The Great Sky Tower in Auckland. Sky Tower - the tallest tower in New Zealand Who built the Sky Tower
The Sky Tower, the iconic broadcasting tower, is the landmark of the city of Auckland in the northern part of North Island New Zealand. The building, which looks like a giant igloo, is located at the intersection of Victoria and Hobson streets, 700 meters from the sea coast of the Hauraki Gulf.
Sky Tower - this is exactly what the translation of the original English name Sky Tower sounds like. The height of the tower from the ground to the end of the spire is 328 meters. This makes it the tallest structure in New Zealand and the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, the Sky Tower ranks 23rd in the ranking of the tallest towers in the world.
Technical characteristics of the Sky Tower
The tower is built from high-strength reinforced concrete. The diameter of the base is about 22 meters, and the diameter of the main part of the tower is 12 meters (excluding the upper part of the structure). At the bottom, the structure is supported by eight pillars, which in turn stand on 16 piles dug 15 meters into the ground.
The upper part is made of composite materials, structural steel and precast concrete.
During construction, 15,000 cubic meters of concrete, 2,000 tons of steel reinforcement and 660 tons of structural steel were used. The mast alone weighs more than 170 tons.
There are three lifts and an emergency staircase inside the building.
Who built the Sky Tower
Leading companies and specialists in this field were involved in the construction of the Sky Tower.
The developer was Fletcher Construction, with engineering firm Beca Group providing project management and coordination, structural, geotechnical, fire and many other services.
Harrison Grierson provided surveying services. The project was developed by Gordon Moller of Craig Craig Moller. By the way, he received the National Award from the Institute of Architects of New Zealand. The architect of the project was Les Dykstra.
Safety and cost of the project
The tower is designed to withstand winds of more than 200 km/h. As a precaution, Sky Tower elevators are equipped with special technologies that monitor the movements of the tower, in particular swaying from strong winds. If vibrations exceed safe values, the elevators automatically return to the ground floor and remain there until strong winds and building vibrations decrease.
The Sky Tower can withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of up to 8.0, occurring within a radius of 20 kilometers. There are three fireproof rooms on levels 44, 45 and 46, providing shelter in the event of an emergency. The central lift shaft and stairwells are also fire resistant.
The construction of the Sky Tower took 2 years 9 months (from 1994 to 1997) and 50 million US dollars (or 76 million New Zealand dollars). The grand opening took place on August 3, 1997.
Sky Tower as a tourist attraction
Naturally this high building attracts a lot of tourists. On average, the Sky Tower receives more than 1,100 visitors per day and more than 400,000 per year. There are a number of interesting places for tourists.
If you don’t dare to jump, but want to tickle your nerves, then use another service at the same level - Sky Walk or “Sky Walk”. The essence of this attraction is that you are securely secured using special restraints and sent for a walk along a kind of pedestrian path only 1.2 meters wide at an altitude of 192 meters. Impressions are definitely guaranteed.
These are not astronauts or prisoners. These are tourists on the Sky Walk at Sky Tower - On this same level there is an interesting restaurant, Sugar Club, from the windows of which you can see “two oceans” at once. From the east you can see the Hauraki Gulf (which connects to Pacific Ocean) with the islands of Waiheke and Rangitoto. To the west you will see the Tasman Sea.
Restaurateurs say that the Sugar Club offers “a view of two oceans,” but formally the Tasman Sea, like the Hauraki Gulf, belongs to the waters of one, the Pacific Ocean.
By the way, many such objects have glass floors. For example, it is on the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower in China. Don’t forget about the famous Glass Bridge (or as it is also called the Hero’s Bridge) in China.
The Sky Tower has a total of three levels with 360-degree views. These are the Sky Deck, Sky Cafe and the main observation deck.
Multicolored Sky Tower
The tower is illuminated by a variety of LED lamps, with individual colors and their combinations corresponding to certain significant dates and events. Here are the most famous ones.
- Pink - Mother's Day
- Red and Green - Christmas
- Red and Gold - Chinese New Year
- Green - St. Patrick's Day
- Red - Valentine's Day
- Lights Off - Earth Hour
- Multi-colored illumination corresponds to the New Year
Opening hours and cost of visiting the Sky Tower
In fact, the Sky Tower is open all year round.
From May to October: daily from 9 am to 10 pm (tickets sold until 9:30 pm)
From November to April: Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 to 22:30 (tickets sold until 10 pm) and Friday and Saturday from 8:30 to 23:30 (tickets sold until 11 pm).
Please note: The Sky Tower may occasionally close due to adverse weather conditions.
There is a fee to visit the tower. Tickets cost NZ$29 for adults and $12 for children (6-14 years old). Children under 5 years old are free.
It is noteworthy that recently it has become common practice to purchase a subscription for an annual visit to the tower. Ticket prices for 1 adult + 1 child start at $95 for 12 months.
Known for 15 years Sydney Tower, located in Australia, remained the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, but in 1997 it was surpassed in height by the Sky Tower, which was built in Auckland ( New Zealand). The tower also took 12th place in the list of the tallest buildings and structures on the planet.
Sky Tower is located in the heart of Auckland on the Hauraki Gulf coast. The height of the tower is 328 m, and it is part of an entertainment complex called Sky City, which is famous for its various restaurants, casinos and disco bars. The Sky Tower has become a real leisure center for everyone local residents and visitors, and in a year approximately 600 thousand people manage to visit it.
Features of the Sky Tower
The Sky Tower was opened to the public in 1997, 2.5 years after the start of construction. From a distance, the massive tower core, 12 m in diameter, made of durable concrete, appears smooth, but up close you can see that there are 8 vertical ribs at its base. These reinforced concrete supports support the entire weight of the structure, and the foundation of the tower lies at a depth of over 15 meters.
Hidden inside the concrete core is an elevator shaft and an emergency staircase. The last floors of the building are made of innovative composite materials. The observation deck, located at an altitude of 210 meters and called the "Sky Deck", shimmers in the sun thanks to its aluminum structure and blue and green reflective glass. The concrete ring located above it acts as a support for a multi-sectional radio and television communication mast. The weight of the hollow steel pipe is 170 tons. Some antennas run inside the mast, while others ring around the top like a crown.
The tower was built from 15 thousand cubic meters of concrete and 3 thousand tons of steel. During construction, high-precision control was carried out to ensure that the core of the structure did not deviate beyond acceptable limits during construction. For this purpose, modern methods were used: there was laser equipment on the ground, which was connected to a space satellite. The designers of the tower built into the structure a huge margin of safety, which will allow the Sky Tower to withstand hurricane gusts of up to 200 km/h (such winds occur extremely rarely - once every thousand years), and the Sky Tower can withstand an earthquake of up to 8 points.
From the top of the tower there is a stunning view of the city and the bay, which is dotted with yachts and ships. On clear days, the visibility range reaches 80 km. No wonder the tower immediately became New Zealand's most popular tourist attraction. In addition to 3 observation platforms, there are cafes, restaurants and others entertainment venues. Each of the three elevators has a transparent glass floor, and passengers can watch with their own eyes how the ground moves away under their feet. Initially, this fantastic attraction was only in one of the elevators, but over time, due to its amazing popularity, two other elevators were equipped with glass floors. Special safety glass 38 mm thick allows you to see a 200-meter-deep elevator shaft under your feet.
- Address: Victoria St W & Federal St, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand;
- Telephone: +64 9-363 6000;
- Website: skycityauckland.co.nz;
- Working hours: 09.00 - 22.00
Sky Tower or “Sky Tower” is an active radio tower that adorns the central part of the city.
Interesting Facts about Sky Tower
The sky tower is part entertainment complex"Sky City", popular for its excellent restaurants, colorful disco bars and casinos. Open to tourists since March 1997.
The Sky Tower is equipped with observation decks that provide impressive views of the city and attract many foreigners. About one and a half thousand people become its visitors every day, and their number reaches 500 thousand a year.
The Sky Tower is considered the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, its height reaches 328 meters. In addition, the Sky Tower in Auckland is part of the World Federation of High-Rise Towers and takes an honorable 13th place.
Let's look at the Tower from the inside
The Sky Tower has three observation platforms, each located at a certain height and providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
At the top of the Sky Tower there is a cozy cafe and two restaurants. The restaurant, which is open at an altitude of 190 meters, is popular with tourists. Its peculiarity is its hourly rotation around its axis.
The main site is located at an altitude of 186 meters. Its highlight is the sections made of the strongest glass and mounted into the floor. Tourists coming here have the opportunity to consider not only what surrounds them, but also what is under their feet.
At an altitude of 220 meters is the highest platform of the Sky Tower, which the creators called the “Sky Deck”. This observation deck allows you to see the surrounding area within a radius of 82 kilometers.
The most visited top of the Sky Tower is its antenna part, located at an altitude of 300 meters. You can only get there as part of an excursion group.
After a walk and exploring the surrounding area, you can visit the Sky Jump attraction, which is located on one of the levels of the Tower. This entertainment is not for the faint of heart, as its essence lies in jumping from a height of 192 meters. Extreme lovers can expect incredible falling speeds, which in some cases can approach 85 kilometers per hour. The organizers of the attraction monitor the safety of those jumping; each fall has a direction, which is ensured by a safety rope. If you wish, you can make the jump together with an experienced instructor.
It is not only an Auckland landmark, but also the city's telecommunications center. The sky tower broadcasts many TV channels, broadcasts local and foreign radio stations, and also provides urban areas with Internet access, weather reports and the exact time.
In addition, business centers are equipped inside the Tower; it is possible to hold various kinds of conferences, banquets, exhibitions and other public events.
Useful information for tourists
The Sky Tower is open to the public 365 days a year, seven days a week. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 22:30. Paid entrance. Ticket for adult visitors (without restrictions and discounts) - $30, for children half the price.
To visit the Sky Jump attraction you must undergo a medical examination. The service is paid.
How to get to the attraction?
You can get to the Sky Tower in New Zealand by buses following routes No. 005, INN to the Victoria St West Outside Sky Tower stop. Further walking which will take 5 - 7 minutes. If desired, use the services of a city taxi or rent a car. Tower coordinates: 36°50′54″ and 174°45′44″.
The Sky Tower is one of New Zealand's most breathtaking landmarks. It is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and the tallest human creation in New Zealand. The height of the Sky Tower is 328 meters. The tower was built by Fletcher Construction and was designed by Gordon Moller. It took 2 years and 9 months to build the tower; the plan required six months more. The design of the tower provides for the possibility of storms with wind gusts of up to 200 km/h, as well as earthquakes of magnitude 8 within a radius of 20 km from the tower.
The three glass elevators of the Sky Tower can accommodate 225 people at a time. Elevators run on schedule every 15 minutes. They move at a speed of 18 km/h, thus spending only 40 seconds to travel to the very top. The tower has 3 observation decks, from each of which you can view a 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, the distance over which the surrounding area is visible is 82 km.
The Sky Tower, in addition to the opportunity to enjoy unprecedented views of the surrounding Auckland region, opens up ample opportunities for entertainment. In its depths, anyone can visit any of the 11 restaurants or 10 bars, each of which has its own cuisine, theme and atmosphere.
The Sky Tower has two hotels (Skycity Hotel and Skycity Grand Hotel), offering various options for accommodation, food and rental periods, depending on the needs of tourists. There is even a casino here where anyone can play poker.
The bravest ones can experience all the delights of ski jumping (SkyJump). Under the supervision of an experienced instructor, extreme sports enthusiasts fall from a height of 192 meters. The flight lasts about 11 seconds and travels at a speed of approximately 85 km/h. The flight ends with a smooth landing at Sky City Plaza. The flight is so safe that this service can be used by anyone of almost any age.
To hold various types of business events, the Sky Tower provides a conference complex SKYCITY Auckland Convention Center with an area of 5,000 sq.m. In addition to conferences, the tower has all the conditions for banquets, exhibitions, meetings, web conferences, gala dinners, awards, charity dinners, etc.
The Auckland Sky Tower is actually a whole city within a city.