Governor Phillip Tower facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor Phillip Tower
General information
Type	Commercial skyscraper
Location	Central business district, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Construction started	1990
Completed	1993
Owner	Dexus (50%) GPT (25%) Australian Prime Property Fund
Height
Architectural	227 metres (745 ft) (official height)
Antenna spire	254 metres (833 ft) (unofficial height)
Technical details
Floor count	62
Floor area	55,000 square metres (590,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Denton Corker Marshall
Structural engineer	Ove Arup Partners
Main contractor	Grocon Constructors Pty Ltd

The Governor Phillip Tower is a very tall building in Sydney, Australia. It's part of a big group of buildings that also includes the Governor Macquarie Tower and the Museum of Sydney. This whole area is important because it's where the first Government House in Australia once stood. The buildings were finished in 1994. They are known for their high-quality design.

The complex is located in the north-east part of Sydney's central business district. It was designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall. The construction was done by Grocon, which was Australia's biggest private construction company at the time.

A Look Back at History

The story of this site began in 1788. That's when the British First Fleet arrived in Australia. They built the First Government House here. It was the very first important building in Australia. This house was on a high spot overlooking Sydney Cove. It was the center of the government for about 60 years. The house was taken down in 1845. But its old foundations are still there and are now protected. This site is one of Australia's most important historical places. It is even on the National Heritage List.

For 50 years, the northern part of the site was empty. People started to complain about this empty space. It was in the middle of Sydney's important finance area. In 1982, a plan was approved to build a tall office building. But in 1983, workers found parts of the old First Government House foundations.

At that time, people in Australia were becoming more aware of their nation's history. So, building a tall office building right on top of this important historical site caused a lot of disagreement.

The Government of New South Wales found a solution. They moved the allowed building space from the historical site to the area right behind it. A developer named Sid Londish helped put the whole site together. This made the project possible. The final site covers a whole block. It is bordered by Bridge, Bent, Phillip, and Young Streets.

The Buildings and Plaza

The complex has five main parts:

• Governor Phillip Tower
• Governor Macquarie Tower
• First Government House Plaza
• The Museum of Sydney
• Two rows of old houses turned into small offices

Governor Phillip Tower

The Governor Phillip Tower is the tallest building on the site. It starts 10 floors above street level. It sits on a large base that is covered in sandstone. This design helps give great views from all floors. The outside of the building is made of grey granite and glass. The top of the building has steel features that some people call the milk-crate.

The tower is 227 metres (745 ft) tall to its roof. This makes it one of the tallest buildings in Sydney. If you measure to the tip of its antenna, it is 254 metres (833 ft) tall. However, antennas are not usually counted in official building heights. From many parts of Sydney Harbour, it looks like the tallest building in the city. But this is just how it looks from a distance.

Governor Macquarie Tower

The Governor Macquarie Tower is 41 storeys tall. It is next to the Governor Phillip Tower. It has a similar outside look but a different shape. It does not have the dramatic roof structure of its taller neighbor. The main tenant in this tower is the New South Wales Government, including the Premier's Office.

The main entrance for both towers is from Farrer Place. They share a very grand entrance area. This area connects the two buildings and also has another entrance from Phillip Street.

First Government House and Museum of Sydney

The First Government House Plaza is an open public space. It is part of the Museum of Sydney. This plaza is located at the Bridge Street end of the site. Its design is simple and aims to remind people of the site's past. Most of the old First Government House remains are covered by paving stones. However, some stones can be removed. Then, you can see the remains through a glass pyramid. The shape of the original building is shown by the pattern in the paving.

Public Opinion

Some people have criticized the complex. They say the main tower is too big, especially at street level. They also think the two towers don't look well connected.

However, many people believe the museum and plaza are the best parts of the development. Even though the tower's size has been questioned, it is widely seen as a very high-quality project. An architectural critic named Francesca Morrison said it was "one of the most interesting and important building developments that Sydney has seen."

In Popular Culture

The Governor Phillip Tower was shown in the movie Mission: Impossible 2 (2000). In the film, it was the main office for a made-up company called BioCyte.

Gallery

• 

  Governor Phillip Tower (second from the right) and the AMP Centre, Aurora Place and Chifley Tower

• 

  Governor Phillip Tower and Governor Macquarie Tower

• 

  Main entrance to the Museum of Sydney. Note the outline of the First Government House foundations built into the pavement.

See also

In Spanish: Governor Phillip Tower para niños