It is the tallest building in Australia, the second tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere,[5] and the third-tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, behind the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand.

[4] The concept was based on studies of wind, movement and tension, in which a series of ribbons wrap concentrically around the tower’s exterior and hover above the entry plaza area, providing cover and shade.

The tension in the movement and free form are expressed by the gradual twisting of the aluminium-clad ribbons as they move around the building.

The result is an open-air galleria-like shopping precinct under the glazed ribbon structure and a curved retail façade to the street edges.

An application to construct a walkway around the outside of level 78 was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in mid-2010.

[8]In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Q1 was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "structure and engineering feat".

[11] Peeling paint which has revealed rusty steel inside and outside, as well as shattered glass panels are amongst the visible concerns.

[13] On 28 March 2007, two BASE jumpers made an early-morning illegal jump from a northern side apartment.