Red awnings set to be re-installed on former Savings Bank of Tasmania building

AFTER years of debate, the window furnishings on a heritage-listed Murray St building are finally set to be legally installed.

Tourists Kara Torrey, 19, from New England, left, and Cassidy Hadcock, 19, from New York, think the red awnings add character to the heritage building. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

AFTER years of debate, the controversial window furnishings on a heritage-listed Murray St building are finally set to be legally installed.

In 2011 the owners of the former Savings Bank of Tasmania on Murray St installed red awnings on the heritage-listed building without approval.

Widely embraced by the public, the application for retrospective approval won support from the Hobart City Council but was the subject of a drawn-out battle with the Heritage Council.

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Awnings on the basement, first and second floors were eventually permitted to stay, but four awnings were removed from the ground level in November 2012. They have since sat in storage.

The red awnings on the old Savings Bank of Tasmania building in Murray St before they were taken down in 2012.

But after the council approved a planning application last year — with the Heritage Council recommending permission be granted — the owners were given the green light to install them.

Co-owner Warwick Rule said there was still a bit of work to be done before the awnings could be installed.

“They are still going up,” he said.

“Probably won’t be fully installed for about a week ... it’s a little bit complex.”

The new application seeks to attach the awnings to the window frame rather than stonework, and proposes the permit be for 10 years.

The awnings on the other levels would be refurbished to ensure they matched the four new awnings.

Mr Rule said he was happy the matter looked to have finally been put to bed.

“It’s been a long couple of years around it,” he said.

Two fans of the colourful awnings were Cassidy Hadcock and Kara Torrey — from New York and New England, respectively — who were checking out Hobart.

“We really like them, it gives the building character,” Ms Hadcock said.

Hobart acting Lord Mayor Ron Christie said the awnings debate had been a saga, but there was a happy ending on its way.

“That’s great news for Hobart, on a historic building,” he said.