Hobart City Council approves new apartment block in the city

The Hobart City Council has unanimously approved a huge development which will create 56 new homes.

Artist's impression of a development at Barrack Street. Image: Irene Inc.

Plans for a new apartment block, which would create dozens of new homes in Hobart’s CBD, has been unanimously approved by the Hobart City Council.

At 20 Barrack Street, it’s proposed a mixed use complex be built, containing 56 new apartments, along with space for three commercial tenancies on the ground floor.

The council, as planning committee considered to development application for the build on Wednesday, after planning officers recommended it be approved.

The site and existing building, previously the Motors Showroom, has been vacant for a several years.

Excluding the basement levels, the building would be six storeys high and have a maximum height of 26.5 metres.

The building would include 14 one-bedroom apartments, 34 two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom apartments.

Each apartment would have a private balcony and access to communal entertaining areas.

On Wednesday councillor Ryan Posselt said Hobart needed more develops like the one proposed.

“We have a housing crisis in Hobart and these types of developments are what we need to solve that,” Mr Posselt said.

“It’s not just to solve the housing crisis, it also goes to emissions, having centrally located living and close commutes where transport makes up 20 per cent of the city’s emissions, I understand, and if everyone’s walking, that’s zero.

“I think it’s quite an appealing and attractive building … I think it’s appropriate.”

The DA was carried unanimously.