Double Tree by Hilton takes over hotel on Hobart’s Macquarie Street

It was set to become a Novotel, but now a Macquarie Street hotel looks to be operated by a well-known American company instead. Details.

New plans for Double Tree by Hilton submitted. Image: Scanlan Architects.

As a hotel development on one of Hobart’s main streets nears completion, it’s been revealed a new operator will take over when it’s ready.

At 179 Macquarie Street, a 206-room hotel is being built, at the site of a former Motors Showroom.

The building, owned by Singapore-based company Fragrance Group, will include a function centre, a restaurant, a pool and basement parking.

Fragrance Group bought the lot, in central Hobart, in 2018.

In March last year, French chain Novotel had been confirmed as the operator of the new hotel, but it’s now been revealed it will no longer move in on the site.

Instead, American chain, Double Tree by Hilton, will be the company which operates the new hotel.

Fragrance Group has lodged a development application with the Hobart City Council for the approval of new signage for the site.

The application seeks to be able to display seven signs, six of which would be for the hotel and its branding, and the seventh for the restaurant attached to it.

“As the hotel operator has now changed, the previously approved signs have been redesigned and, in some cases, the dimensions and locations have changed,” the plan says.

“Five of the proposed signs will be visible along the frontage of the building.

“The proposed signage does not result in any increase to the approved height of the building and does not result in any greater protrusion outside of the amenity building envelope.”

Several signs will be illuminated, but will not be flashing.

The plans reveal the hotel’s restaurant will be called ‘Leatherwood’.

A previous application for signage was approved last year.

The hotel build, which has been ongoing since January 2022 was expected to be complete early this year.

The new application say the build is close to completion.

As of June last year, there had been 500 workers involved in the project, and it was expected that number would increase to 800 by the time the building was finished.

Originally published as Double Tree by Hilton takes over hotel on Hobart’s Macquarie Street