Monday, April 03, 2006
Q1
Though pretty quick, our great steel elevator failed to gather enough speed to break through the roof, instead stopping at level 77 to let us out on the observation ‘deck’ of Q1.

Follow this: At 323m Q1 is the world’s tallest residential tower and the world’s 20th tallest man-made structure. It is the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere – taller than the Eureka building in Melbourne – but at 92 floors the Melbourne tower is the tallest to the roof. Q1 boasts the highest publicly accessible beachside observation point in the world and the penthouse is probably the world’s highest dwelling. Q1 also boasts the fastest elevator, climbing 77 stories in just 43 seconds. From the top on a clear day you can see 80km, making it theoretically possible to see the skyscrapers in Brisbane’s CBD.

The design of Q1 was inspired by the Olympic torch (Sydney 2000, of course) and the arches of Sydney Opera House. It was also inspired by money and prestige. That Q1 is purely residential is an indication that despite the Gold Coast economy slowly diversifying, it is still a tourist town, relying on tourist dollars and the spending habits of Asian visitors and second home owners.

What is not disputed is that – for a couple of years anyway (until two nearby towers at 240m and 220m are completed) – Q1 is massively taller than anything else on the Gold Coast. Just a year ago the view up the beach from Burleigh Head to Surfers Paradise was reminiscent of a view of Miami Beach.

Now, what were impressively tall apartment blocks lining the coast, have been diminished to mini-Lego sets in comparison. Q1 is probably twice as tall as anything else in Surfers.

Though we couldn’t see Brisbane, we still get a thoroughly impressive view of the entire length of the Gold Coast, from Coolangatta to South Stradbroke Island and the beautiful hinterland from Mount Warning in the distance, the Lamington/Springbrook Plateau, through to Mount Tamborine.

You also get to see the shark nets lying off the beach and the miles and miles of ostentatious, suburban, canal-side Gold Coast living. This is what the brochures and ad-men define as ‘lifestyle’; the primary goal of all aspiring Australian new money.


Tall and regimented, Q1, from its base.


View south, across suburbia, towards Mount Warning
on the horizon, the mountain we are climbing this weekend.





View north to Southport and Main Beach


Beach-going ants at Surfers Paradise


Q1 casts its shadow on Surfers Paradise's raison d'etre


Q1's shadow on the beach was
a cause of local concern.
When you are famous for your beach
and no one gets the sun, what's the
point?

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