‘Be proud every day’: developer Ali Sultan’s message for the people of Tasmania

DEVELOPMENT   king Ali Sultan has a message for Tasmanians: “We have something, it is unique. We should be proud every day.”

Hobart's Ali Sultan in his offices on the top floor of the Commonwealth Bank building in Liverpool St

DEVELOPMENT   king Ali Sultan has a message for Tasmanians: “We have something, it is unique. We should be proud every day.”

Earlier this week the Mercury sat down with the property developer, who spoke passionately of his work, the future and his love of his adopted city.

When he migrated from Lebanon to Australia in 1969, Mr Sultan arrived with just $200 in his pocket.

He relocated to Hobart in 1972 with his Tasmanian wife and started with a corner store in Claremont. Later purchases included a steel yard, before he moved into the fruit wholesaling business and small supermarkets, then began building carparks and accommodation developments.

He also raised four children.

Mr Sultan’s fingerprints are all over the recent development of Hobart and now he is ready to start work on his signature project.

If approved, his “jewel in the crown” will be a multi-use development worth more than $100 million on the corner of Montpelier Retreat and Kirksway Place, just behind Salamanca Place.

“I can’t wait to start it,” he said. “[The] Salamanca [development] will please everyone; I’m sure everyone will be happy with it.

“Salamanca is a beautiful place and everybody knows it. You haven’t been to Hobart if you haven’t been to Salamanca and we should be proud of what we have.”

The long-awaited project had been delayed for several years, with the last permit lapsing in 2011. The original design included an underground carpark, commercial space and a hotel. Mr Sultan said a slightly altered design would be revealed soon. It would include a 24-hour carpark to ease parking around Salamanca Place.

He said respect for the heritage of the area and the public were key concerns when putting together the new design.

“We understand our projects and we understand how we will deliver and we won’t stop. We finish projects as we believe and we respect all our neighbours and the public consultation process,” he said.

This development, his biggest, would cap off a series of major CBD developments, including the Market Place carpark and  Hotel on Collins.

Recently completed was his $50 million Wellington Centre linking Argyle and Liverpool streets and the Bank Arcade.

His latest project, the $35 million office, retail and carpark building on the corner of Bathurst and Argyle streets, was nearing completion and would house 500 Vodafone call centre workers.

Mr Sultan said he would be keen to work on similar arrangements in the future, a future in which he saw Hobart as more of a 24-hour city.

“I have the room – I have the land in the CBD. That’s what I have up my sleeve. I hope I can deliver something again and again.”

Sultan Holdings’ city and Salamanca developments join several other recently announced major projects for central Hobart, including the Myer Icon Complex, a new Brooke St Pier, the Macquarie Wharf Shed 1 hotel, conversion of the former Mercury building, a new 250-room hotel for Macquarie St, UTAS accommodation for 400 students on the corner of Melville and Elizabeth    streets   and   more.

Mr Sultan said it was an exciting time for Hobart. He also praised David Walsh, founder of the Museum of Old and New Art, for his contributions to the city.

He said he did not see himself retiring at any point in the foreseeable future.

“I will not pack my bag and go home. This is my city and I love what I’m doing.”