Council announces Birchalls development with Tas City Building and S Group

Inner city living might be the next development in Launceston. The latest big project that will take shape in a ‘contentious’ site.

Monica Plunkett, S Group, City of Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood, and Steven Simeoni, Tas City Building outside of the Birchalls Building. Picture: Alison Foletta

It’s been eight years since the iconic Birchalls bookshop closed in Launceston’s central business district and it has not been without its controversies.

From a proposed $90 million creative precinct, to a court case over deposits and federal grants, City of Launceston council are now confident, the development announced on Friday will go ahead.

Located in Brisbane Street Mall, Birchalls closed in 2017 after looking for a buyer for 10 months, the City of Launceston bought the site in 2020 for $8.4 million.

Five years later, it’s on its way to a new life.

The old Birchalls building in Launceston's Brisbane Street Mall is a longstanding bone of contention. Picture: Alex Treacy

The project with Tas City Building and S Group will help re-energise the area, according to City of Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood.

“We are really excited to announce that we’re going to be working with Tas City Building and S Group and working on really ensuring that the CBD has that revitalisation, energy and vibe we’re really looking for, that we’re prioritising around our 10 year strategy,” he said.

Birchalls will become a hybrid of residential living, retail and social connection.

Once the back part of the building, there will be a new building, four-storeys high, with new accommodation.

The front part of the building will remain the same where it is heritage listed, it goes about 20 metres back.

There will be office spaces as well, eateries and little a linkway.

Previously, the council wanted to connect the Birchalls building with the CH Smith carpark on Patterson Street behind it for a $90 million creative precinct, looped in with a bus terminal.

Monica Plunkett, S Group, City of Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood, and Steven Simeoni, Tas City Building outside of the Birchalls Building. Picture: Alison Foletta

Mr Garwood said there was still work to be done before the project was shovel ready.

“There is still some work to be done in terms of the term sheet,” he said.

The term sheet will give better timelines and show what the development will look like.

“We should see some shovel hitting the dirt in the next couple of years,” Mr Garwood said.

He also said the financial details will be more exact further down the road, with the council open to federal or state funding.

Tas City Building’s Steven Simeoni said while the frontage of Birchalls was heritage, the developers were experienced in heritage and inner city builds.

“This is extremely exciting for us because there is over 20 inner city apartment,” he said.

“We’re looking at affordably apartment as well. They’re going to be two-bedroom apartments.”

Birchalls store in Launceston, soon to close down.

Mr Simeoni said it wasn’t just a project to him.

“I’ve got a passion for inner city building and for helping revitalise Launceston,” he said.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and will live here for the rest of my life, and I love the city.”

S Group’s Monica Plunkett said the project was also “close to their heart”.

“Our vision is to see the city centre thriving,” she said.

“We really do feel inner city living is a key aspect of that, getting people out there on the streets throughout the day and evening and creating the vibrancy is what it’s all about.”