Sapphire by the Gardens tops out

The two towers have been constructed to full height.

Multiplex has topped out the distinctive Sapphire by the Gardens complex, on a gateway city site near the Royal Exhibition Building.

With two towers – 62 and 60 storeys rising 232 and 230 metres respectively – the project at the south east corner of Exhibition and La Trobe streets, is due to open from next year.

Multiplex has spent more than two million hours getting Sapphire by the Gardens to this stage.

The taller skyscraper will contain a 5-star Shangri La hotel with 500 suites and the largest ballroom in the Melbourne CBD.

This component was also listed for sale in March carrying a c$500m guide.

The 60 level building will house 325 apartments.

The two structures will be connected via a skybridge.

Multiplex regional managing director Graham Cottam said “constructing two towers simultaneously takes exceptional planning and management, especially when facing construction and engineering complexities like the iconic sky bridge, 46 storeys in the air”.

The site has had more than 400 workers daily at its peak with over two million hours worked to date, he added (story continues below).

Artist’s impression of the completed Sapphire by the Gardens project.

Sapphire by the Gardens

SP Setia paid Telstra $101 million in 2016 for the 4140 sqm property making way for Sapphire by the Gardens, 288-308 Exhibition St.

It then appointed Fender Katsalidis and Cox Architecture to pen the design.

“The completion of Sapphire by the Gardens and the Shangri-La will mark our fifth significant development within Melbourne,” the developer’s president and chief executive officer, Datuk Choong Kai Wai, said.

“We are delighted to have reached this milestone, a testament to the collaboration and determination of our team and subcontractors,” he added.

Colliers’ Gus Moors is marketing the Shangri La.

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Marc Pallisco

A former property analyst and print journalist, Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au.