Dubai has the Burj Khalifa (and the Armani Hotel inside). London has the Shard (and soon-to-open Shangri-La Hotel). Up next: Melbourne will get its very own gravity-defying skyscraper complete with an ultra-luxury hotel. Plans have recently been approved for a 1200-foot tower, reports The Telegraph, which will be the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
Situated on Southbank Boulevard near the Yarra River, the Australia 108 Tower will be home to a “six-star hotel” with 288 guest rooms, two restaurants, and two lounges with glass floors that afford glimpses all the way down to the ground level. The Star Bar will be perched near the very top of the tower. Making the most of its sky-high location, the hotel will also have a Sky Lobby that occupies two storeys, and an observation lounge with stunning views over Melbourne. The skyscraper is slated for completion in 2018.