Murray St’s controversial semi-circular red awnings may make comeback

HOBART’S controversial semi-circular red awnings may be about to make a comeback on the former Savings Bank of Tasmania.

The semi-circular red awnings in place before the building owners were forced to remove them.

HOBART’S most controversial window furnishings may live to see another day, as the owners of heritage-listed 26 Murray St apply to have them reinstalled.

A planning application was lodged with the Hobart City Council earlier this month to reinstall four semi-circular awnings on the ground level of the former Savings Bank of Tasmania building.

The red awnings were widely embraced by the public after they were installed without approval in 2011.

The building owners’ application for retrospective approval won support from the Hobart City Council, but was the subject of a drawn-out battle with the Heritage Council.

Awnings on the basement, first and second floors were eventually permitted to stay, but four awnings were removed from the ground level in November 2012. They have sat in storage ever since.

The old Savings Bank of Tasmania building in Murray St in full glory with all its red awnings, before the lower level awnings were removed.

Building co-owner Warwick Rule said he hoped the Heritage Council would take a different approach to the application this time.

“(The awnings) make the place look absolutely fabulous. The curved ones just add such a dimension to the place,” Mr Rule said.

He said the past four years had proven the awnings did not have a damaging effect on heritage.

Hobart Deputy Mayor Ron Christie said he thought the awnings at the time looked “fantastic” and to “bring it on”.

“I will be supporting them. Let’s look at them again and try to get them up there. I love them,” Ald Christie said.

“I look forward to them coming to council again, hopefully for the last time.”

The new application seeks to attach the awnings to the window frame rather than stonework, and proposes the permit be for 10 years.

The awnings on the other levels would be refurbished to ensure they matched the four not exposed to the elements.

A semi-circular red awning has been installed at 103 Campbell St, which is also heritage listed.