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Metropolitan living will never be the same again a new residential high-rise in Melbourne's sought-after Southbank district has raised the bar for apartment design.

Eureka Tower, developed by Grocon, the Fried Group and The Katsalidis Group, was conceived as a tall, iconic building that would not only transform the city skyline, but also set a precedent for eco-friendly, high-end residential architecture.

At 300m tall, and with 92 storeys, Eureka Tower is currently taller than any other apartment building in the world. But it's not just the height of the building that has determined its landmark status its sculptural form and gold glass summit were also designed to make a bold visual statement.

Architect Nonda Katsalidis says his company has been at the forefront of the move to reinterpret traditional industrial materials, such as glass, concrete and stainless steel, to create aesthetic, sculptural, iconic buildings.

"Eureka Tower is my latest vision for the coming-of-age of Melbourne's residential living," Katsalidis says. "I am passionate about creating a structure that combines beauty with convenience, comfort, environmental responsibility, and security. Eureka's scale, sophistication and position allowed me to design a building that I believe Melbourne will embrace."

Daniel Grollo, joint managing director of Grocon, says the tower is also ground-breaking from a construction viewpoint.

"Grocon developed several world-first technologies during the design and building process. The emphasis throughout the entire project was on achieving a high-quality finish."

This attention to detail is evident in all of the 570 apartments, the reception foyer, cinema, gymnasium, saunas and swimming pool, and in the provision of 13 high-speed lifts.

Environmental features include double-glazed, high-performance glass that minimises heat gain and loss, and reduces energy costs. The tower curtain wall enveloping the structure is also insulated with spandrels that reduce heat loss.

Five-star energy-rated appliances were specified, and materials were sourced from renewable resources. In addition, the infrastructure allows for home automation and IT interactivity to monitor energy and water usage, promoting efficiency.

As well as the in-house amenities available to residents, the tower incorporates several public facilities. These include an observation deck with 360° views, from the Melbourne CBD to the Dandenong Ranges and Port Philip Bay.

The building, which is nearing the final stages of completion, also features a two-storey restaurant, cafe and bar complex, and a 7-11 convenience store. In addition, there will be several other restaurants and cafes in the plaza area, and a variety of retail outlets, including a pharmacy.

For more information, contact Benni Aroni at Eureka Tower, 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank, Vic 3006, phone (03) 8696 3777, fax (03) 9682 7812. Email: baroni@eurekatower.com.au, or visit the website: www.eurekatower.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas