Lenna Hotel $60m seven-storey boutique accommodation building appeal begins
The appeal of a $60 million extension to a well known luxury hotel in Hobart has begun, with a heritage consultant saying while it would not complement the existing building, it wasn’t “disrespectful” either. DETAILS >>>
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A PROPOSED $60 million extension of a heritage Hobart hotel does not complement the existing building, but is not disrespectful either, the state’s planning tribunal has heard.
The Lenna of Hobart Hotel development would feature a new seven-storey boutique accommodation building where the heritage hotel’s car park currently exists.
The plan was rejected by the Hobart City Council in 2018 and had been fought by nearby Battery Point residents.
The development was in mediation for much of 2020 before the applicants appealed the rejection before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal in February.
During this process the applicants amended the plans, reducing the height and bulk of the structure, but the project is still subject to appeal.
A four-day hearing began on Tuesday before RMPAT and heard from Melbourne-based heritage consultant Peter Lovell.
He said the new proposed section did not compliment the existing hotel and there was no direct design connectivity.
“They’re two distinct propositions, but it[the proposed new building] is not disrespectful [of the existing building],” he said.
Mr Lovell said the planning scheme was not clear on the idea of what an “adverse impact” was defined as.
He said the proposed new building had a larger footprint than others in the area, but the architectural treatment made it appear less bulky.
Lawyer Don Armstrong asked if the building was not so bulky would it not need any “architectural tricks.”
“They’re not tricks – it’s what good designers do and it’s well managed in this case,” Mr Lovell said.
The hearing continues until Friday.
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