Office block chop

DEMOLITION work has begun to flatten a landmark 20th century Hobart building.

An excavator was hoisted to the top of 10 Murray St this week and has started demolishing the 14-storey concrete building floor by floor.

Flattening the former state office block is part of the redevelopment of Parliament Square in Salamanca, which will include a public plaza and luxury hotel. It is the largest demolition in the state’s history.

Site construction manager Barney Phillips said about 15,000 tonnes of concrete would be crushed and recycled by contractor Hazell Bros over the next few months.

Concrete cutters are on top of the 47m building and materials are being assessed for recycling potential as the demolition is carried out.

Mr Phillips said the lifts had been removed and the lift shaft now formed an internal chute for the removal of the demolished material. Scaffolding was being erected around the perimeter of the concrete frame, which would be progressively removed as the building reduces in height.