New hotel will enhance North Hobart heritage: Fragrance Group

THE developer of a controversial hotel project for North Hobart has hit back at opponents.

Artist impression of Fragrance Group hotel perspective as seen from Elizabeth Street. SUPPLIED

DEVELOPER Fragrance Group says its North Hobart hotel and residential proposal respects and could enhance the area’s heritage.

The Sunday Tasmanian revealed the Singapore-based firm has applied to build 12- and 13-storey towers in Elizabeth St near the corner of Warwick St.

The new buildings would house a 214-room hotel and 91 apartments, as well as underground parking for nearly 200 cars.

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The $80 million development, currently open for comment, is being opposed by conservationists and the community group Hobart Not Highrise.

But Fragrance says the buildings have been designed to complement the surrounding heritage precinct.

“The building has been designed to respect the local heritage and community sentiment, while ensuring its commercial viability and sustainability,” a statement said.

“It represents an extremely good outcome for a building that could have been lost to decay and now has the potential to become a valuable asset for Hobart and the community.

“The development will respect and may even enhance the appreciation of the adjoining public park.”

The buildings would be set back from Elizabeth St with traffic entering from the rear, the company said.

“Importantly, the design retains the heritage ‘Kelso terrace’ retail frontage and this has received support from the Tasmanian Heritage Council.”

The development application has been referred to the Environment Protection Authority because of the amount of excavation that will be required.

Fragrance said the development would provide jobs and help address Hobart’s accommodation crisis.

“The development will provide much-needed housing in central Hobart and will help address the current shortfall in visitor accommodation in Hobart,” the statement said.

“In turn, this will foster the positive growth of Tasmania’s burgeoning tourism industry.”

Fragrance controversially proposed two skyscrapers for Hobart last year but has since backed away from a 20m waterfront hotel and reduced the height of a Collins St development to 50m.

Public comment will be invited soon on the redesigned 256-room hotel in Collins St, the developer said.

“Both proposed buildings (Collins and Elizabeth Sts) will be no taller than a number of existing and approved buildings in Hobart,” it said.

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