Fragrance Group reveal designs for residential apartment complex at site of former UTAS Conservatorium of Music

A development application for Fragrance Group’s latest proposal in Hobart reveals its plans for the prime site. SEE THE DESIGNS

DETAILS and artist’s impressions of the Fragrance Group’s latest proposed Hobart development have been revealed for the first time.

The Mercury reported in October the Singaporean developer had lodged a development application with the Hobart City Council for the former site of the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music on Sandy Bay Rd.

FRAGRANCE REVEALS PLANS FOR SANDY BAY SITE

While most of Fragrance’s Tasmanian proposals have been for commercial developments, including the completed Ibis Styles hotel, this proposed development is for 55 residential apartments plus a ground floor cafe, parking for 88 cars, a communal pool and gym.

Designed by Perth-based Scanlan Architects, the complex would be made up of two main structures connected by a podium.

The tallest section would be 10 storeys, with a maximum height of about 33m while the second structure would be seven storeys and about 22m high.

An artist’s impression of a proposed development on the site of the former Conservatorium of Music on Sandy Bay Road. Image: Scanlan Architects

Applications documents reveal the existing 22m-high building would be demolished except for the heritage-listed ABC mural wall, which would be retained in the new complex.

The new development would contain two levels of basement car parking and a range of two-three bedroom apartments as well as a four-bedroom penthouse on level nine.

The planning and urban design report by local company Ireneinc and Smith Street Studio said the variation in form and appearance of the proposed building would fit the context of the surrounding existing buildings.

“Although the building exceeds the permitted building height in the zone, the design of the building into two separated structural elements above a shared podium allows for a clearly identifiable transition in height between adjoining buildings to the east along Sandy Bay Road and larger buildings to the west,” the report states.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development as seen from the corner of Davey St and Sandy Bay Rd. Image: Scanlan Architects

Overlooking St David’s Park and near to the Welcome Stranger Hotel, Fragrance added the site to its portfolio of prime Hobart real estate in May 2017 — buying the property for $13.3 million, according to Corelogic RP Data records.

The site includes the main conservatorium building (originally ABC TV), a warehouse, three brick buildings on Heathfield Ave, three heritage-listed conjoined cottages on Wilmot St and a communications tower.

UTAS had been leasing the conservatorium from the developer before it moved operations to the new Hedberg performing arts centre near the Theatre Royal earlier this year.

An artist’s impression of a proposed development on the site of the former Conservatorium of Music on Sandy Bay Road. Image: Scanlan Architects

Earlier this year, the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal of Tasmania refused a $30 million development proposal for 52 apartments on the site of the nearby Welcome Stranger hotel.

The Fragrance application is open for public comment until April 27.

The former Conservatorium of Music building on Sandy Bay Rd. Picture: SUPPLIED/KNIGHT FRANK