Hobart’s answer to Federation Square set to take shape

A SCALED-down version of Melbourne’s most celebrated pubic space is ready to take shape within Hobart’s Parliament Square development.

EXCAVATION has begun at 10 Murray St in Hobart to begin transforming the cleared space into Hobart’s newest public plaza.

As the demolition of the former government office block draws to a close, crews are now working on the lower-ground section of the site before building it back up to street level.

“It’s now an excavation project,” said project manager Shaun Wilson, from Citta Property Group.

“The demolition is complete … now the bulk of the work is in building.”

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Mr Wilson said the Salamanca site would be transformed within the next 12 to 15 months.

The site will become a scaled-down version of Melbourne’s Federation Square, with the creation of a 2000 sq m public plaza.

To public open space will be surrounded by commercial and retail spaces, including restaurants, cafes and office space.

An artist's impression of the new Parliament Square development in Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

Work continuing to clear the site at 10 Murray St earlier this week. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

It will neighbour a new luxury hotel which will be built behind the neighbouring heritage facade of 12 Murray St, which has been painstakingly saved during the demolition of 10 Murray St.

The $10 million demolition, which was the biggest in the state’s history, saw concrete cutters chomp at the building internally.

Work on bringing down the 14-storey building began last October.

An artist's impression of the new Parliament Square development in Hobart. Pictures: SUPPLIED

An artist's impression of the new Parliament Square development in Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

Demolition of the 47m high building involved 20,000 tonnes of concrete being brought down and removed from site.

Hazell Bros managing director Geoffrey Hazell, whose company carried out the demolition, said 90 per cent of the material would be re-used.

He said the building had contained asbestos but it had been removed effectively.

“The asbestos in this building has been managed very well,” he said.

“It was a sound concrete structure so that made removal easier.”

Mr Hazell said the giant crane in Murray St would remain in place in readiness for the next stage of building works, including the plaza and new hotel.

The heritage facade of 12 Murray St will become the entrance to the new Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel.

MORE: HOTEL ON HORIZON AS HOBART’S FUTURE TAKES SHAPE