‘It’s what Hobart needs’: Telegraph Hotel to revitalise ‘deteriorating’ waterfront, says co-owner

The co-owner of a hotel on Hobart’s waterfront is promising to inject “new life into the area” as the building undergoes a major transformation. INSIDE THE REDESIGN >>

THE co-owner of a Hobart pub that is set to get a new lease on life says he hopes the changes will revitalise Hobart’s “deteriorating” waterfront.

The Telegraph Hotel has been closed since April this year, with the owners taking a new approach to the business.

Brendon Bourke said it was time for something new.

“We always wanted to do something but didn’t know what to do,” Mr Bourke said.

He said they wanted to create something that would not only improve the building, but also revitalise the entire waterfront.

“We’ve been there since ’93 and seen a lot of changes on the waterfront,” Mr Bourke said.

“It’s been deteriorating over the last 10 or 15 years in terms of the style and behaviour.

“There’s a lot of anti-social behaviour.”

Brendon Bourke surveys the facelift work inside the Telegraph Hotel. Picture: Eddie Safarik

Mr Bourke said it would be a joint effort to improve the waterfront.

“We think it’s time for us to play our small part in revitalising the waterfront,” he said.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to do what they can to put some new life into the area.

“It’s what Hobart needs.”

The new look is being designed by Australian Venue Co and is the company’s first Tasmanian job.

An initial design of the ground floor of the revamped Telegraph Hotel. Picture: Australian Venue Co

The ground floor will be remodelled to make way for a new bar and casual dining area, while the guest rooms on the upper level are planned to be demolished to create space for restaurant dining.

An initial design of the dining room. Australian Venue Co says the final design may change. Picture: Australian Venue Co

The popular watering hole was established in 1858 as the Electric Telegraph Hotel and was renamed the Telegraph in 1877.

Mr Bourke said the new design would draw inspiration from the history of site.

“The interior designer has done a terrific job interpreting the Tasmanian history – they’ve gone right back and found incredible examples of what was in the hotel in the 1800s,” he said.

“For example, they’ve researched examples of the old wallpaper and they’re replicating it.

“The fit out we’re doing I think is the next level for Hobart, all the furniture is handmade and we want to align ourselves with the art, the sailing and the maritime history.”

Mr Bourke said one of the most exciting parts of the design was the plan to demolish the roof and build a rooftop bar.

“It’ll be a sophisticated roof top bar, there’s nothing quite like this on the waterfront,” Mr Bourke said.

“The rooftop bar will be casual dining, it will be very food driven rather than booze driven.

“To be able to sit out on that roof and look out on the harbour, it’ll be beautiful.”

Brendan Bourke on the Telegraph Hotel’s roof, which will be demolished to make way for a rooftop bar. Picture: Eddie Safarik

At last week’s Hobart City Council planning meeting, concerns were raised about the potential for noise, but Mr Bourke said there had been plenty of support for the plan.

“The owner of that building came out in support of that plan, the person who complained was a tenant,” Mr Bourke said.

“It’s to everyone’s benefit to not annoy the neighbours.

“We’re not asking for an exemption, we’re adhering completely to the code.”

Mr Bourke hoped the build would be complete by the end of March next year.

“Fingers crossed, it’s hard to build anything at the moment with the building shortages,” Mr Bourke said.