THE development application for the proposed Fragrance hotel development in Collins Street has been advertised for public comment as part of the Hobart City Council’s approval process.
The revised project planned for 2-6 Collins Street is significantly reduced in height from the original proposal to around 50 meters, taking account of public sentiment and to conform to prevailing building heights in the Hobart CBD.
The revised height will be more congruent with its neighbourhood and is similar to a number of other existing and approved buildings within the vicinity of the city. For example, it will be lower and no larger than the neighbouring new Royal Hobart Hospital towers which is under construction and will rise to about 69 metres.
The Collins Street proposal will be for a four-star hotel, complemented by a major conference facility and associated commercial operations.
It includes 256 hotel rooms comprising suites, two and three bedrooms. The main conference room will be able to seat 800 to 1000 and together with ancillary breakout spaces and catering facilities, the development is designed to meet increased convention demand in Hobart. The hotel will also house a restaurant, a café and other commercial spaces and associated facilities.
Other features of the development include 167 car spaces, a coach parking area, wellness centre and spa, swimming pool, gymnasium and clubhouse.
The call for public comment follows the release of independent polling showing strong public support for new multi-storey hotel developments in Hobart and significant support for projects 45 metres in height and above.
Polling conducted in October last year by Tasmanian research company EMRS showed that 68 percent of people supported new hotel developments, with just 24 percent opposed. Of those who supported new hotel developments, some 75 percent supported buildings up to a maximum height of 45 metres, 26 percent supported up to 75 metres and 20 percent supported developments up to 180 metres.
The Hobart City Council is also currently considering a Fragrance development application for a four-star hotel and apartment complex in Elizabeth Street.
Fragrance Group is confident the proposed Elizabeth Street and Collins Street projects are in line with community support and also not dissimilar to the heights of several other existing buildings in Hobart. It will also be lower than the new Royal Hobart Hospital towers which are currently under construction.
Fragrance Group
