Hobart Workers Club leaving behind ‘150 years of memories’ after building club sold for nearly $4m

The Hobart Workers Club has called its Liverpool St site home for 150 years, but it will soon be on the move after the iconic building was sold. WHAT IT WILL BE USED FOR >>

THE current site of the Hobart Workers Club has been snapped up for $3.95m by the state government as the club reveals its plans for a new home in the CBD.

In September, Hobart Workers Club members made the decision to put its home of more than 150 years on the market, hoping to find a larger space.

Earlier this month, the Liverpool Street site was purchased by the state government, to be converted to affordable housing.

Hobart Workers Club president Michael Grubb said it was exceptional news.

“Whilst it was a difficult decision and an emotional process, the end result for the Workers Club is outstanding,” Mr Grubb said.

“Certainly there’s 150 years of memories attached to that building, but the members make the club, not the bricks and mortar.

“So we’re looking forward to embarking on a new journey.”

The Hobart Workers Club building on Liverpool St, Hobart. Picture: Richard Jupe

The Hobart Workers Club will remain at the Liverpool Street site in the short term, and lease the building from the government while it prepares to move to a new home.

“We’ve secured a site at 74 Elizabeth Street – the TJ Cane building – which has some history attached to it,” Mr Grubb said.

“It’s a 100-plus-year-old building.

“What it allows us to do is build and fit out a new workers club site, an 800 square metre site, which is nearly four times what we had.”

Mr Grubb said the new site would allow the Workers Club to continue to grow.

“We were very restricted by the former floor plan,” Mr Grubb said.

“We’ll commence the fit out early in the new year – it’s a significant investment in the vicinity of $1.5m.

“Our aim is to be able to occupy the site in December 2022.”

Development Minister Michael Ferguson said it was a strategic site to acquire.

“The centrally located site provides two titles fronting both Liverpool and Goulburn streets,” Mr Ferguson said.

“The combined available land area is over 1000 square metres.”

He said the location would be beneficial to the community.

“Well-located sites like this one are incredibly important because they can provide services close to retail and other health and community services,” Mr Ferguson said.

“Residential development helps increase the liveability of inner-city areas, which in turn supports local businesses and builds vibrant communities.”

Mr Grubb said the government’s intention for the building was fitting.

“Whilst there were multiple expressions of interest, the committee felt the right decision to sell to Housing Tasmania was almost fitting with what the site was originally given to the working men of Hobart for,” he said.

“Rather than it be demolished and developed, it’s fitting it’s utilised as a low-income housing solution for the people of Hobart.”