Plans submitted to Hobart City Council for $36 million Macquarie St Apartments

Plans for a $36 million apartment complex with a child care centre have been submitted for a former petrol station site in central Hobart. PLANS + DETAILS >>

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A VACANT block in central Hobart owned by an international oil and gas company could be transformed into a residential apartment complex with a child care centre.

A development application has been submitted to the Hobart City Council for the $36 million project by developers New Pleasant Investments No. 2 Pty Ltd at 202-206 Macquarie St, next to St Michael’s Collegiate School.

Macquarie Street Apartments artist impressions. Picture: SUPPLIED

The former petrol station site is still owned by Mobil Oil Australia, but has been vacant since the early 2000s.

Designed by local firm Jaws Architects, the Macquarie St Apartments would feature 40 units, a child care centre, and two ground floor commercial spaces with 45 carparking spaces.

The application documents show the building would be approximately 30m tall at its highest point, which is setback off the street.

The 40 apartments would occupy floor levels 2 to 9, with the apartments having a mix of one to three bedrooms.

A planning report prepared by Ireneinc Planning and Urban Design said the project would “contribute to the vibrancy of the city.”

“The development will provide an additional boost to residential apartment living within proximity to the CBD and other key sociocultural and economic areas such as Sandy Bay and Salamanca Place,” the report stated.

“The site will also ensure that a currently vacant and under-utilised site is redeveloped, significantly improving the streetscape.

“The location of an additional childcare centre within walking distance of the CBD will also provide more convenient options for parents.”

Macquarie Street Apartments artist impressions looking up the street. Picture: SUPPLIED

A traffic impact assessment found the total peak traffic generation of the development would be approximately 310 vehicle movements per day.

The assessment said Macquarie St has 770-840 vehicle movements per hour during the morning and afternoon peak periods, respectively.

“Overall, it has been concluded the proposed apartment and commercial development can be supported on traffic grounds as it will not give rise to any adverse safety or operational traffic issues,” the traffic impact assessment said.

Public comment on the application closes on October 1.