Novotel Hobart passes construction milestone

Hobart’s newest hotel has passed a construction milestone with a traditional topping-out ceremony. When it will be complete >>

A view from top of the new $65 million Novotel on Macquarie Street in Hobart CBD. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Hobart’s newest hotel passed a major milestone on Monday, with a topping-out ceremony to mark the building reaching its full height.

The $65m 206-room Novotel Hotel is being built on the site of the former Motors showroom at 179 Macquarie Street will include a function centre, a restaurant, a pool and basement parking.

Minister Guy Barnett, Senior Project Manager for Hutchinson Builders Mark Dawson, and CEO of Master Builders Matthew Pollock observe the hoisting of a tree to signify that the building has reached its final height on top of the new $65 million Novotel on Macquarie street in Hobart CBD on 19th June 2023. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Watched by Minister State Development Construction and Housing, Senior Project Manager for Hutchinson Builders Mark Dawson celebrated the occasion with the traditional placement of a tree at the structure’s apex — a tradition dating back centuries.

Mr Dawson said construction was on track to be complete in the new year.

‘We’re probably about two-thirds through,” he said.

“We started January the previous year, we’ve been going for about 18 months.

“We should be finished early next year all going well, so it’s a good milestone to get to the top.”

Mr Barnett said a pipeline of major construction projects such as there Novotel was important for the state’s continued growth.

“I’m delighted to able to join the ‘top out’ celebration of the final floor of the Novotel Hotel development,” Minister Barnett said.

“Celebrating this successful milestone is a construction industry tradition as it marks the final stage of the built structure, a major achievement on a project of this scale and size.

Mr Barnett said major projects such as the Novotel were vital to the economy.

“To date, more than 500 workers have been involved in this project, across various trades and professional services. By the time the project is complete early next year, its expected more than 800 workers will have contributed in some way.

“Of these workers, there has been more than 50 apprentices learning new skills and building their career on this site, while also building hotel rooms for the future.

“That’s what a strong economy can provide and why we are investing in infrastructure projects that give certainty to this important industry.

Construction employs more than 24,000 people in Tasmania.