Q1 (building)

File:Q1 building GoldCoast.jpg

Q1 Tower was designed by SDG & The Buchan Group, and its form was inspired by the Sydney 2000 Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House. The name was given in honour of members of Australia’s Olympic sculling team of the 1920s – Q1.

The concept was based on studies of wind, movement and tension, in which a series of ribbons wrap concentrically around the tower’s exterior and hover above the entry plaza area, providing cover and shade. The tension in the movement and free form are expressed by the gradual twisting of the aluminium-clad ribbons as they move around the building. The result is an open-air galleria-like shopping precinct under the glazed ribbon structure and a curved retail façade to the street edges.

The project was developed by The Sunland Group and built by Sunland Constructions. The building was the Silver Award winner of the 2005 Emporis Skyscraper Award, coming in second to Turning Torso in Sweden.

Q1 was completed towards the end of 2005. Its main point of difference to other high-rise buildings in Surfers Paradise is its glass-enclosed sleek look. Q1's lift lobby is separated into two high-speed lift groups. Four high-speed lifts going 5.0 m/s service levels B2 to level 42. Three separate high-speed lifts going 8.0 m/s service levels 43 to the penthouse on level 74.{{cite web|url=http://www.holidayholiday.com.au/insider/q1-surfers-paradise|title=Q1 Surfers Paradise - Holiday Insider|date=25 October 2013|website=holidayholiday.com.au|access-date=23 March 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902141430/https://www.holidayholiday.com.au/insider/q1-surfers-paradise/|archive-date=2 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}

The building is supported by 26 piles, each {{convert|2|m|ft|spell=on}} in diameter, that extend {{convert|40|m}} into the ground passing through up to {{convert|4|m|ft|spell=on}} of solid rock. Q1 contains one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Building facilities include two lagoon swimming pools, a lap pool, gymnasium, small theatre, a ballroom and a spa centre.

An application to construct a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid-2010.{{Cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q1s-owners-want-to-add-thrilling-skywalk-up-to-towers-spire/story-fn5kfsdd-1225880896961 |title=Q1's owners want to add thrilling skywalk up to tower's spire |author=Tanya Westthorp |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=17 June 2010 |work=The Gold Coast Bulletin |publisher=Queensland Newspapers }}

File:Q1 Spire.jpg|The spire of Q1

File:Q1 top.jpg|The upper levels of Q1

File:Q1-resort.jpg|The western end of the tower as viewed from street level

File:Q1 tower.jpg|The eastern end of the tower as viewed from street level

At {{convert|322.5|m|ft|abbr=off}} and with a roof height of {{convert|245|m|ft|abbr=on}}, Q1 qualifies as the world's 17th tallest all-residential building when measured to the top of its structural point (spire),{{cite web |url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/List/tallest-residential-100-buildings |title=100 Tallest Residential Buildings in the World |work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=1 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210210241/http://skyscrapercenter.com/List/tallest-residential-100-buildings |archive-date=10 December 2012 |df=dmy-all }} but is ranked lower behind buildings including Melbourne's Australia 108 (roof height of {{convert|316.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}) and the Eureka Tower (roof height of {{convert|297.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}) when measured to its roof height and highest inhabitable floor. However, according to the ranking system developed by the U.S.-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the main criterion by which buildings are ranked is the height of the top of the spire, qualifying Q1 as the taller.

When the Q1 was completed, it overtook the 21st Century Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to become the world's tallest residential tower. When measured to its structural point, it dwarfs the Gold Coast skyline, with the closest buildings to Q1's height being the {{convert|220|m|adj=mid}} North Tower of Circle on Cavill and the {{convert|243|m|adj=mid}} Soul building.

In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Q1 was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat".{{Cite web|url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301|title=PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS|last=Bligh|first=Anna|author-link=Anna Bligh|date=10 June 2009|publisher=Queensland Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524033717/http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301|archive-date=24 May 2017|access-date=24 May 2017}}

{{Main|SkyPoint Observation Deck}}

Image:Q1 oberservation deck.jpg

SkyPoint, formerly known as QDeck, is an observation deck at levels 77 and 78. It is Australia's only beachside observation deck and has room for 400 people.{{cite web |url=http://www.skypoint.com.au/Visitor-Information/Facts--History.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302002210/http://www.skypoint.com.au/Visitor-Information/Facts--History.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2011 |title=Skypoint Facts & History |publisher=SkyPoint |access-date=14 October 2011 }} It is {{convert|230|m}} above the Surfers Paradise beach, giving the public a 360-degree view of Brisbane to the north, the Gold Coast hinterland to the west, Byron Bay, New South Wales, to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The express lift to the observation deck travels the 77 floors in 43 seconds, for a speed of 9.0 m/s.

{{update section|date=July 2017}}

In 2009, reports of disrepair and poor building conditions emerged.{{Cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q1-residential-tower-rusting-leaking-and-upsetting-tenants/story-e6freon6-1225784488214 |title=Q1 residential tower rusting, leaking and upsetting tenants |author=Phil Bartsch |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=8 October 2009 |work=The Courier-Mail |publisher=Queensland Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529081438/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q1-residential-tower-rusting-leaking-and-upsetting-tenants/story-e6freon6-1225784488214 |archive-date=29 May 2016 |df=dmy-all }} Peeling paint which has revealed rusty steel inside and outside, as well as shattered glass panels are amongst the visible concerns. The Building Services Authority has confirmed it has received complaints in relation to the building. The north stairwell was assessed as defective due to the stairwell pressurisation system not meeting the minimum air-flow requirements during a fire emergency.{{Cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/q1-highrise-stairwell-defective/story-e6freoof-1225785182425 |title=Q1 highrise stairwell 'defective' |author=Phil Bartsch |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=9 October 2009 |work=The Courier-Mail |publisher=Queensland Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130055527/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/q1-highrise-stairwell-defective/story-e6freoof-1225785182425 |archive-date=30 January 2014 |df=dmy-all }} The Building Services Authority asked Q1's builders to rectify the problem in July 2010.

Q1 has been used as a fireworks launch site during New Year's Eve celebrations.

{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}  

The building is one of the most popular destinations for students celebrating schoolies week, despite the body corporate committee treasurer's claims that most of the building's unit owners were opposed to their stay.{{Cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/q1-hoping-to-expel-schoolies/story-e6freoof-1225797691505 |title=Q1 hoping to expel Schoolies |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=14 November 2009 |work=The Sunday Mail |publisher=Queensland Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606144746/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/q1-hoping-to-expel-schoolies/story-e6freoof-1225797691505 |archive-date=6 June 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

On 28 March 2007, two BASE jumpers made an early-morning illegal jump from a northern side apartment.{{Cite news |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/750-fine-for-q1-base-jumpers/2007/05/01/1177788107588.html |title=$750 fine for Q1 BASE jumpers |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=1 May 2007 |publisher=Brisbane Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005194242/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/750-fine-for-q1-base-jumpers/2007/05/01/1177788107588.html |archive-date=5 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }} The skydivers pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates' Court and were fined A$750 without a conviction being recorded.{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-01/daredevil-pair-fined-for-jumping-off-gold-coast/2536892 |title=Daredevil pair fined for jumping off Gold Coast skyscraper |date=3 May 2007 |access-date=20 September 2010 |work=ABC New South Wales |publisher=Australian Broadcastion Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029001929/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-01/daredevil-pair-fined-for-jumping-off-gold-coast/2536892 |archive-date=29 October 2016 }}

At {{Convert|270|m}}, the SkyPoint Climb at Q1 is Australia’s highest external building climb.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skypoint.com.au/skypoint-climb|title=SkyPoint Climb - Gold Coast Highest Attraction {{!}} SkyPoint|website=www.skypoint.com.au|access-date=8 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109080901/https://www.skypoint.com.au/skypoint-climb|archive-date=9 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}

{{update section|date=September 2021}}

Q1 has been holding an annual Stair Climb event for a number of years.

File:Q1 Q Deck day.JPG|North view from the QDeck

File:Q Deck Day z.JPG|Looking south down the coast

File:Q1 qdeck night.JPG|A night-time view north

File:Q deck day 4.JPG|Inland toward the west

File:Surfers Paradise Dec 2013.JPG|Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

File:Gold Coast - Beach, Q1 Tower.jpg|Q1 as viewed from Surfers Paradise Beach

File:Q1 Gold Coast1.jpg|Q1 viewed from The Esplanade

{{Portal|Queensland|Architecture}}

• D1
• List of skyscrapers
• List of tallest buildings in Australia
• List of tallest buildings on the Gold Coast, Queensland
• List of tallest freestanding structures in the world

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Q1 (building)|Queensland Number One}}

• [http://www.q1.com.au/ Q1 Resort & Spa]
• [http://www.skypoint.com.au/ Q1 Observation Deck (SkyPoint)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20131105154826/http://skyscrapercenter.com/gold-coast/q1-tower/ Q1] on CTBUH Skyscraper Center (archived 5 November 2013)
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040910191549/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101921 Q1]}} at Emporis (archived 10 September 2004)

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{{succession box |

| before = 21st Century Tower
(Dubai)

| after = The Marina Torch
(Dubai)

| title = Tallest all-residential building in the world
{{convert|322.5|m|ft|adj=on}}

| years = 2005–2011

}}

{{succession box |

| before = 120 Collins Street
(Melbourne)

| after = Incumbent

| title = Tallest building in Australia
{{convert|322.5|m|ft|adj=on}}

| years = 2005–present

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere
{{convert|322.5|m|ft|adj=on}}

| years = 2005–2022

| before = 120 Collins Street

| after = Autograph Tower

}}

{{s-ach|aw}}

{{succession box |

| before = Torre Agbar
(Barcelona)

| after = The Wave
(Gold Coast)

| title = Emporis Skyscraper Award (Silver)

| years = 2005

}}

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{{Gold Coast skyscrapers}}

{{Supertall skyscrapers | current}}

{{Gold Coast Landmarks}}

{{Ardent Leisure}}

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Category:Skyscrapers on the Gold Coast, Queensland

Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2005

Category:Residential skyscrapers in Australia

Category:Tourist attractions on the Gold Coast, Queensland

Category:Surfers Paradise, Queensland

Category:Q150 Icons

Category:Observation towers in Australia