Designed with Sunland Design, the award-winning building was conceived in the Sydney Olympic year 2000. It drew inspiration from the Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House. The objective was to produce a sculptural form reminiscent of these Australian icons, and a glass skin facilitates this expression. The upswept roof form and spire reference the shape of the torch and provide a dramatic crown to the tower.
The building rises 323 metres and comprises a supertall tower of 527 residential apartments. The apartments separate into portions, with the smaller low-rise units for investors and operated as a hotel, and larger, high-rise units for owner-occupiers. The tower footprint is less than 10% of the site area, enabling a two-storey podium with retail, large swimming pools and water features, gymnasium, spa and dining areas at ground level. A large plaza provides a pedestrian-friendly urban space. A series of ribbons wrap around, providing cover and shading.
The result is an open-air galleria-like shopping precinct under the glazed ribbon structure and a curved retail façade to the street edges.
