One Park Lane: Australia’s Future Tallest Skyscraper Redefining the Gold Coast Skyline
The Gold Coast is preparing to host a bold new landmark: One Park Lane, a mixed-use development envisioned by BKK Architects and Cottee Parker. If approved and built, the project will rise nearly 400 meters, surpassing the current tallest building in Australia, the Q1 Tower, and setting a new precedent for urban development in the country. Comprising two towers connected by a sculptural podium and a glass sky bridge, One Park Lane is more than a skyscraper; it is a response to housing needs, urban growth, and architectural ambition.
Developed by Baracon in collaboration with Tony Goss, the proposal features a 101-storey residential tower and a 60-storey commercial tower. Together, they anchor themselves within the Southport district, a part of the city undergoing rapid transformation. The towers promise to bring new housing options, premium commercial space, and resort-style amenities to residents and visitors. But beyond its scale, the project speaks to deeper architectural questions: how can high-rise buildings mediate between density, livability, and identity in rapidly growing urban centers?
This article examines the architectural logic, material choices, program distribution, and cultural significance of One Park Lane, situating it within broader discussions on urban development, sustainability, and future-oriented design.
Program Distribution
The One Park Lane project combines residential, commercial, and public functions. This integration makes it a model of vertical mixed-use development, addressing both private and civic needs within a single architectural ensemble. The taller residential tower prioritizes housing and lifestyle amenities, while the shorter tower focuses on commercial infrastructure.
| Program | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Apartments | 176 units, including luxury residences, sub-penthouses, and a three-storey penthouse | 101-storey tower |
| Commercial Offices | 11,500 square meters of premium office space | 60-storey tower |
| Resort Amenities | Swimming pools, wellness centers, communal lounges, dining areas | Residential tower podium and upper levels |
| Public Realm | Sculptural podium with retail, hospitality, and cultural offerings | Street-level podium |
| Sky Bridge | Curved glass bridge offering panoramic city views | 22nd floor, connecting both towers |
Materiality and Design Expression
One Park Lane adopts a design language of reflective surfaces, curvilinear forms, and expansive glazing. The podium is expressed as a sculptural mass with large arches, creating permeability and engagement with the surrounding street level. Above, the towers are defined by smooth glass façades punctuated by terraces, establishing a rhythm that softens their monumental height.
| Material | Application | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Glazing Systems | Tower façades and sky bridge | Transparency, daylight optimization, panoramic city views |
| Reflective Cladding | Podium surface treatment | Creates sculptural identity, integrates with urban fabric |
| Concrete Structure | Core and base podium | Structural stability for supertall construction |
| Stone Paving | Public realm and streetscape integration | Durability and tactile quality, grounding the project |
Architectural Analysis
Architecturally, One Park Lane demonstrates how a supertall building can serve multiple roles simultaneously: a housing provider, an office hub, and a cultural landmark. Its podium establishes a civic presence, with arches opening to the street as invitations to public life. The towers above are distinct yet visually related, connected by a glass bridge that functions both as infrastructure and urban spectacle.
The curved geometry is a critical design move. Unlike rectilinear towers that emphasize rigidity, the softened forms of One Park Lane suggest movement and adaptability. This resonates with the Gold Coast identity as a coastal city defined by natural curves of shoreline and waves. At the same time, the reflective façade ensures the towers become part of the changing sky, embedding them into the city’s natural and cultural atmosphere.
Project Importance
The project’s importance lies not only in its scale but also in its typological contribution. By combining residential and commercial towers with shared infrastructure, One Park Lane offers a model for future mixed-use supertall projects in Australia. It demonstrates that height can coexist with livability, provided that the design prioritizes both private comfort and public engagement.
For architects, the project raises essential questions about the future of high-rise living: how can towers address housing shortages while remaining humane and community-oriented? For urban planners, it illustrates how tall buildings can be catalysts for economic and cultural growth. As global cities face density pressures, the lessons from One Park Lane extend beyond the Gold Coast, contributing to ongoing debates about the future of vertical urbanism.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
One Park Lane presents a striking vision: two curving towers connected by a sculptural podium and glass sky bridge, reflecting the sky while anchoring the street. The reflective cladding and expansive glazing create a dynamic spatial composition that engages both skyline and ground level. Yet the question remains whether such monumental verticality can balance civic openness with exclusivity. The podium invites public interaction, but the towers primarily serve private residents and businesses. Still, the project sets a direction for integrating housing, commerce, and cultural spaces within one vertical system, offering valuable lessons for future tall building design.
Conclusion
One Park Lane is poised to redefine the architectural and urban identity of the Gold Coast. With its dual towers, sculptural podium, and ambitious height, it marks a bold step in Australia’s skyscraper history. But beyond records, its architectural strategies—curved façades, integrated programs, and public engagement—illustrate a thoughtful approach to high-rise living. For Australia, it is a chance to embrace a new typology that blends density with livability, ambition with responsibility.
As the project advances through planning, its ultimate success will depend not only on engineering and construction but also on its ability to serve the community and city around it. If realized as envisioned, One Park Lane will stand as both a national icon and a laboratory for architectural innovation, contributing to broader global discussions on the future of urban verticality.
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