LOFTY EXPECTATIONS AS HOTEL PENTHOUSE APARTMENTS OPEN

ONE of the Hobart CBD’ s newest hotel accommodation offerings has come online as Tasmania prepares to again welcome visitors from Victoria.

Hobart City Apartments on Elizabeth St was officially opened on Thursday with the launch of eight penthouse apartments.

Their completion comes after the opening of 72 studio apartments earlier in the year.

The project supported dozens of construction jobs along with employment for hotel staff.

The building at 80 Elizabeth St— which was formerly the State Revenue Office—was bought for $11million in 2016—at that time the highest price paid for an office building in Hobart since the R BF bought 144 Macquarie St for about $12millionin2012.

Hobart entrepreneur and project developer Kai Yang celebrated the opening alongside dignitaries including Premier Peter Gut we in, Attorney-General Eli se Archer and Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds.

Hobart City Apartments assistant manager Tom Allies aid the conversion from public offices to studio apartments had taken place over the past 12 months.

“The latest addition is, as far as we know, Hobart’ s only mezzanine penthouse level, consisting of two and three-bedroom, high-ceiling, New York-style loft apartments ,’’ he said.

Mr Allies aid the opening of state borders had provided a boost to the business, with strong bookings from Victorians ahead of Tasmania re opening to that state on Friday.

The availability of an increasing number of direct flight routes to other Australian cities had also led to more bookings, he said.