Hobart City development: New development application for K&D timber yard has no housing

Despite approval for two proposals in the last few years, architects went back to the drawing board for the former K&D timber yard, with a big difference in the latest design. See the comparison.

The most recent design for a development at 90 Melville Street. Image: Jaws Architects

A third design for a multistorey development at the former K & D timber yard will be considered by the Hobart City Council, but the latest iteration does not include housing.

A development application has been lodged and is currently being publicly advertised for the demolition of the existing building and construction of eight levels of commercial office space at 90 Melville Street in Hobart.

For the last few years the property has been used as a private carpark, after the timber yard operations ceased.

It’s the third proposal for the site in recent years, but there’s a key difference in the most recent design: it doesn’t include plans for housing.

In 2020, a permit was issued for the construction of a 30 metre complex with 55 apartments and nine levels of commercial tenancies at the Melville Street site.

Plans for the build of 55 apartments at 90 Melville St were approved in 2020, but never built. Image: supplied.

In 2022 the developer was granted an extension of time, to substantially commence the 2020 plans, with a new deadline of 2024.

Last year the Hobart City Council planning committee also approved an application for the build of a nine-storey complex, split into five levels of office space and four levels of apartments.

The number of homes included in the plan was reduced by more than half; the 2022 designs only included 22 apartments.

Artists impression of a 22 multiple dwelling development on Melville St, proposed in 2022. Pic: Jaws Architects.

The latest proposal is designed to be less bulky and not as high.

“In terms of design and amenity it will make a positive contribution to the streetscape and city while also contributing to the availability and choice of A Grade office space in Hobart,” a project planner said in the application.

“The proposed design has been informed not just by an analysis of the site and immediate surrounds, but also of its context within the Hobart CBD.”

The current plan on the table includes 82 car spaces compared to the 2022 proposal, which had 54.

The parking spaces would be set across three below ground levels.

The application will be available for viewing on the City of Hobart website until October 13.