Multiplex has celebrated a major construction milestone on S P Setia’s Sapphire by the Gardens development, topping out both high-rise towers in Melbourne’s CBD.
The development is located on the corner of Exhibition and La Trobe Streets, with the towers standing at 232 and 220 metres above street level respectively. Designed by Fender Katsalidis in collaboration with Cox Architecture, the project comprises a 62 level 5-star flagship Shangri-La Hotel and 60 level residential tower housing 325 luxury apartments.
“The completion of Sapphire by the Gardens and the Shangri-La will mark our fifth significant development within Melbourne,” said Datuk Choong Kai Wai, President and CEO of S P Setia.
“We are thrilled to see this iconic development come to life and stimulate thousands of local jobs during and after construction.”
The 500 room hotel will be joined to the residential tower via a Sky Lounge on Level 46, featuring a glass floor oculus with views of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.
Related stories:
The façade features champagne gold fins, and the Hotel will also deliver the largest ballroom space in Melbourne’s CBD.
“We are delighted to have reached this milestone, a testament to the collaboration and determination of our team and subcontractors,” said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex.
“Constructing two towers simultaneously takes exceptional planning and management, especially when facing construction and engineering complexities like the iconic sky bridge, 46 storeys in the air.”
Once completed, Shangri-La Melbourne will offer a variety of guestrooms, a range of bars and restaurants, conference facilities, a spa, gym and wellness centre and an indoor heated pool. Amenities will include a heated infinity edge swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, Sky Lounge, a cinema, karaoke room, chef’s kitchen and lounge with fireplace.
According to Multiplex, the site had more than 400 workers daily at its peak with over 2 million hours worked to date. The project is forecast to generate over 1,000 jobs including permanent roles within the Hotel on completion.
The unique Skybridge design posed construction challenges, with Multiplex creating a temporary protection deck beneath it to enable safe working access. This deck cantilevered out from the building and sat between two large trusses.
The first residents are expected to move into apartments in October, 2022 with construction of the precinct on track for completion early in 2023. The Hotel will welcome its first guests in 2024.
Multiplex has completed several new residential projects in Melbourne in recent years, including the recent ‘wave-like’ Premier Tower and the Southern Hemisphere’s highest residences in 100 storey Australia 108.