Project Description

Capitol Grand is a mixed-use development at the corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road in South Yarra, Melbourne. The project consists of two residential towers that rise from a shared two-level podium with retail spaces. Below the podium are five basement levels, with four dedicated to parking and the first basement level combining parking and retail. The towers include the 11-storey CG Tower and the 53-storey LK Tower.

Key features of the project include:

• Two in-situ concrete cores used for the lateral stability of their respective tower.
• Flat plate strong banded post tensioned floors used in the towers and basements with banded post tensioned slabs used in the podiums.
• Construction of infinity pool at level 33.
• The upgrade of the Chapel Street footpath with planters and the new entrance roadway at Almeida Crescent.

Project Challenges

• Construction of the 5-basement deep retention system.
• Using expansion and slip joints during the basement and podium constructions to avoid the cracking of the slabs due to the stiffness of the two cores compared to the slabs.
• Construction of the infinity pool at level 33 and the folds and transfer columns associated with it.
• Initial three cranes for podium construction and then removing these and using another two cranes for the tower construction in a separate location with minimal impact on structure.

Added Value

Robert Bird Group provided significant value to the project by implementing innovative solutions and optimising construction processes:

• Utilising precast shell beams to minimise the time required for erecting and dismantling formwork for the large transfer beams on site.
• Accelerating pour 1 within the basements to create a loading bay, aiding the construction of the other basements and reducing road traffic.
• Offsetting the grillage for cranes to accommodate site constraints.