The Eureka Tower stands proudly in Melbourne, Australia, just beside the Central Business District (CBD). With 90 floors and a height nearing 300 meters, it was completed in 2006. It held the title of Melbourne’s tallest building until 2020, when Fender Katsalidis’ Australia 108 surpassed it, reshaping the city’s skyline.
An impressive 583 apartments were offered, most of which sold within six months of opening, greatly exceeding expectations in popularity.
The tower is situated across the Yarra River, occupying an entire city block within Melbourne’s arts and cultural precinct. It houses hotels, office spaces, boutique apartments, commercial parking, hotel amenities, and retail units on the fifth floor. The north and south arcades, along with the adjacent garden plaza, provide a seamless connection between the Yarra River and Melbourne’s CBD. Artistic features are integrated throughout, including commemorative sculptures by Richard Skinner and boldly designed spatial graphics.
The building’s asymmetrical shoulders reflect the contrasting scales of Melbourne’s eastern and western urban forms. Its distinctive features include striking edges, irregular grooves, and sloping surfaces centered around the golden crown, creating a shimmering golden echo. The slender silhouette not only reduces wind impact but also allows natural light to reach the southern streets and neighboring buildings, casting elegant reflections and contributing a unique urban landmark.
The Eureka Tower acts like a triad sculpture, continuously offering a changing iconic presence for Melbourne. Its significant proportion of high-rise apartments introduces artistic elements to the riverside, enhancing the city’s cultural ambiance.
Additionally, the 88th floor houses a public observation deck that offers visitors panoramic views of Melbourne. This design choice fulfills the goal of “establishing extensive connections with the community.” Since its opening, the Eureka Tower has undoubtedly become a new landmark for the city.
Project Drawings
△ Base map
△ Base map
△ Base schematic diagram
△ Floor plans for levels 26-52
△ Floor plans for levels 53-65
△ Floor plans for levels 66-68
△ Elevation drawing
△ Elevation drawing
Project Information
Project Status: Completed in 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Timeline: 1999–2006
Client: Eureka Tower P/L
Building Area: 123,000 square meters
Facade Material: Glass
Type: Commercial, Residential Apartments, High-Rise
Functions: Apartments, Hotels, Observation Decks, Office Spaces, Commercial Parking, Hotel Facilities, Retail Rentals
Design Directors: Karl Fender, Noda Katsalidis
Design Team: Gerard van Beek, Michael Fazzino, Rainer Strunz, Kathie Hall, Anne Clisby, David Lee, Nigel Fitton, Davin Smith, Joseph Lebbos, Glenn Purcell, James Rutt, Wayne King, James Mills, Falk Peuser, Barde Gregory, Annie McIntyre, Frank Rog, Jeremy Holloway, Andrew Gelson, Katy Roach, Edward Hosken, Jessica Lee, Andrew Ta, Minh Le
Project Team
Construction: Grocon Pty Ltd
Structural Engineering: Robert Bird Group
Photography by John Gollings
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