THE proposal for a $40 million hotel and apartment complex at 152-156 Collins St and 34 Murray St appears to be a plan for an overbearing lump of a building out of keeping with the character of the area and the heritage buildings in it.
That aside, it is also interesting to learn of the association with this proposal of one of the four-member design panel of the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority, which oversees proposed waterfront design and development.
The panel member is Hobart architect and urban designer Leigh Woolley.
As Charles Waterhouse reported in The Mercury (October 11) Mr Woolley was engaged by developer Doherty Hotels and its architects to analyse the CBD site, and surroundings, to prepare concept design parameters.
Waterhouse wrote: “His report was presented to the Hobart City Council and the Heritage Council in November last year.
“There were several reviews of the design between Mr Woolley and the Heritage Council’s senior architect before it was submitted to the city council.”
Very interesting. A waterfront authority panel member who is also associated with the city centre proposal.
Again it is an observation on the interlocked world of Hobart development … highlighted by the use of a picture of the Town Hall in the brochure advertising the proposed CBD development.
I, for one, would love to hear from Mr Woolley.
Margaretta Pos is a candidate in the Hobart City Council election. Written and authorised by Margaretta Pos, 13 Crelin St, Battery Point 7004.
