CBD unit project vows to retain heritage feel

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Urban Affairs Reporter

JESSICA HOWARD

A RESIDENTIAL project valued at $10m and located three doors from the site of a recently rejected redevelopment proposal would provide a mix of apartments and student accommodation in inner Hobart.

A development application has been submitted to the Hobart City Council for demolition of the existing building at 63 Davey St and construction of a new building, which would house 21 student apartments plus a further 30 residential apartments as well as 42 car spaces.

The project is designed by local firm JAWS Architects, and Ireneinc Planning and Urban Design have submitted the planning report on behalf of developers Tellyros Klonis Unit Trust.

The $9.8m proposal is for the site of the former Hobart Navy Club, which is used as furniture storage and is next door to the St Helens Private Hospital.

It is three doors down from the Welcome Stranger Hotel, which was the site of a proposed $30m redevelopment last year that was knocked back by the council on heritage grounds — a decision that was backed by the state’s planning tribunal.

The planning report for the Tellyros Klonis Unit Trust’s development said the original proposal had been through a number of design reviews that had been discussed with the council’s planning and heritage officers and its Urban Design Advisory Panel.

“As a result of these discussions and the recent tribunal ruling in regard to the proposal at 58 Harrington St (the site of the Welcome Stranger Hotel), the proposal has been revised,” the report says.

The lower podium of the building would be just three storeys high, with the rear part of the building rising to 35m at its highest point, set back off the street.

“The setback of the larger form from the street provides a substantial distinction from the streetscape, reducing the overall prominence of the building when experienced from street level, where the primary facade becomes the defining image of the development,” the report says.

“The proposed building does not unreasonably dominate the heritage precinct as the larger form is respectfully setback from the streetscape, allowing the dominant 2-3 storey heritage facades to remain as the defining feature.

“The relationship the building has to the street frontage has been given a considerable degree of attention to ensure that urban design cues are taken from the historic values of the neighbouring buildings.

“The facade will fill the existing void within the streetscape with high-quality finishes and contemporary design that integrates with the existing form of the street.”

The application says the development would contribute to the vibrancy of the city “by providing for 24-hour presence” and “bring substantial social and economic benefits to the CBD by providing much-needed residential apartments and studio/serviced apartments.”

Public comment on the project closes on September 4.