Australia 108

When I first saw Australia 108, towering above Southbank in Melbourne, I remember stopping in my tracks. It wasn’t just the height—although at 316.7 metres, it’s the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere—it was the striking design and presence that really hit me. This wasn’t just another skyscraper. It felt like Melbourne had stepped into a new chapter of bold, modern architecture.

The journey to build Australia 108 wasn’t exactly smooth. Originally proposed in 2009, the tower faced a series of hurdles, from height restrictions due to flight paths, to changing developers and delays. But in 2014, Singapore-based World Class Global took over the project, and by 2015, construction began in earnest. Watching the tower grow year by year from the Melbourne skyline felt almost symbolic of the city itself—ambitious, evolving, and not afraid to reach new heights.

One of the most defining features of the building is the golden “starburst” around the 70th floor. Inspired by the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag, it’s not just decorative—it actually houses luxury amenities and sky-rise residences. That design element is what gives the building its distinct character. It’s bold, futuristic, and unmistakably Australian in spirit. When I stand across the river in the city or drive past on the West Gate Freeway, that gold burst catches the light in a way that demands your attention.

From a construction point of view, the build itself was an incredible feat. Given its height and slender design, engineers had to account for wind sway and structural stability in new and clever ways. The “jumpform” method was used to pour the core of the building as it climbed skyward—a technique I’ve always found fascinating for how efficiently it allows tall towers to rise. What’s more impressive is that despite the technical complexity, the build was completed in just under five years, with residents moving in by 2020.

But beyond its physical dominance, Australia 108 represents something bigger for Melbourne. It’s a symbol of aspiration. It’s a signal that we, as a city, are willing to compete on a world stage—not just in terms of livability or culture, but architecturally too. For a long time, Sydney held the crown for skyscrapers in Australia. With Australia 108, Melbourne has well and truly stepped into that conversation.

And personally, whenever I walk past it or photograph it from afar, I think about what it means for our skyline and for the next generation of architects and builders. It’s a benchmark. It’s a bold statement of what’s possible. For anyone who’s passionate about construction, architecture, or the evolution of urban space in Australia, Australia 108 isn’t just a building. It’s a milestone.

Standing beneath it, looking up, you can’t help but feel inspired. And that’s exactly what great architecture should do.

Timmy Smalls