The Skyneedle is a prominent feature of the Brisbane skyline which was constructed specially for World Expo 88. The 88 m landmark was earmarked for relocation to Tokyo Disneyland (following the completion of Expo '88). However, hairdresser

Stefan Ackerie Stefan Ackerie (born 1941), usually known by the mononym Stefan, is a businessman who owns a chain of hairdressing salons in Brisbane, Australia. Early life He was born in 1941 in Batroun, Lebanon. His family migrated when he was 15 to Adelaide, ...

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. The Skyneedle's light, which is capable of emitting a beam of light that may be seen away, is rarely seen except on special occasions, because of safety concerns for flight paths around

Brisbane Airport Brisbane Airport is the primary international airport serving Brisbane and South East Queensland. The airport services 31 airlines flying to 50 domestic and 29 international destinations, in total amounting to more than 22.7 million passeng ...

. On 4 November 2006, the Skyneedle caught fire due to an electrical fault, 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.Courier Mail – "Stefan dismantles the top of his Sky Needle"
/ref> 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 Weatherman or Weather man may refer to: Professions or roles * Weatherman, a member of Weather Underground, an American left-wing organization active 1969–1977 * Weather forecaster, a scientist who forecasts the weather * Weather presenter, ...

Garry Youngberry on the 6pm news. The new lightshow includes an RGB

LED A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...

display strip from Italy and a powerful set of German-made spotlights. 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. This development was granted approval by the Brisbane City Council in August 2015 with Lord Mayor

Graham Quirk Graham Quirk (born c. 1958) is a former Australian politician who served as the 16th Lord Mayor of Brisbane. From 2008 until 2011, he was Deputy Lord Mayor under Campbell Newman, succeeding the latter when Newman became the Premier of Queensla ...

announcing that the Skyneedle would be integrated into the development with a café being opened underneath it.

Gallery

File:Close-up-of-the-Skyneedle.jpg, The Skyneedle at
World Expo 88 File:Expo-88-skyneedle-and-monorail.jpg, The Skyneedle at
World Expo 88 File:Skyneedle, Brisbane (2006).jpg, The Skyneedle (2006) File:Skyneedle, Brisbane (2014).jpg, The Skyneedle (2014)
(taken from Edmondstone Street) File:Skyneedle July 2018.jpg, The Skyneedle (2018)
(During the construction of Skyneedle Apartments)

References

External links

A 100-photo 20th Anniversary of World Expo '88 retrospective on the towerFootage of the fire in 2006Footage of the new light show
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skyneedle, Brisbane Buildings and structures in Brisbane Tourist attractions in Brisbane Landmarks in Brisbane World's fair architecture in Brisbane Buildings and structures completed in 1988 Relocated buildings and structures World Expo 88 Relocated buildings and structures in Australia