Former Fragrance Group development approved by TASCAT

A major hotel and apartment development was knocked back by the Hobart City Council more than four years ago, but with a new design, it’s received the green light. WHAT’S COMING >

The tribunal will assess an amended design for Elizabeth Street. Pic: Scanlan Architects.

More than four years since it was rejected by the Hobart City Council, a development along Elizabeth St is now set to be built after a tribunal ruled in favour of a revised design.

In 2018, Fragrance Group’s plan for two towers to be built across 242-250, 236-240 and 222-228 Elizabeth St, 313 Murray St, 68 and 72 Warwick St in Hobart were knocked back.

One tower would be 12 storeys high and the other would be 13 storeys for a 214-room hotel and 91 apartments.

The first iteration of the development initially proposed by The Fragrance Group by Scanlan Architects. Picture: SUPPLIED

After the development was rejected, Fragrance Group proposed an amended design be considered, with four less storeys, but this was not accepted.

But a more recent amended design was accepted, reducing each tower by six storeys each.

The hotel rooms were reduced from the initial design’s 214 to 145 and the number of residential units were reduced to 49 from 91.

In March the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled a permit would be granted for the amended design.

The tribunal said the development was initially refused over concerns around height, heritage and archaeology associated with the first design, but the most recent amendments addressed these concerns.

The development needs to use colours and materials which are consistent with the streetscape.

The development is owned by La Vie Kelso, which purchased the site from Fragrance Group in October 2021.

Last year, as part of its appeal, Fragrance Group applied to have its name substituted for La Vie Kelso on its appeal application but TASCAT ruled it did not have the power to do so.