). It is at 525 Collins Street, in the western central business district of Melbourne, Australia.
Designed by architects Gerard de Preu and Partners in association with Perrott Lyon Mathieson, it was built between 1982 and 1986, opening in October 1986, and takes its name from the much older Rialto Building next door. The massive glass façade, its central feature, changes colour during the day, ranging from a trademark dark blue to a brilliant gold during sunset.
It is 251 m (824 ft) high, with 63 floors and 3 basement floors. It comprises two conjoined towers, the shorter North Tower being 185 m high with 43 floors. In total, there are 84,000 m² of office space.
Early tenants moved into the lower floors while the upper floors were still under construction in 1984.
The Melbourne Observation Deck opened to the public on July 19 1994 and is on the 55th floor of the South Tower, at 234 m. Views of up to 60 km can be had on a clear day. It is serviced by two express passenger lifts.
There are 1,450 steps to the top of the building, which are the setting for a yearly Run Up race.
It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, and was inaugurated on October 15 1985.
It yielded its title as the tallest building in Australia on November 9, 2004, when the lift core of the under-construction Eureka Tower, also in Melbourne, surpassed its height.
| Tall buildings in Melbourne | |||||
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| Heights are to roof. | |||||
| List of tallest buildings in Australia | |||||
[edit] External links
- Rialto Towers
- Melbourne Observation Deck
- Rialto Towers at the World Federation of Great Towers
- Walking Melbourne profile
- Rialto Run Up
| Melbourne landmarks | |
|---|---|
| Buildings | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Royal Exhibition Building | Arts Centre Spire | Flinders Street Station | Federation Square | Crown Casino | Shrine of Remembrance | Luna Park | Sidney Myer Music Bowl | Rialto Towers | Melbourne Central | Queen Victoria Market |
| Precincts | Chinatown | Melbourne Docklands | Southbank | St Kilda |
| Nature and Parks | Royal Botanic Gardens | Fitzroy Gardens | Birrarung Marr | Carlton Gardens |
| Cultural Institutions | Melbourne Zoo | Melbourne Museum | National Gallery of Victoria | Victorian Arts Centre | State Library of Victoria |
| Transportation | Tullamarine Airport | Southern Cross Station | Flinders Street Station |
