Popular Hobart waterfront site set to transform in $8M development

A multimillion-dollar redevelopment of a popular site will create an “iconic” food and drinks hub for Hobart’s waterfront, also creating 100 jobs to boost the economy. GET A SNEAK PEEK OF THE PLANS + MENU >>

An artists impression of the redevelopment of the O Bar building, featuring a wood-fired pizza oven. Designs: Paul Kelly Design

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AN OYSTER bar, a wood-fired pizza oven and a 250-seat function room are part of plans for a major transformation of one of Hobart’s top waterfront sites.

Located at 1 Murray St Pier, the building which housed Blue Skies restaurant, political offices, and recently the Observatory nightclub, is set to be converted into a waterfront hub with a large ground floor restaurant and bar and an upstairs private function centre.

Owned by Observatory parent company Pub Banc, “full interior demolition” works were set to start on the site in March, before the pandemic halted progress.

The new multipurpose venue will be named Franklin Wharf.

New Franklin Wharf restaurant and function room development for Murray Street Pier.

Pub Banc operations manager Joe Zucco said the $8 million development had been in the pipeline for five years with a vision to create “an iconic waterfront venue”.

“It is the missing link on Hobart’s waterfront to entertain local guests and entice mainland visitors to the area,” he said.

“We anticipate the venue being a real drawcard for interstate visitors down to the waterfront and the whole waterfront should benefit from the tourist traffic it will bring.”

$8 million revamp for Hobart nightclub

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Mr Zucco said the restaurant plans to cater for “literally every dietary requirement” with food offerings to include seafood, steaks, burgers and sushi.

An oyster bar and a wood-fired pizza oven are included in the plans while talks are also underway to include an ice cream parlour.

“We have been working with [well-known Tasmanian chef] Ollie Mellers as a consultant for 18 months in designing food concepts to cater for all cuisine cravings and dietary requirements with an emphasis on premium Tasmanian produce,” he said.

“We’re not looking at fine dining or fast food, just simply the best quality food you can buy but at a really attractive and reasonable price.

“Having worked full time on the project for over five years there are very few restaurants and bars that have had this many man hours put into the thought of every aspect of its functionality, atmosphere and aesthetics.”

Pub Banc operations manager Joe Zucco (right) pictured with Ian Vaughan at Oberservatory Bar. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mr Zucco said once complete, the development – to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week – should create about 100 jobs.

He said gone were the days of the site’s early morning closing hours, with the bar to operate no later than 2am.

Construction works on the site, including a full exterior recladding, likely won’t begin until all social distancing measures in Tasmania ease, Mr Zucco said.

“With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it would mean we wouldn’t be able to reach our patron capacity and no dancing would be allowed either. I can’t see ourselves pulling the trigger on it until distancing measures have been lifted,” he said.

“We also fear that further restrictions could be imposed if Tasmania sees a second virus wave.”

Mr Zucco said the development’s original June 2021 completion would likely be pushed back.