#Article: City Tower 'Would Draw' Tourists

[Howie]

Scanned from today's Tiser. I think it's very in-line with today's thinking.

[Shuz]

I think Australia should have just one tower, and better it be in Adelaide than in Sydney, because it would really help them and us with height limit issues!

[AG]

The issue of drawing tourists in is a bit more complex than a simple statement that one icon is going to change a tourist's perspective of a location overnight. Should we build a 700m tall stick out in the middle of the bush to attract tourists there? Even if you can build an icon, it won't be successful in drawing in tourists unless there are services and infrastructure to compliment the things that draw tourists in. Bilbao in Spain is a great example of a location that built an icon (The Guggenheim Museum for those who don't know) and also built new infrastructure (including a subway system) and services to compliment it.

[wilkiebarkid]

She's obviously highly intelligent that Caroline Wilkie!

Having said that, I wouldn't be keen on a tower like the one in Sydney. A taller building than Westpac with top floors dedicated to panoramic viewing, and maybe a revolving restaurant would suffice.

Other suggestions such as the relocation of Keswick terminal to the City are also echoed by David Woolford (National chairman for Knight Frank in recent article for The Independent Weekly) and of course plenty of other people.

[Howie]

haha.. excellent work Caroline!

I've said for a long time, we don't have to have a city full of 200m's ... just one single icon around the 300-350m mark. That's probably the single most powerful message we can send that Adelaide has arrived.

[Wayno]

I also like the idea subsidized transport to KI. It costs ~$400 for a family of 4 (2 adults / 2 kids) for a return trip on Sealink. You could almost fly the netire family interstate for that sort of money...

Cheaper transport = more people living on the island and holidaying in SA. Would also mean an increase in the number of accommodation options (more eco-resorts ideally). Win-Win.

[Omicron]

Honestly? A tall tower or notable building, in the vast majority of cases, do very little towards attracting measurably higher numbers of tourists without much wider investment in tourist facilities and venues within the entire city. Certainly, as examples of investor confidence in a given local economy, a notable building can encourage further investment, but I very much doubt that a single development of the calibre that would be required to draw in a substantial number of tourists based on the lure of the one building alone could be justified for Adelaide at present.

Unless Adelaide's tower were the tallest in the country; unless a new art museum had collections superior to the National Gallery of Victoria; unless a theme park were as popular as those on the Gold Coast; does it make sense to construct a 'second-best' building that would rely so heavily on its fame for revenue - fame not necessarily guaranteed if it were not the most impressive of its kind? That's not to say that we should not try for exciting developments of the highest calibre, but they must be those which are unique, fresh and distinctive - and I don't think an observation tower for Adelaide is that kind of development.

[Howie]

Forgive me but i'd have to disagree with some of your points there, but I know where you're coming from regarding building 'second best' - we should be aiming for world best. But we already have alot of excellent attractions, we just need a beacon. I'm also of the iconic architecture school of thought. Exceptional architecture does many things for the psyche of the city, and perceptions of a city beyond it's boundaries. Take for example this list of what is regarded as the 15 best skylines in the world http://www.tsjukebox.com/showFlipper.php?flipperid=475

The Bank of China towering over Hong Kong.

Sears Tower and it's presence on the Chicago skyline.

The Oriental Pearl tower making Shanghai one of the most recognisable skylines in the world.

and how can we forget CN Tower in Toronto.

Although i am obviously a skyscraper-watcher, my personal lifelong ambition is to get onto the observation decks of every tall building in the world one day. My sole purpose for travelling to KL is to go up what I consider Asia's finest structure... KL Tower. Although overall I was slightly disappointed with what else KL had to offer.. just dining on the observation decks of KL Tower was an experience that'll live with me forever.

Here are some of my personal happy snaps.


The presence of this building is simply amazing.. no matter where you are in the city you always knew where the twin towers were. Even if you didn't have direct line of sight of the building, it casts a white glow on the clouds above. Quite literally this building reaches to the clouds.


KL Tower... although the super quick elevator ride to the top gave me a nose bleed by the time I arrived at the lobby.. this next view from the restaurant was to die for.


The view from the restaurant.



So you see, as a tourist these structures have had an effect on me.. although I believe in terms of tourist hotspots KL doesn't have all that much more than Adelaide to offer (i mean we have glenelg, handorf, beautiful beaches, wineries, everything!) I will certainly come back to KL, and this time i'm going on the observation deck of Petronas. Plus I hear they have a few more tallies on the way. Guess i'm there for the view, and then secondly explore what's around. Guess the average tourist to KL isn't much different to me either as the observation deck tickets are usually all booked out by about 7am every morning... so you better start lining up for tickets at 6am in the morning.

[crawf]

The only place I would support a observation tower would be Mount Lofty, I know there were plans for one years ago though I still strongly believe it should be built. As it would become a major attraction for Adelaide/Hills including a observation deck/revolving restaurant about 40 or 50m off the ground which will have 360 degree views over the metropolitan area and the beautiful Piccadilly Valley. It would also replace the current transmission towers for radio and television stations and it would be heavily marketed around SA, Australia and some places around the world.

And to top it off a chair lift from a eastern fringe suburb (say Waterfall Gully) connecting it up with a 250-80m observation tower via Cleland Wildlife Park.

Thats my 'pie in the sky' dream, though there is major potential for something like that even a chairlift.

As for a observation tower in the CBD, Its a no for me. A observation tower in the city would look out of place especially with our current 'tired looking' low rise skyline, limit building heights in the future and I would rather a few 150m+ buildings (one of them including a 360 degree ob deck) which would transform the skyline and give the impression to people that Adelaide is changing.

Plus I am totally against anything that looks like Centerpoint Tower, definitely not a fan.

[Howie]

An observation tower on Mt Lofty? There's already a lookout, i'm not sure what adding height on top of an already tall Adelaide Hills would do.

For me, it'd certainly have to be in the CBD, otherwise what sort of contribution would it make to our skyline? It's already a great looking skyline, with plenty of nice density and 60-100m towers.. all it'd need is just one really tall, that everyone in the city could reach very quickly by foot or by tram for it to work. You wouldn't expect to see centerpoint in the blue mountains.. you wouldn't expect a eureka style lookout on the dandenong ... so why would you expect a lookout tower on Mt Lofty?

[crawf]

An observation tower on Mt Lofty? There's already a lookout, i'm not sure what adding height on top of an already tall Adelaide Hills would do.

Yes, though it only looks out over Adelaide. I suggested a tower with a ob deck around 40m above ground because than its higher than the tree tops so you can be able to look out towards the beautiful lush green Piccadilly Valley.

However after thinking about it I would rather a tower around the 200m mark and the ob deck around 30m.

For me, it'd certainly have to be in the CBD, otherwise what sort of contribution would it make to our skyline? It's already a great looking skyline, with plenty of nice density and 60-100m towers.. all it'd need is just one really tall, that everyone in the city could reach very quickly by foot or by tram for it to work.

I'm not really talking about making a contribution to the skyline, though as a important major attraction for Adelaide/Hills which would become recognizable around the world (like similar ob towers) however I'm against a tower in the city, much in favour of a 200m building with a ob deck.

You wouldn't expect to see centerpoint in the blue mountains.. you wouldn't expect a eureka style lookout on the dandenong ... so why would you expect a lookout tower on Mt Lofty?

No, but those ranges aren't that close to their city CBDs compared to Adelaide. Plus the ob deck wouldn't be 300m above ground and who cares if those cities don't have one, Adelaide is more suited for one especially if it includes a chairlift.

Really the best example of this is Canberra's 195m Telstra Tower on top of Black Mountain. Which has a ob deck close to the ground (similar to the one I'm proposing) and is a major attraction for the ACT - which I've been too, however I wouldn't want to see the same design for a potential Mt Lofty tower.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra_Tower

[Brando]

The only place I would support a observation tower would be Mount Lofty, I know there were plans for one years ago though I still strongly believe it should be built. As it would become a major attraction for Adelaide/Hills including a observation deck/revolving restaurant about 40 or 50m off the ground which will have 360 degree views over the metropolitan area and the beautiful Piccadilly Valley. It would also replace the current transmission towers for radio and television stations and it would be heavily marketed around SA, Australia and some places around the world.

And to top it off a chair lift from a eastern fringe suburb (say Waterfall Gully) connecting it up with a 250-80m observation tower via Cleland Wildlife Park.

Thats my 'pie in the sky' dream, though there is major potential for something like that even a chairlift.

As for a observation tower in the CBD, Its a no for me. A observation tower in the city would look out of place especially with our current 'tired looking' low rise skyline, limit building heights in the future and I would rather a few 150m+ buildings (one of them including a 360 degree ob deck) which would transform the skyline and give the impression to people that Adelaide is changing.

Plus I am totally against anything that looks like Centerpoint Tower, definitely not a fan.

Forgive me Crawf, but i cannot believe you of all people would make such a statement.
The chairlift idea was proposed years ago, ableit not to a tower as such, but it was non the less proposed and knocked back due to enviromental concerns...no suprises there!

A single iconic development or structure can be the catalyst for a city struggling with an identity. The views from an observation deck, high in the CBD would be tremendous, hills in one direction the sea views the other. Given our flat terain north and south, the eye could see for miles.

The Crown complex in Melbourne can be credited as being the development that, not only brought the Southbank precinct alive, but also Melb CBD. I lived in Melbourne during the time of the temporary casino on the opposing side of the yarra and the opening of the existing complex. It is safe to say the CBD did suffer for a short period of time as the crown complex took the spotlight, but Melb has not looked back since and the CBD is even more vibrant due to it's emphasis on inner city living.

This complex really took Melb to the next level and it's subsequent success, also due to the no nonsense Kennett government, unlike the Rann, don't say know to J-Lo, government....

Our own document shows our CBD skyline has not changed for years, so how do we really expect to show people from interstate and overseas the new Adelaide, when it looks the same old boring city it was years ago.

[crawf]

The only place I would support a observation tower would be Mount Lofty, I know there were plans for one years ago though I still strongly believe it should be built. As it would become a major attraction for Adelaide/Hills including a observation deck/revolving restaurant about 40 or 50m off the ground which will have 360 degree views over the metropolitan area and the beautiful Piccadilly Valley. It would also replace the current transmission towers for radio and television stations and it would be heavily marketed around SA, Australia and some places around the world.

And to top it off a chair lift from a eastern fringe suburb (say Waterfall Gully) connecting it up with a 250-80m observation tower via Cleland Wildlife Park.

Thats my 'pie in the sky' dream, though there is major potential for something like that even a chairlift.

As for a observation tower in the CBD, Its a no for me. A observation tower in the city would look out of place especially with our current 'tired looking' low rise skyline, limit building heights in the future and I would rather a few 150m+ buildings (one of them including a 360 degree ob deck) which would transform the skyline and give the impression to people that Adelaide is changing.

Plus I am totally against anything that looks like Centerpoint Tower, definitely not a fan.

Forgive me Crawf, but i cannot believe you of all people would make such a statement.
The chairlift idea was proposed years ago, ableit not to a tower as such, but it was non the less proposed and knocked back due to enviromental concerns...no suprises there!

A single iconic development or structure can be the catalyst for a city struggling with an identity. The views from an observation deck, high in the CBD would be tremendous, hills in one direction the sea views the other. Given our flat terain north and south, the eye could see for miles.

The Crown complex in Melbourne can be credited as being the development that, not only brought the Southbank precinct alive, but also Melb CBD. I lived in Melbourne during the time of the temporary casino on the opposing side of the yarra and the opening of the existing complex. It is safe to say the CBD did suffer for a short period of time as the crown complex took the spotlight, but Melb has not looked back since and the CBD is even more vibrant due to it's emphasis on inner city living.

This complex really took Melb to the next level and it's subsequent success, also due to the no nonsense Kennett government, unlike the Rann, don't say know to J-Lo, government....

Our own document shows our CBD skyline has not changed for years, so how do we really expect to show people from interstate and overseas the new Adelaide, when it looks the same old boring city it was years ago.

Well thats where 150m+ buildings come into the picture. I'm a bit lost at what crown has to do with this, though yes Crown is awesome and done wonders for Melbourne. However Melbourne is 4 times the size of Adelaide, we already have a casino and we really don't have the demand for such a complex especially with the huge number of restaurant/entertainment/retail precincts around Adelaide.

Going back to the original topic of 'ob towers' in Adelaide - If we are going to have one in Adelaide I would rather it on Mt Lofty (200m) or not at all. I know my idea is controversial, but I just cannot support a city observation tower, prefer a 200m building with a ob deck aswell as other things to boast the CBD for the locals and visitors.

[Queen Anne]

I would not be too keen on a Sydney style observation tower either. But, looking at Howie's pictures, it seems an original approach to the idea could be found? Just so long as we don't end up with anything that screams "me too". I do believe that this structure must be located in the CBD.

Anyway, I am sooo excited to see that this topic is even being discussed, and I could kiss the TTF!! Adelaide is at a crossroads where we simply must be prepared to spend some serious money on those developments which help a city define itself. We are already behind the other states, and they continue to forge ahead - this spending is now not a luxury, it's a necessity. This is a discussion that needs to be had - and had until we get results!!

What struck me especially, in the article, is that Caroline Wilkie says SA has, "outstanding natural tourism assets, it just needs to maximise their potential, beginning with Adelaide" and, "Distinctive tourism attractions would help SA stand out from the crowd."

Speaking of our need for a distinctive tourim attraction, I would say that our most distinctive tourism brand is our wine and food. Great food businesses can be found all over the state. Might be controversial, but could we move the National Wine Centre to the top of our beautiful new building? I don't think our *national* wine centre has been anything like the success it could be - even though (as far as I know) wine and food tourism is a growth area. I even wonder if part of the little vineyard could be put up there, on the observation deck Wine is an extremely important part of our state and we could go a long way if we promoted it to its full extent, I think. The centre's current location, while beautiful, doesn't seem to be ideal.

This development could be a showcase and celebration of all the 'goodlife' things that SA boasts, covering every region. It would also lend itself to the restaurant and retail space Caroline Wilkie says is necessary in the development - the restaurant could showcase the produce (hopefully leaving people wanting more), and tours of the regions could be booked there, local items bought, etc. Such usage would give our iconic building a real reason to exist, and it would greatly strengthen our brand as a food, wine and good-living destination. This is our tourism asset and we should really go for it, I think. The development could serve complementary purposes - as a beautiful, impressive way to enjoy our city and as a taste of what can be found when people go exploring our state.
Lol, I hope you don't all think I'm crazy..I'm just very keen to see SA think big!
Cheers, Caroline

[Howie]

I'm quite surprised hearing no tall towers coming from you also Crawfie. The CBD has been flagging for decades, we really need to step up to the plate and take it up another level.