‘Transformational’ 12-Storey Hobart Tower Greenlit

A former Spotlight store in central Hobart will be demolished to make way for a 12-storey A-grade office tower under plans approved this month.

The plans for 174-192 Liverpool Street in Hobart were filed by Techne Invest, who described the tower as a “transformational addition to the Hobart streetscape”.

Techne Invest is a joint venture between Techne Group and Invest Lease, founded by Matt O’Halloran, who oversaw a $1.6-billion senior loan portfolio at Merricks Capitaland and is a former head of development at Quintessential.

The approved plans detail the demolition of existing commercial buildings on the site, formerly occupied by retailer Spotlight and, according to local media, had also housed a branch of the controversial Hillsong megachurch. 

The plans by Gray Puksand comprise 15,100sq m of A-grade office space, end-of-trip facilities, parking for 114 bicycles and 32 carparking spots.

The plans were filed with the Hobart City Council this year and were on exhibition until July.

At its meeting last week, and to a timeline that would make developers in other states envious, the council planning committee approved the tower on July 31. 

The project will create a new pedestrian link from Harrington Street, above the Hobart Rivulet, and also includes a “pocket park” that will draw upon First Nations history.

Techne’s project consist of two podiums with the street frontage and a setback tower, with potential for a retail as well as a small cafe at street level. 

There will be rooftop landscaped areas on storeys 3 and 4, and a covered rooftop plant structure is also part of the plans.

Acting Hobart Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock said the development represented a “substantial investment” into the future of Hobart’s CBD. 

“It will not only provide much-needed office space but also contribute to the vibrancy and economic growth of our city,” she said in a statement. 

Hobart’s office market has performed “exceptionally well” during the past 12 months, according to the council, maintaining the lowest CBD vacancy rate in the country for the fourth year in a row at 2.8 per cent.