If we ever cast our gaze beyond the GTA or Canada, it’s for cool looking buildings in exotic locales.

Australia 108 is a new high-rise in the Southbank precinct of Melbourne by developers Fender Katsalidis Architects. Calling Australia 108 a high-rise doesn’t really do it justice. The recently approved tower is scheduled to rise 108 storeys (over 1,200 feet). Once completed, it will be the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Australia 108 breakdown

Obviously, a 108-storey tower will have a few sections to it. The 11-storey podium is where the tower’s 600 parking spaces will be located. From there, floors 13 through 81 will feature the  building’s condominium suites, just over 600 in total. Above the condominium spaces will be a 288-room hotel and a top floor restaurant.

Australia 108 designed by Nonda Katsalidis

"I think it's going to be spectacular," Nonda Katsalidis mentioned in a recent radio interview. "The hotel at the top is designed as a starburst. We took the inspiration from the stars on the Australian flag. It's designed to be eye-catching, complex and complementary with Eureka to give an identity to the city internationally.”

We actually really like it, too. It looks like your basic modern-contemporary design, but then that star portion just pops out so much. If the rest of the tower wasn’t so ordinary, then that one aspect of it wouldn’t make such a strong impact.

Construction of Australia 108

Construction of the supertall is expected to commence in 2014, and it will take three to four years to complete. Not only will Australia 108 be the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the only building to have over 100 floors!

What are you thoughts on this design? Would it work in Toronto?

Comment below.