Perth’s New Hybrid Timber Tower Approved

In a significant move for Australia’s construction landscape, Melbourne developer James Dibble’s Grange Development has been granted the green light to construct the world’s tallest hybrid timber tower. The project, known as the C6 apartment building, will stand tall in South Perth, having earned the approval of Western Australia’s Joint Development Assessment Panel.

Destined for 6 Charles Street, a stone’s throw from the Perth Zoo, the impressive 50-storey tower, measuring 191.2 metres, is the brainchild of the architectural prowess of Elenberg Fraser. This new addition to Perth’s skyline will eclipse Atlassian’s Sydney-based hybrid timber tower which, once finalised in 2025, will stand at 180 metres. The construction timeline for the C6 remains under wraps.

To put this in perspective, the globe’s tallest timber structure to date is Mjøstårnet, situated in Brumunddal, Norway. This mixed-use tower comprises 18 floors and stands at a height of 85.4 metres, constructed entirely of timber.

With an estimated value of $350 million upon completion, this Grange Development marvel will also stand as one of Australia’s inaugural carbon negative residential structures. This signifies that the edifice will have the capability to capture more carbon through elements such as timber and plants than it produces.

The C6 is set to incorporate a staggering 7400 cubic metres of mass timber, amounting to over 40% of the total structure combined with materials like concrete and steel. This will effectively sequester an equivalent of 10.5 million kilograms of carbon dioxide during the construction phase, analogous to 4885 economy seats on flights traversing Perth to London.

Dibble emphasised the sustainable vision behind this venture, stating that the timber essential for the building could be regrown in under an hour from a mere 600 sustainably harvested trees. Highlighting the sustainability contrast with conventional materials, he pointed out, “We can’t grow concrete.”

The C6 is not just an architectural marvel, but also a haven for residents, boasting 237 apartments. It offers an expansive 3500 square metres dedicated to edible, floral, and native gardens. Additionally, every apartment will benefit from 18 square metres of communal space, all powered by renewable energy sources. In a nod to sustainability and modern luxury, residents will have the privilege of access to 80 self-driving Tesla cars.

Dibble expressed concern over the construction industry’s current trajectory, noting that “The built environment accounts for 39 per cent of global emissions, and our industry is perilously lagging in innovation to address this global challenge.” He envisions the C6 as a catalyst for change, emphasising a climate-centric approach to urban development.

Although specific pricing details remain undisclosed, a spokesperson for Grange Development hinted at the potential launch of apartment pre-sales towards the latter half of the upcoming year.

It’s worth acknowledging that industry stalwart Lendlease has pioneered timber construction in Australia over recent years. Their accomplishments range from timber structures at Barangaroo, NSW and Melbourne’s Docklands to an ambitious venture into manufacturing cross-laminated timber in Sydney.

This forthcoming C6 tower undeniably marks a progressive stride in Australia’s construction narrative, perfectly melding sustainability with modern design.