SkyNeedle in South Brisbane has official sod turning for first stage
Developer Pradella has started construction on the first stage of a $125 million dual tower community centred around the city’s iconic SkyNeedle.CONSTRUCTION on the first stage of South Brisbane’s dual tower $125 million SkyNeedle project has kicked off, centred around the city’s iconic Sky Needle.SkyNeedle, an 88 metre pillar, was a key feature of Brisbane’s World Expo in 1988, and remains a prominent marker on the city skyline.Last Thursday, Pradella director Kim Pradella joined Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to officially launch the start of construction on the first tower, comprising 110 of the total 237 apartments in the project, which will incorporate a refurbished SkyNeedle as part of its design.SkyNeedle in South Brisbane.More from newsMould, age, not enough to stop 17 bidders fighting for this home4 hours agoBuyers ‘crazy’ not to take govt freebies, says 28-yr-old investor4 hours agoPradella has appointed RCC Builders to build SkyNeedle Apartments. The two-stage project will be complete with a cafe at the base of the second tower and a tropical garden oasis with a pool and barbecue terrace for the exclusive use of residents.More than 70 per cent of apartments in the first stage have already sold for a total of $38 million, with remaining one-bedroom apartments priced from $428,000 and two-bedroom abodes available from $544,000.“Brisbane is evolving into a new world city and it’s important that as we usher in this next chapter of growth, we recognise the foundations this fantastic city was built on by preserving monuments of the past, like the SkyNeedle and the old gas and light station,” Mr Pradella said.“SkyNeedle has already attracted strong interest from both owner occupiers and investors not only from Brisbane, but also nationally and internationally, who are ready to be a part of what will undoubtedly be one of Australia’s most unique and identifiable addresses.”Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the SkyNeedle had been a much-loved icon of Brisbane for nearly 30 years and it was exciting to see it returning to its true home in South Brisbane to be restored to its former glory as part of a high-quality residential project.
Barely a day following the resignation of two Unity Party (UP) stalwarts, former Liberia’s Ambassador to United States, Canada and Mexico, Jeremiah C. Sulunteh, has officially quit from the ruling party. Political observers say the recently exodus from the UP is not a good sign for the party as the October elections is just about eight months away. Amb. Sulunteh also served as senior national vice chairman that successfully concluded with the re-election of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.Mr. Harrison S. Karnwea Sr, Managing Director of the Forest Development Authority (FDA) and Dr. Kadiker Rex Dahn tendered in their respective resignation the UP earlier this week, joining Musa Hassan Bility, who joined the opposition Liberty Party (LP) from UP late last year. In his letter of resignation, dated February 15, Sulunteh told UP National Chairman Wilmot Paye that his decision to quit the party is predicated on the need for him to have an independent mind to focus on his future endeavors.“I present sincere greetings and best wishes from my family to you, the executive committee, officials and members of the Unity Party informing you of my decision to disengage with the party effective immediately as of the date,” Sulunteh told Paye.He said political parties are institutions where people gather with a shared vision and common goal, and therefore Sulunteh did not fail to tell his former chairman how well he enjoyed his relationship with the party. “It was a real pleasure to have worked and served over the years and to have been a proud member of the team that elected the leadership of President Sirleaf in two successive elections,” he said.Sulunteh said for the sake of unity in Bong County, and in order to save the soul of the UP, “we have come to withdraw our membership from the party with immediate effect.”He then thanked President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the opportunity to support the party for the past 12 years.He did not reveal his next move, but there have been recent speculations that he is to join ranks with the Alternative National Congress (ANC) as running mate to businessman Alexander Cummings, a report Sulunteh denied.However, political pundits said his departure from the UP stemmed from the party’s failure to elect him as delegate during the July 2016 National Convention in Gbarnga. Sulunteh’s exit from the party will also provide time for the Vice President Joseph Boakai to name his running mate as standard bearer of UP.Sulunteh told journalists in Monrovia yesterday that during his campaign for the position of senior national vice chairman of the UP, he promised to work with other party leaders to ensure the aspirations of the silent majority are addressed.Over the years, however, as in the case of other political institutions, the UP has also experienced lapses in the implementation of its own promises. “When some of us pointed to these lapses and proffered suggestions, we were branded as internal opposition in the party,” Sulunteh added.Meanwhile, many political observers, having learned of Sulunteh’s quitting the UP, have described it as a blow, because for the last eleven years, he has enjoyed a close working relationship with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)