Fragrance’s new bid on the block
DETAILS and artists’ impressions of the Fragrance Group’s latest proposed Hobart development have been revealed for the first time.
The Mercury reported in October the Singaporean developer had lodged a development application with the Hobart City Council for the former site of the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music, on Sandy Bay Rd.
While most of Fragrance’s Tasmanian proposals have been for commercial developments, including the completed Ibis Styles hotel, this proposed development is for 55 residential apartments plus a ground floor cafe, parking for 88 cars, a communal pool and gym.
Designed by Perth-based Scanlan Architects, the complex would be made up of two main structures connecting by a podium.
The tallest section would be 10 levels, with a maximum height of about 33m, while the second structure would be seven storeys and about 22m high.
The existing 22m high building would be demolished except for the heritagelisted ABC mural wall, which would be retained in the new complex. The new development would contain two levels of basement carparking and a range of 2-3 bedroom apartments, as well as a fourbedroom penthouse on level nine.
The planning and urban design report by local company Ireneinc and Smith Street Studio noted the variation in form and appearance of the proposed building would fit the context of the surrounding existing buildings.
“Although the building exceeds the permitted building height in the zone, the design of the building into two separated structural elements above a shared podium allows for a clearly identifiable transition in height between adjoining buildings to the east along Sandy Bay Road and larger buildings to the west,” the report states.
Overlooking St David’s Park and near to the Welcome Stranger Hotel, Fragrance
added the site to its portfolio of prime Hobart real estate in May 2017 — buying the property for $13.3 million, according to Corelogic RP Data records.
The site includes the main conservatorium building (formerly home to ABC TV), a warehouse, three brick buildings on Heathfield Ave, three heritage-listed conjoined cottages on Wilmot St and a communications tower.
UTAS had been leasing the conservatorium from the developer before it moved operations to the new Hedberg performing arts centre near the Theatre Royal earlier this year.
The Fragrance application is open for public comment until April 27.