Tall & Urban News

Geocon has topped out two high-density living towers which may enter record books as the tallest buildings in Canberra.

The High Society towers at 100 meters and 113 meters in Belconnen take over from the previous tallest tower, the 93-meter Lovett Tower, which was built in 1973.

Once complete, the 27- and 28-story buildings will feature 541 apartments, from student accommodation to penthouses as part of Geocon’s AUD$700 million (US$501 million) Republic Precinct.

There are five towers planned for the 1.6-hectare site overlooking Lake Ginninderra including a total of 1,300 apartments, a 130 room hotel, retail, and public space.

These apartments are likely to add to the Canberra rental market which is still the most expensive place to rent a house and second most expensive place to rent a unit in the country.

Geocon managing director Nick Georgalis said the towers designed by Fender Katsalidis were the pinnacle of the Republic Precinct.

“Through the challenges of the last seven or eight months the Republic Precinct stands out as an example of outstanding planning, hard work and determination,” Georgalis said.

High Society is primarily made up of one- and two-bedroom apartments with the higher floors reserved for three bedroom apartments and six high end penthouses.

Its two towers should have their crowns in place before September 2020 while internal fit outs and completion of amenities like the gym, infinity pool, children’s room and private wine cellar continue.

In the Republic Precinct the Dusk and Republic buildings have already been finished and once High Society are complete work should commence on Nightfall.

Geocon has seven of Canberra’s top-10 tallest residential structures including the Grand Central Towers, Wayfarer and Infinity towers.

The country's fourth largest residential developer also purchased a 7,640 square meter site in Canberra Central for AUD$24 million (US$17 million) in June 2020.

For more on this story, go to The Urban Developer.