$18m boutique hotel proposed for historic Tasmanian town

A boutique hotel, estimated to cost around $18 million to build, is one step closer to popping up in a historic town in the Tasmanian Midlands. SEE THE RENDERS >>

A boutique hotel, estimated to cost around $18 million to build, is one step closer to popping up in the historic Tasmanian town of Oatlands.

Southern Midlands Council has signed an agreement with Tasmanian company THN Hospitality to develop the hotel on Barrack St, having started its search for a developer in 2020.

Oatlands boasts Australia’s largest collection of sandstone Georgian buildings and Australia’s third-oldest windmill, which is now the centrepiece of the state-of-the-art Callington Mill whisky distillery.

Nearly 100,000 visitors flock to the village annually, but many will only tour town for a few hours with limited accommodation available.

The boutique hotel, which remains subject to relevant approvals and funding, will feature 43 rooms, as well as dining and event facilities.

Tasmanian-based THN Hospitality Pty Ltd (THN) has been named the preferred proponent to develop a boutique hotel at Oatlands. Images from Fender Katsalidis.

THN Hospitality managing director Ben Targett said the Southern Midlands is “crying out for an accommodation and events facility of this scale”.

“The scale of the hotel at 43 rooms is not enormous, but it is big enough to handle groups,” Mr Targett said.

“It’s big enough to encourage people to meet in Oatlands.”

THN Hospitality currently operates well-known Hobart institutions the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel and Hadley’s Orient Hotel.

Designed by architects Fender Katsalidis, the boutique hotel will incorporate some Georgian architectural principles.

“We’re really excited to have a concept which we feel will fit Oatlands (and) will be respectful of its heritage and history,” Mr Targett said.

Tasmanian-based THN Hospitality Pty Ltd (THN) has been named the preferred proponent to develop a boutique hotel at Oatlands. Images from Fender Katsalidis.

While it was “early days”, the project would employ 145 construction workers and eventually 45 full-time hospitality workers, according to Mr Targett.

“When developed, the hotel will provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to forge a career in tourism and hospitality and assist the Southern Midlands to unlock the benefits of participating in Tasmania’s visitor economy.”

Southern Midlands Council deputy mayor Edwin Batt said the council had been discussing the development of a hotel for almost a decade.

THN Hospitality managing director Ben Targett and Southern Midlands Council deputy mayor Edwin Batt. Picture: Chris Kidd

“We think this project is going to be in really good hands,” Mr Batt said.

“We don’t want to see country towns die. We want to see country towns prosper.”

Residents of the town will be able to share their thoughts on the proposal when the community consultation stage of the project gets underway.

THN Hospitality has held talks with both state and federal government representatives in relation to funding.

The Tasmanian company anticipates the hotel will also be funded by private investors.