Rialto Towers

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Rialto Towers
Information
Location	Melbourne, Australia
Status	Complete
Constructed	1982-1986
Use	office
Height
Roof	251 m (824 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	63 (plus 3 underground)
Floor area	84,000 m² (904,000 ft²)
Companies
Architect	Gerard de Preu and Partners Perrott Lyon Mathieson
Contractor	Grollo Australia

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 side of the central business district of Melbourne, Australia.

[edit] Background

Designed by William Pitt, the 1889 Rialto Building is situated next to Rialto Towers and prevented its development until the 1980s.

The site of the Rialto Towers was occupied by Robb's Buildings, a grand classical styled 5 storey Victorian office building designed by Thomas Watts and Sons^[1] (and reputedly the tallest in Melbourne in 1885)^[2], and a 1920s building of the same size. The site was owned by the National Mutual Life Association. Located adjacent to the Rialto Building and the Winfield Building, both historic buildings dating from the late 19th century which formed part of a height limited uniform streetscape which continued to the site of the Rialto towers, the corner of King and Collins Streets. Little progress was made until 1980 when the site was acquired by Grollo Australia.^[3] Despite the structural integrity of Robb's buildings and objections by the National Trust of Victoria, Grocon argued that the retention of Robb's Buildings would spoil the effect of the proposed building and that as it would not integrate well with the new structure, the Rialto should have its own modern concrete and glass podium.

[edit] Construction

Robb's buildings were subsequently demolished opening the way for construction to begin on the Rialto.

Designed by architects Gerard de Preu and Partners in association with Perrott Lyon Mathieson, the building 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.

In total there are 36 passenger lifts, 95km of lift cables and 706 lift door openings. 13,000 windows cover the outer surface of the building.

[edit] Relationship to other towers

It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers since October 1994, and was inaugurated on October 15, 1985.

It lost its title as the tallest building in Australia on November 9, 2004, when the lift core of Eureka Tower, also built by Grollo, surpassed its height.

[edit] Photo Gallery

Panoramic view from the Rialto at night showing the CBD and Southbank lit up

Melbourne CBD panorama view from the observation deck of Rialto Tower

View from the Rialto Observation Deck looking east over the Melbourne CBD	The Rialto Towers viewed over the Yarra River, from Crown Casino.	The Rialto Towers amongst other skyscrapers in the western part of the Melbourne CBD	Rialto Towers taken August 13th, 2007 from Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The Rialto building and towers viewed from Collins St. Melbourne.	Melbourne Rialto Towers in North Bank of the Yarra River	Viewed from the base of the Rialto Towers in Collin Street

[edit] References

1. ^ Robb's buildings, corner of Collins and King Streets Melbourne [picture] by
2. ^ Robb, John (1834 - 1896) Biographical Entry - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online
3. ^ Building Construction (Building Profile → Features → Construction). Retrieved on 2007-01-17.

[edit] External links

• Rialto Towers
• Melbourne Observation Deck
• Rialto Towers at the World Federation of Great Towers
• Walking Melbourne profile
• Rialto Run Up

Coordinates: 37°49′08″S, 144°57′30″E