Beer garden plan for CBD offices

A PROPOSAL to convert office space into a new bar and beer garden in central Hobart has been put forward to council, while a former travel agency would become an Asian takeaway store.

A development application has been lodged with Hobart City Council for partial demolition, alterations, extension, signage and change of use to hotel industry for the two-storey building at 35 Melville St, known as Melville House Business Centre.

The $250,000 project has been put forward by applicants JSA Consulting Engineers on behalf of Huntingfield-based owners SJM Property Developments.

Located close to university student accommodation properties, the office spaces would be converted into a public lounge and garden bar.

Planning documents show features including a commercial kitchen, raised booths and a VIP booth.

A new deck would be constructed over the existing front veranda for an outdoor extension of the public bar/ lounge area.

The beer garden area would be at the back of the building, with an external servery from the kitchen area.

The proposed operating hours for the lounge would be 5pm to midnight, Monday to Thursday, and 1pm to midnight from Friday to Sunday.

The garden bar would be open from 10am to midnight, Monday to Thursday, and 11am to midnight on Friday through Sunday.

A statement of archaeological potential and a heritage impact statement found the land was owned in 1838 by William Beachcroft and the first building on the site was constructed in the 1840s. An existing stone wall at the property also dates back to the 1840s.

“The stone wall is the main feature of significance on the site and all necessary precautions should be taken to ensure that the integrity of the wall is not compromised by the development proposal,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, an application submitted for partial demolition, alterations, and partial change of use to general retail and hire, and food services for 42 Argyle Street has also been submitted.

Part of the Wellington Centre, the former Helloworld travel agency tenancy would be converted into an Asian takeaway food store, with a section for retail and also a phone store.

Public comment closes on both applications on February 2.