The Skyneedle is a prominent feature of the Brisbane skyline which was constructed specially for World Expo 88.
The Skyneedle during March 2006 and the Merivale St Bridge
The 88 m landmark was earmarked for relocation to Tokyo Disneyland (following the completion of Expo '88). However, hairdresser Stefan Ackerie stepped in and purchased the Skyneedle, which was then relocated to the Stefan HQ at South Brisbane. After purchase, Stefan added his firm's signature rainbow rings logo to the top of the tower.[1]
The Skyneedle's light, which is capable of emitting a beam of light that may be seen 60 kilometres (37 mi) away, is rarely seen except on special occasions, because of safety concerns for flight paths around Brisbane Airport.
On 4 November 2006, the Skyneedle caught fire due to an electrical fault,[2] this incident being the second of its kind after a similar fire had broken out in 1988. Subsequent investigations have found that the fault was most likely caused by bird droppings. Ackerie has stated that it will be restored to its former glory. On 5 November 2006, Ackerie revealed that the Skyneedle will be technologically overhauled with the additional feature of a sound system.
On 14 March 2009, the top 22-metre section of the Skyneedle was removed. Stefan announced that the section was being rebuilt with new laser technology.[3] The Skyneedle, with its new technology, made its debut on Thursday 23 April 2009 but was officially activated on Friday 1 May by Stefan and Channel Nine weatherman Garry Youngberry on the 6pm news. The new lightshow includes an RGB LED display strip from Italy and a powerful set of German-made spotlights.[3] As of 2019 however, the Skyneedle's light system has once again stalled.
In April 2015 Ackerie announced that he was selling the Skyneedle and the surrounding land to Pradella Group who planned to incorporate the tower into a 12-storey residential apartment complex.[4] This development was granted approval by the Brisbane City Council in August 2015 with Lord MayorGraham Quirk announcing that the Skyneedle would be integrated into the development with a café being opened underneath it.[5]
^ abCourier Mail – "Stefan dismantles the top of his Sky Needle"
^Rooney, Kieran (11 April 2015). "Stefan's Expo 88 Sky Needle incorporated in new apartment development". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
^Atfield, Cameron (19 August 2015). "World Expo Skyneedle to get new life in Pradella development". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skyneedle, Brisbane.
skyneedle, brisbane, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, march,. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources The Skyneedle Brisbane news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Skyneedle is a prominent feature of the Brisbane skyline which was constructed specially for World Expo 88 The Skyneedle during March 2006 and the Merivale St Bridge The 88 m landmark was earmarked for relocation to Tokyo Disneyland following the completion of Expo 88 However hairdresser Stefan Ackerie stepped in and purchased the Skyneedle which was then relocated to the Stefan HQ at South Brisbane After purchase Stefan added his firm s signature rainbow rings logo to the top of the tower 1 The Skyneedle s light which is capable of emitting a beam of light that may be seen 60 kilometres 37 mi away is rarely seen except on special occasions because of safety concerns for flight paths around Brisbane Airport On 4 November 2006 the Skyneedle caught fire due to an electrical fault 2 this incident being the second of its kind after a similar fire had broken out in 1988 Subsequent investigations have found that the fault was most likely caused by bird droppings Ackerie has stated that it will be restored to its former glory On 5 November 2006 Ackerie revealed that the Skyneedle will be technologically overhauled with the additional feature of a sound system On 14 March 2009 the top 22 metre section of the Skyneedle was removed Stefan announced that the section was being rebuilt with new laser technology 3 The Skyneedle with its new technology made its debut on Thursday 23 April 2009 but was officially activated on Friday 1 May by Stefan and Channel Nine weatherman Garry Youngberry on the 6pm news The new lightshow includes an RGB LED display strip from Italy and a powerful set of German made spotlights 3 As of 2019 however the Skyneedle s light system has once again stalled In April 2015 Ackerie announced that he was selling the Skyneedle and the surrounding land to Pradella Group who planned to incorporate the tower into a 12 storey residential apartment complex 4 This development was granted approval by the Brisbane City Council in August 2015 with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announcing that the Skyneedle would be integrated into the development with a cafe being opened underneath it 5 Gallery Edit The Skyneedle at World Expo 88 The Skyneedle at World Expo 88 The Skyneedle 2006 The Skyneedle 2014 taken from Edmondstone Street The Skyneedle 2018 During the construction of Skyneedle Apartments References Edit History of the Skyneedle Fire damages top of Stefan Skyneedle ABC News a b Courier Mail Stefan dismantles the top of his Sky Needle Rooney Kieran 11 April 2015 Stefan s Expo 88 Sky Needle incorporated in new apartment development The Courier Mail Retrieved 11 February 2017 Atfield Cameron 19 August 2015 World Expo Skyneedle to get new life in Pradella development Brisbane Times Retrieved 11 February 2017 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skyneedle Brisbane A 100 photo 20th Anniversary of World Expo 88 retrospective on the tower Footage of the fire in 2006 Footage of the new light showCoordinates 27 28 37 34 S 153 00 54 00 E 27 4770389 S 153 0150000 E 27 4770389 153 0150000 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Skyneedle Brisbane amp oldid 1130277695, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
