| Rialto Towers | |
|---|---|
| Complete | |
| Begun | 1982 |
| Completed | 1986 |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete | Location |
| Locale | Melbourne |
| Address | 525 Collins Street |
| Height | |
| Roof | 251m (824 ft) |
| Pinnacle | 251m (824 ft) |
| Floors | 63 (+ 3 basement) | Companies |
| Gerard de Preu and Partners (Arch.) | |
| Perrott Lyon Mathieson (Arch.) | |
| Grollo Australia (Construction) | Observation Deck |
| Yes | |
| Height | 234m |
| Floor | 55 |
| Opened | 1994 |
Rialto Towers is the tallest reinforced concrete structure and the tallest office building or skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere. Its street address is 525 Collins Street, in the Central Business District of Melbourne, Australia.
Designed by architects Gerard de Preu and Partners in association with Perrott Lyon Mathieson, Rialto Towers was built between 1982 and 1986, opening in October 1986, and takes its name from the much older Rialto Building next door. The massive glass façade, the building's central feature, changes colour during the day, ranging from a trademark dark blue to a brilliant gold during sunset.
It is 251m (824ft) high, constituting 63 stories (and 3 basement stories). The structure comprises two conjoined towers, the shorter North Tower being 185m high with 43 stories. In total, there are 84,000m2 of office space.
Early tenants moved into the lower floors while the upper floors were still under construction in 1984.
The Melbourne Observation Deck opened to the public on 19 July 1994 and is located on the 55th floor of the South Tower, at 234m. Views of up to 60km can be had on a clear day. It is serviced by two express passenger liftss.
There are a total of 1,450 steps to the top of the building, which are the setting for a yearly Run Up race.
Rialto Towers is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, and was inaugurated on 15 October 1985.
The building will yield its tallest title in late 2004, when Eureka Tower, also being built in Melbourne, is expected to surpass the Rialto's height.