BrisbaneSkytower

Constructing Brisbane’s tallest tower has not come without its fair share of challenges. The stringent CASA height restrictions in Brisbane have required us to be creative in building the final levels. In order to comply with regulated height limits, we installed a custom designed cantilevered tower structure on level 66. The structure uses hydraulics to lift a flathead crane into operation during the day, lowering it into dormancy during the night. Any activity over RL152 is classified as entering Airspace and must undergo a rigorous application to proceed. Thanks to forward planning, the numerous applications – some up to 7 months – haven’t delayed Skytowers estimated completion date.

In October 2018, Hutchies were thrilled to have Skytower as a launch platform for Brisbane Open House while it was still under construction. In anticipation of the completion of Skycity, 300 members of the public were given an exclusive tour through levels 50, 62 and 66. Skytower promises a fusion of bustling city life, view-filled living and five-star resort facilities all in one iconic building and Hutchinson Builders is proud of Brisbane Skytowers end product.

The Skytower site at 222 Margaret Street has an infamous history. Originally the site was intended for ‘Vision Brisbane’, a 283m high mixed used skyscraper. Soon after construction started, the developer went into liquidation leaving a seven story deep excavation site which sat dormant for seven years until it was purchased by Billbergia early in 2011. At the height of Brisbane’s 2011 floods, Billbergia partnered with Brisbane City Council to use the site as a temporary dam, enabling neighbouring basements and buildings flooded to be drained as quickly as possible, saving the surrounding buildings from excessive water damage. When Hutchies began work on the new nine level basement car park, a barge was brought in to slowly drain the water. The water worked in our favour by reinforcing the already built structure, creating pressure that stabilised the expired rock anchors. The rock anchors were reinforced and renewed level by level as the water was drained.

The contract award for Skytower was the culmination of a two year collaboration with developer consortium, Billbergia and AMP.

Hutchies engaged Nettletontribe as our construction architect along with other highly regarded consultants including ADG and Bonacci as structural engineers. WSP, who provided the original services concepts also remained involved on the project, reviewing the D&C services designs produced by Hutchies' services subcontractors. Quality partnerships together with cooperative and collaborative peer reviews across all disciplines and trades, has brought surety, risk minimisation and a quality outcome.