Are you fascinated by the stunning skylines of Australia but unsure where to begin your architectural exploration? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the impressive range of iconic buildings and landmarks.
As the hero of your experience, you deserve to uncover the stories and designs behind these magnificent structures. With our expertise in Australian architecture, we’re here to guide you through this adventure, sharing insights and knowledge to enhance your understanding.
In this article, you will discover:
- The top 20 iconic buildings in Australia
- Historical and modern skyscrapers
- Unique designs and their significance
So, let’s get started! By exploring these structures, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Australia’s architectural heritage and envision your next adventure.
Historic Tall Buildings
Australia has a rich history of tall buildings, some of which have become iconic structures. In this section, we will explore two of the most historic tall buildings in Australia.
1. AMP Building
The AMP Building is a notable office building located at 33 Alfred Street in Sydney. Completed in 1962, it was the tallest building in Australia at that time, standing 114 meters tall with 26 floors. Designed by the architectural firm Peddle, Thorp & Walker, the building has a unique square shape that narrows as it goes up, and its exterior is made of precast concrete panels. The AMP Building is still in use today and houses various businesses, making it an important part of Sydney’s skyline and history.
2. 120 Collins Street
120 Collins Street, located in Melbourne, is the tallest office building in Australia, standing at 265 meters tall. Completed in August 1991, the building has a unique shape that tapers at the top and is covered in glass and granite, giving it a modern look. Inside, it houses many well-known companies, including Rio Tinto. For 14 years, it was the tallest building in Australia until it was surpassed by the Q1 Tower in 2005, and it remains an iconic part of Melbourne’s skyline today.
See Also: Tallest Buildings in Peru
Modern Skyscrapers
Australia is home to some of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world. In this section, we will explore four of the most modern and impressive skyscrapers in Australia.
3. Q1 Tower
Located on the Gold Coast, the Q1 Tower is the tallest residential building in Australia. With a height of 322.5 meters, this iconic building is evidence of modern architectural prowess. The tower features 78 floors of luxury apartments, as well as a range of amenities including a pool, gym, and restaurant.
4. Australia 108
Australia 108 is a 100-storey residential skyscraper currently under construction in Melbourne. With a height of 317 meters, it will be the second-tallest building in Australia when completed in 2020. The building will feature 1,105 apartments, as well as a range of amenities including a pool, gym, and cinema.
5. Eureka Tower
The Eureka Tower is a 297-meter skyscraper located in Melbourne. Completed in 2006, it was the tallest building in Australia until it was surpassed by the Q1 Tower in 2007. The tower features 91 floors of apartments, as well as a range of amenities including a gym, sauna, and observation deck.
6. Deutsche Bank Place
Located in Sydney, Deutsche Bank Place is a 240-meter skyscraper that was completed in 2005. The building features 39 floors of office space, as well as a range of amenities including a gym, conference center, and rooftop garden. Its distinctive design, which features a series of interlocking diamond-shaped structures, has made it one of the most recognizable buildings in the Sydney skyline.
Residential Buildings
Australia is home to some of the tallest residential buildings in the world. In this section, we will explore four of the most iconic residential buildings in Australia.
7. Aurora Melbourne Central
Aurora Melbourne Central is a 92-story residential tower located in Melbourne. At 270 meters, it is the second tallest building in Melbourne and the fifth tallest in Australia. The tower features 959 apartments, a retail space, and a car park. The building was designed by Elenberg Fraser and completed in 2019.
8. Brisbane Skytower
Brisbane Skytower is a 90-story residential tower located in Brisbane. At 270 meters, it is the tallest building in Brisbane and the sixth tallest in Australia. The tower features 1,138 apartments, a hotel, and a retail space. The building was designed by Noel Robinson Architects and completed in 2019.
9. The One
The One is a 82-story residential tower located in Brisbane. At 264 meters, it is one of the tallest building in Australia. The tower features 500 apartments, a hotel, and a retail space. The building was designed by GroupGSA and completed in 2021.
10. Ocean
Ocean is a 75-story residential tower located on the Gold Coast. At 252.3 meters, it is one of the tallest building in Gold Coast. The tower features 270 apartments, a hotel, and a retail space. The building was designed by SJB Architects and completed in 2022.
See Also: Tallest Buildings in Chile
Commercial and Office Buildings
Australia is home to some of the tallest and most iconic commercial and office buildings in the world. In this section, we will explore four of the most notable buildings that dominate the Australian skyline.
11. Salesforce Tower
The Salesforce Tower is a 53-story skyscraper located in Sydney. With a height of 263 meters (863 feet), it is the tallest commercial building in the city. The tower features a unique design that includes a glass façade that reflects the surrounding skyline. The building is home to a range of high-profile tenants, including Salesforce, which occupies the top floors.
12. 101 Collins Street
Located in Melbourne, 101 Collins Street is a 50-story skyscraper that stands at 260 meters (853 feet) tall. It is one of the most prestigious office buildings in the city and is home to a range of corporate tenants, including law firms, financial institutions, and consulting firms.
13. 1 William Street
1 William Street is a 46-story office tower located in Brisbane. With a height of 260 meters (853 feet), it is one of the tallest building in the city. The tower features a distinctive curved design and a glass façade that provides stunning views of the Brisbane River and the surrounding cityscape. The building is home to a range of government agencies and corporate tenants.
14. Rialto Towers
Rialto Towers is a twin-tower skyscraper complex located in Melbourne. The North Tower stands at 251 meters (823 feet) tall, while the South Tower is slightly shorter at 218 meters (715 feet). The towers are connected by a skybridge that offers stunning views of the city. The complex features a range of office spaces, retail outlets, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Mixed-Use Buildings
Mixed-use buildings are becoming increasingly popular in Australia due to the growing need for urban development and space optimization. These buildings combine multiple functions such as residential, commercial, and office spaces. In this section, we will explore some of the most iconic mixed-use buildings in Australia.
15. Crown Sydney
Crown Sydney is a 75-floor mixed-use skyscraper located in Barangaroo, Sydney. The building includes a luxury hotel, residential apartments, and retail and dining spaces. With a height of 271.3 meters, it is currently the tallest building in Sydney.
16. West Side Place
West Side Place is a mixed-use development located in Melbourne’s central business district. The development includes five towers ranging from 65 to 81 floors, with a total of 2,600 apartments, a hotel, offices, and retail spaces. The tallest tower is one of the tallest buildings in Australia with a height of 268.7 meters.
17. Premier Tower
Premier Tower is a 78-floor mixed-use skyscraper located in Melbourne‘s central business district. The building includes 796 residential apartments, a hotel, and retail spaces. With a height of 245 meters, it is currently the fourth-tallest building in Melbourne.
18. 568 Collins Street
568 Collins Street is a 68-floor mixed-use skyscraper located in Melbourne‘s central business district. The building includes 588 residential apartments, offices, and retail spaces. With a height of 224 meters, it is currently the seventh-tallest building in Melbourne.
See Also: Global Tallest Buildings
Iconic and Unique Structures
Australia is home to some of the most iconic and unique structures in the world. In this section, we will explore four of these structures that stand tall among the rest.
19. Prima Pearl
Located in Southbank, Melbourne, Prima Pearl is a residential skyscraper that stands 254 meters (833 feet) tall with 72 floors. Completed in 2014, it is one of the tallest residential buildings in Melbourne. The building’s unique design features a faceted glass facade that reflects the surrounding cityscape.
20. Infinity Tower
Infinity Tower is a mixed-use skyscraper located in Brisbane. At 249 meters (817 feet) tall, it was the tallest building in Brisbane at the time. The tower contains 81 levels of serviced apartments and residential apartments totalling 549 units. Facilities available to tenants include a spa, lap pool, private gym, and sauna.
21. Central Park
Central Park is a 51-storey office tower in Perth, Western Australia. The building measures 226 meters (741 ft) from its base at St Georges Terrace to the roof, and 249 meters (817 ft) to the tip of its communications mast. Upon its completion in 1992, the tower became the tallest building in Perth and was the 4th tallest in Australia from then till 2005.
22. Riparian Plaza
Riparian Plaza is a skyscraper located in Brisbane. Completed in 2005, it stands 250 meters (820 feet) tall with 53 floors. It is a mixed-use building, with 11 car park levels from the ground up, 25 commercial levels, and 12 residential levels originally housing 50 penthouse apartments.
Future Projects
23. 56 Pitt Street
56 Pitt Street is a future project that is set to be completed in 2025. This 305-meter-tall tower will have 70 levels and will be located in Sydney‘s CBD. The tower will feature a mix of uses, including office, hotel, and residential spaces. Developed by Dexus and Cbus Property, this building is designed by architectural firm, TBA.
24. Southbank by Beulah
Southbank by Beulah is a mixed-use development that will be located in Melbourne‘s Southbank precinct. The development will feature two towers, one of which will be 366 meters tall, making it the tallest building in Australia upon completion. The towers will feature a mix of uses, including residential, commercial, and hotel spaces. The development is designed by the renowned architecture firm, UNStudio, and is set to be completed in 2026.
See Also: Famous Buildings in Australia
Tallest Buildings in Australia: A Recap
Australia is home to many impressive and unique buildings that make its cities special. From historic skyscrapers like the AMP Building to modern towers like Q1 and Australia 108, these structures shape the skylines of places like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Some buildings, like the Sydney Opera House and Eureka Tower, are well-known symbols of their cities. Others, like the planned Southbank by Beulah, show how Australia is looking to the future with bold designs and sustainable features. Together, these buildings tell the story of Australia’s rich past and exciting future in architecture.
