One last hitch before Mona hotel work starts, says Walsh

MONA owner David Walsh says work could start on Mona’s HoMo hotel within the next 12 months ... but there’s just one catch.

A design image of Mona’s proposed $300 million HoMo (Hotel at Mona). Picture: SUPPLIED

MONA owner David Walsh says work could start on Mona’s HoMo hotel within the next 12 months ... but there’s just one catch.

“The designs are spectacular and resolved, we’ve got a good architect,” Mr Walsh said. “But we can’t pay for it.

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“It’s quite likely that something will commence being constructed about May next year, and will take about three years.

“It could be good, it could be great, it could be terrible. Without the capacity for it to be terrible, it won’t be interesting. Because there is only risk in merit, and most merit is in risk.”

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When the plans were first unveiled in July last year, Mr Walsh said the $300 million 63m high, 172-room hotel could be a “beacon for Hobart”.