Glass factory reborn

Warehouse converted to luxury units

A MODERN apartment block converted from a 1970s warehouse has been described as a project which could pave the way for future Hobart housing developments.

The recently completed Argyle St Batch House — named after the site’s historical glass production — is fitted with 12 two-bedroom apartments built within the parameters of the building’s existing walls.

The project, which was rezoned for residential development, saw each $700,000 apartment sold off the plan when project design work started three years ago.

Project architect Mark Drury said he recognised the site’s residential potential several years ago and said the development focused on recycling materials from the original building.

“There was a conscious effort made to minimise the development’s carbon footprint through recycling materials such as steel and bricks. There was minimal materials taken to the tip,” he said.

“Eleven of the 12 apartments were sold to Tasmanian buyers, and we decided to put a clause on the development not allowing apartments to be used as short-stay accommodation.

“This was about prioritising Tasmanian residency.”

Mr Drury said the apartments were built with an automated fire-protection system.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Batch House was “the type of project I’d love to see more of in the city of Hobart”.

“One of the particularly appealing things about this project is that it is the reuse of an existing building, so rather than knocking down and reconstructing buildings, there’s a lot to be said for the environment about the reuse of existing buildings,” she said.

“This serves as a really good example in terms of reusing buildings that have had an important life as an industrial building, but now it just makes more sense to turn them into residential medium-density living.”

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the State Government would “continue to think outside the box on future developments that can be enacted quickly”.

“The Government is already acting in this space to increase social housing stock or homelessness support options around the state, with examples including the conversion of the Waratah Hotel into a supported accommodation facility,” he said.