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James Koh, a Singaporean billionaire developer, recently put a controversial development proposal before Hobart City Council. If approved, it would see the construction of two large-scale hotel developments, the larger of which would become the tallest structure built within the historic city centre of the Tasmanian capital by far. According to local opponents of the project, the modern glass towers, proposed to rise 35 and 20 storeys smack dab in the centre of the largely Georgian-Era sandstone city centre, would be a blight upon the stately historic streetscapes of downtown Hobart.
At 120 metres, 28-30 Davey Street, the larger of the two towers proposed by the Fragrance Group, would become the tallest building in Tasmania at 35 storeys. The tower would offer more than 500 guest rooms with space left over for a possible combination of conference rooms, restaurants, and retail. While such details are still undecided, the proposal for the taller tower does include plans for a pedestrian bridge which would provide guests with easy access to the waterfront without crossing either Macquarie or Davey Streets. Critics of the project have been quick to point out that while this may be a nice gesture for guests, the move to include a bridge that avoids the busy commercial districts would limit the interaction of visitors with the broader Hobart community and vibrant city centre.
Viewed above, the 75-metre 2-6 Collins Street would include 495 rooms spread across 20 storeys, with space left over for a 1,000-seat conference room. Similar to plans for the larger hotel, this development would also include a pedestrian and cycling bridge which would enable guests easy passage from this hotel to another related development currently under construction nearby. Both the 35- and 20-storey hotel proposals were drawn up by the Tasmanian-based S. Group's CEO and lead architect, Samuel Haberle, who is onrecord touting the possibilities posed by the project for drawing both tourists and business travellers into downtown Hobart.
While the project would create up to 1,000 temporary and permanent jobs, many locals have voiced concerns about the size and scope of the two hotel developments, not to mention the overtly modern aesthetic shown in the renderings, which critics suggest would not be a good fit for the historic city centre. It is now up to Hobart City Council to decide upon the fate of the project, with the future of the city and the direction it chooses to take as both a tourist destination and living, breathing, modern city, to be felt for years to come.
SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this file as details continue to emerge. For more information, check out the associated Database files and Forum threads, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
