Fresh Fragrance Group hotel application for Hobart’s Mid Town

SINGAPOREAN developers the Fragrance Group have this week lodged an application with the Hobart City Council for its fourth hotel development, the Mercury understands.

The Fragrance Group purchased the property in August last year and has plans for a hotel, accommodation and businesses on the site. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

SINGAPOREAN developers the Fragrance Group have this week lodged an application with the Hobart City Council for its fourth hotel development, the Mercury understands.

It comes as the council goes back to the company for more information relating to their applications for two skyscraper hotels proposed for the CBD.

The latest development application is for the site at 234-250 Elizabeth St, which is in the section of the city often referred to as Mid Town, between the CBD and North Hobart.

Details of the project remain scant, but it is understood the building is expected to be a mixed-use hotel development.

The application lodged with the council is listed for “partial demolition, alterations and redevelopment for hotel industry, multiple dwellings, general retail and hire, food services, business and professional services and visitor accommodation”.

The property is set over four titles on 3500m2 of land with multiple existing tenancies.

The site was advertised last year by real estate company Knight Frank as having had previous approval for 67 residential apartments and was spruiked as one of the last big development sites in the city.

A statement from Fragrance Group Limited executive director Periakaruppan Aravindan said their subsidiary Fragrance Tas-Hobart (Elizabeth) Pty Ltd had bought the property at 234-250 Elizabeth St in August 2016 for just under $4 million.

The site is currently home to businesses including ABS Auto Service Centre, Fig Flowers, Shalldesign and Chrome Coffee Lounge.

Seven weeks ago, Fragrance lodged development applications with the council for a 120m 400-room hotel in Davey St and a 75m, 495-room hotel in Collins St — worth a combined $230 million.

The proposals have provoked significant public opposition in recent weeks, including from high-profile Tasmanians actor Essie Davis and award-winning author Richard Flanagan.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Collins St development. Picture: S. Group Architects

Fragrance Group’s proposed development in Davey Street. Picture: X Squared Architects

The applications have not yet been publicly advertised for comment because more information was required, HCC general manager Nick Heath said.

“Although land owner consent has been provided for each application to be made, both applications are currently the subject of requests for further information under section 54 of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act,” he said.

“The further information that’s required from the applicants is to enable assessment of each proposal against the relevant provisions in the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme 1997.

“In terms of timing, public advertising cannot commence on either application until those requests have been satisfied by the applicant.”

Fragrance’s first Hobart development, a 296-room hotel in Macquarie St, which will be operated as Ibis Styles Hobart, is expected to open next month.

An artist’s impression of the new hotel on Macquarie St developed by the Fragrance Group.

The company’s most recent Hobart land purchase was a Sandy Bay Rd site which includes the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music, a warehouse, three brick buildings on Heathfield Ave, three heritage-listed conjoined cottages on Wilmot St and a communications tower.

It had been expected to sell for about $10 million.

Representatives for the Fragrance Group were contacted for comment.