Gold Coast construction of the $1.2 billion Spirit tower to be ‘one of the most complex’ ever done

CONSTRUCTION of the southern hemisphere’s tallest tower has begun in Surfers Paradise in what is being called one of the nation’s most complex building efforts ever attempted.

Artist impression of what will become the Gold Coast tallest building, Spirit, released by developers Forise Holdings.

ABOUT $44 million will be spent on underground works at the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest tower in Surfers Paradise before it literally sees the light of day.

Purpose-built cutting tools are being sent from Germany to complete the early stages of the 89-storey Spirit tower and 23m-long concrete pylons will be transported to the site of the old Iluka building on the largest trucks available.

The $1.2 billion project, plunging more than seven storeys underground, is considered one of the most complex in Australia.

Construction has begun on Spirit on the old Iluka site in Surfers Paradise Photo: David Clark

“Because of the size of the project and its location this will be one of the most technical foundations in Australia’s story,” said project spokesman Jordan Hickey, speaking on behalf of Hong Kong-based developer Forise.

Spirit tower is expected to be completed in 2020.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in the Gold Coast in terms of tourism and moving forward with growth.

“It is almost like mining, with the excavation to occur around the columns before the slabs are laid and as each level of the tower goes up, another basement level will go in.”

The foundation will be among the most complex ever built in Australia Photo: David Clark

Mr Hickey said the initial phase of construction, when the tower would begin to rise from the ground, would be complete in early 2018.

Precast 23m-long plunge columns, the equivalent of seven-storeys deep, will be manufactured off-site before being transported on the largest trucks available.

The foundation stage is built by the Keller Group, the world’s largest ground-engineering specialist.

A groundwater seepage cut-off system is also part of the first stage of works and will involve 60 on-site workers.

Mr Hickey said the works had begun before the launch of pre-sales because Forise had strong faith in the project, the Gold Coast’s property market and the city’s economy.

“Without any pre-sales and strong confidence, Forise are proceeding this contract and the main contract will not be let until the foundation is completed,” he said.

The development’s podium will have a selection of high-end shops.

The average number of employees currently on site are 60.

Sales and marketing on the development is expected to begin midyear.

Gold Coast councillors voted unanimous last September to approve the project, which will be built on the former Iluka site on Trickett Street.

The building is expected to be completed in 2020 and will reach a height of 297m, soaring above Q1’s 245m roof.

The building will have 479 bedrooms, with its highest liveable floor will be around 292m.

The project, first proposed by Forise in 2015, had a controversial path to approval, with an initial approval thrown out in court before a fresh application was made last year.

The site is cleared and ready for its deep-digging. Photo: David Clark

According to the initial application, Spirit is expected to bring at least $2 billion of economic benefit to the Glitter Strip.

Its features are expected to include three separate recreation deck levels and high-end shops.

A 2015 economic analysis of the project by Macroplan Dimasi and provided by Forise suggested the project has the potential to annually generate up to $70 million in visitor expenditure based on an expected 280,000 visitor nights in short-stay accommodation each year.