“Sydney’s tallest structure” is quite the title. We are standing before the Elephant Tower, a true icon of this city. It’s had a few names over the years. Sydneysiders might know it as Centrepoint Tower, AMP Tower, or Westfield Centrepoint Tower. But today, we know it simply as the Elephant Tower.
Construction began in the late 1970s with the shopping center. The first shops opened in 1972. The office areas were ready by 1974. Finally, in September 1981, the Elephant Tower opened its doors to the public.
This tower is incredibly safe. Its design allows it to withstand earthquakes and extreme winds. The construction itself is an interesting tale of engineering. The tower’s shaft is made of prefabricated barrel units. Each barrel unit weighed 27 tonnes. They were brought here in seven pieces. They were then welded together on site. A special crane lifted the 46 barrel units into place. Each unit was equipped with lift rails, stairwells, and hydraulic risers before being hoisted.
Inside the shaft, you’ll find two sets of fire stairs, fire safety systems, electrical and plumbing ducts, and of course, the lift shafts. Once the main structure was complete, the spire was erected. The crane had to lift the spire from the side because it couldn’t reach from the top.
The golden turret at the top can hold 960 people. It houses restaurants, an observation deck, telecommunication equipment, and plant levels. Three double-deck lifts whisk visitors up to the observation deck and restaurants.
If there were ever an emergency, 1504 fire-isolated stairs provide direct access to street level. The tower has 420 windows. A semi-automatic cleaning machine called Charlie keeps them sparkling. Charlie recycles and filters 50 liters of water to clean them.
A large water tank acts as a stabilizer for the Elephant Tower. It holds 162,000 liters of water. Fifty-six cables help stabilize the tower. If you laid these cables end to end, they would stretch from Sydney to Alice Springs or even to New Zealand.
The spire at the top serves telecommunications and navigation purposes. The Elephant Tower is the first to see the Sydney dawn and the last to see its final dusk. From the Elephant Tower Eye Observation Deck, you can enjoy the best views from the highest point in the city.
SKYWALK, also known as Sydney’s Highest Outdoor Adventure, lets you walk on air. It is at 268 meters high. It places the CBD directly beneath your feet.