Vision of things to come

A billion dollars burning a hole in your pocket? Wondering what you could possibly build? In Brisbane, $1 billion can get you the tallest tower in the city.

Vision, a 79-storey, 287m structure, is set to become Queensland's largest vertical village. The self-contained tower will feature a civic and retail plaza, commercial workplaces, and more than 400 residential apartments and penthouses. Encouragingly for the developer, Austcorp, the structure has been exceptionally well received by investors, with 70% of sales achieved years ahead of completion, says Trevor Chappell, the company's director.

"Vision will be an icon for the city of Brisbane, with a range of amenities and services on a scale never seen before in the state's capital. Melbourne has the Rialto Towers, Sydney has the World Tower and now Brisbane will have the Vision Tower."

Enticements for investors are likely to have been the luxury hotel-style concierge service, dedicated business centre, spa with gym and swimming pool, and a 5-star restaurant on the 62nd floor.

The building's designer, Buchan Group, was selected for the project following an architectural competition. The design offers a number of interesting adaptations of layout styles, including split-level and double-height interlocking layouts. The structure is being built by Grocon.

Story by: Trendsideas