{{Short description|Landmark tower in Brisbane, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2013}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2010}} thumb|200px|right|The Skyneedle during March 2006 and the Merivale St Bridge
'''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 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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080127200353/http://www.stefan.com.au/history/skyneedle_01.html History of the Skyneedle]</ref>
The Skyneedle's light, which is capable of emitting a beam of light that may be seen {{convert|60|km|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,<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-11-04/fire-damages-top-of-stefan-skyneedle/1301972 "Fire damages top of Stefan Skyneedle", ''ABC News'']</ref> 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.<ref name="courier">[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25190532-3102,00.html 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 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.<ref name="courier" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/stefans-expo-88-sky-needle-incorporated-in-new-apartment-development/news-story/63e58483ac05ae3fe1abf70ee4cb2887?nk=7c266e4fc565995e2d0c91197fedd91e-1486802483|title=Stefan’s Expo 88 Sky Needle incorporated in new apartment development|last=Rooney|first=Kieran|date=11 April 2015|website=The Courier-Mail|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> 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 café being opened underneath it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/world-expo-skyneedle-to-get-new-life-in-pradella-development-20150819-gj2j2s.html|title=World Expo Skyneedle to get new life in Pradella development|last=Atfield|first=Cameron|date=19 August 2015|website=Brisbane Times|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Close-up-of-the-Skyneedle.jpg|The Skyneedle at <br />World Expo 88 File:Expo-88-skyneedle-and-monorail.jpg|The Skyneedle at <br />World Expo 88 File:Skyneedle, Brisbane (2006).jpg|The Skyneedle (2006) File:Skyneedle, Brisbane (2014).jpg|The Skyneedle (2014)<br />(taken from Edmondstone Street) File:Skyneedle July 2018.jpg|The Skyneedle (2018)<br />(During the construction of Skyneedle Apartments) </gallery>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category|Skyneedle, Brisbane}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120320100848/http://www.foundationexpo88.org/TheWorldExpo88ThemeTower19882008Retrospective/ A 100-photo 20th Anniversary of World Expo '88 retrospective on the tower] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgG6kdywRbQ Footage of the fire in 2006] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP0vSZ18_SU Footage of the new light show]
{{coord|27|28|37.34|S|153|00|54.00|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skyneedle, Brisbane}} Category:Buildings and structures in Brisbane Category:Tourist attractions in Brisbane Category:Landmarks in Brisbane Category:World's fair architecture in Brisbane Category:Towers completed in 1988 Category:World Expo 88 Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Australia Category:1988 establishments in Australia