Hyatt Centric $40m hotel set for Hobart CBD by 2019

RENOWNED international hotel group Hyatt is coming to Hobart for the first time.

A BOOM in international visitors and tourism infrastructure in Hobart has created the ideal environment for world-renowned hotel group Hyatt to come to town, says the chain’s regional vice president.

The Hyatt Group has announced it will operate a new $40 million hotel in Hobart’s bus mall, which was approved by the Hobart City Council last year.

An artist's impression of the proposed 221-room Hyatt Centric Hotel in the Elizabeth St bus mall. Picture: JAWS ARCHITECTS

Designed by Neal Mackintosh, of JAWS Architects, the 63m-high hotel will be five star with a restaurant, bar and function rooms.

The Singapore-based developer, Elizabeth Tasmania Pty Ltd, removed 10m in height from the original plan to gain the council approval.

MORE: HOBART CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CUT-DOWN ELIZABETH ST HOTEL

The original design had the taller of the two towers at 73m — the same height as Wrest Point tower. The 221-room Hyatt Centric hotel is expected to provide 94,000 annual visitor nights for Hobart and attract an additional $18 million in visitor spending each year, the developer said.

Construction will provide 177 fulltime equivalent jobs and an injection to the local economy of almost $24 million. Hyatt Hotel’s area vice president for the Pacific region Robert Dawson said the Hobart property would become the first Hyatt Centric Hotel — the company’s boutique brand — in Australasia.

“Tasmania has long been a location we’ve wanted to build a hotel and with tourism infrastructure and the visitor arrivals we’re seeing, now is the perfect time,” he said.

An artist's impression of the proposed 221-room Hyatt Centric Hotel in the Elizabeth St bus mall. Picture: JAWS ARCHITECTS

Premier Will Hodgman said the Hyatt coming to Hobart was a demonstration of the state’s pulling power.

He said the partnership with Elizabeth Tasmania had largely been facilitated by the Office of the Co-ordinator-General.

Hyatt Hotel’s area vice-president Robert Dawson in front of the site of the new Hyatt hotel. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“Hobart will join the likes of New York, Paris and Chicago where the hotel brand promises upscale, cosmopolitan experiences in the heart of prime visitor destinations,” he said.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey welcomed Hyatt to the city amid what she described as an “economic renaissance.”

Having a brand of the ilk of Hyatt enter the Tasmanian market was a significant milestone, said Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief Luke Martin.

Construction is expected to begin in July, with an aim to open to hotel in early 2019.

In addition to the Hyatt, other hotels coming to Hobart include the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a 296-room hotel by Singaporean company Fragrance Group, a Vibe Hotel by international hotelier Toga Far East Hotels, plus the luxury MACq 01 opening in June.