Fragrance Group has hotel proposal in Hobart CBD recommended for approval

Controversial developer Fragrance Group has had a hotel in Hobart’s CBD recommended for approval — but there’s a catch.

An artist’s impression of the Fragrance Group’s proposed hotel for 179 Macquarie St, Hobart. Picture: SCANLAN ARCHITECTS

CONTROVERSIAL developer Fragrance Group has had a hotel in Hobart’s CBD recommended for approval.

Hobart City Council’s planning committee has endorsed officers’ green light for the group’s proposal for the demolition and construction of a new 206-room hotel, restaurant and function centre at 179 Macquarie St — but there’s a catch.

If approved at next week’s full council meeting, the development will have to adhere to no less than 29 conditions, including a maximum of 60 car parks on site.

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179 Macquarie St, Hobart was home to The Macquarie Centre and before that was the Myer homewares centre. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Another condition involves developing a construction management plan to ensure the existing heritage walls on Crowther’s Lane are not compromised by the installation of upgraded stormwater infrastructure.

It would be only the second hotel Fragrance has had approved in Hobart — the other being the Ibis Styles Hotel next door.

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The Singaporean developers bought the former Macquarie Centre and Myer homewares store for $9.35 million in August last year.

The site already had a development application approved under the previous owners but the Fragrance proposal was different enough to require a new one.

An artist’s impression of the Fragrance Group’s proposed hotel for 179 Macquarie St, Hobart. Picture: SCANLAN ARCHITECTS

The hotel would be nine levels above the ground at a height of 32m, with two levels of basement carparking.

Guest amenities include a public garden with “reflection pond”, swimming pool and gym.

The proposal received seven representations, four against and three in support.

Concerns raised included the lines of sight to kunanyi/Mt Wellington from adjacent properties would be blocked, it diminished the heritage value of the area, was too high and would exacerbate traffic congestion in the area.

“It is considered that the proposed development is consistent with and respectful to the overall townscape and streetscape character,” a council report said.

“The design of the proposed building is such that it complements the two markedly different buildings on either side.

“The proposed building is not considered to be individually prominent by virtue of height or bulk.”

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An artist’s impression of the other Fragrance Group hotel designed by Scanlan Architects, in Elizabeth St, North Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

Fragrance Group’s previous development applications in Hobart have caused considerable controversy with a plan for a 424-room, 126m-high hotel on the Hobart waterfront attracting enough criticism that the project was shelved by the company.

Fragrance has been contacted for comment.

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