Melbourne skyscraper will be its tallest and have a green twist

Two eye-catching towers will make a bold addition to the city's existing green space and aim to provide a new sense of community

Spotted: During the Southbank by Beulah competition in 2018, some of architecture’s biggest names vied to lead a new mixed-use skyscraper development. The “Green Spine” design by Netherlands-based UNStudio and Australian firm Cox Architecture was declared the winner and is set to become the tallest skyscraper in Australia. The development will be located on a waterfront site, featuring two twisting glass towers with greenery running up the facades paying homage to Melbourne’s title of “The Garden City”.

The towers will be divided between apartments with greenery-covered balconies, offices, public green spaces, rooftop gardens, a town hall, retail space, and more. Throughout the structure, pocket parks will be a focal point that connects the neighbourhoods within the residential tower, providing its residents with a sense of community and a place to relax. The development will cover a total floor space of 270,000 sq metres, with the taller tower reaching a height of 365 metres — which beats the Shard in London — and the shorter 252,200 sq metres.   

The project has now received planning permission, with a budget of €1.2 billion. It is due to begin construction in Melbourne next year and is expected to be completed in 2026.

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