A 67-room boutique hotel has been proposed for Davey Street in central Hobart, with plans lodged with the city council for what could be the latest boost to Tasmania’s accommodation scene.
The project at 63 Davey Street would see the existing single-storey building demolished and replaced with a six-storey hotel featuring a ground-floor bar and basement parking for 38 cars.
The design has been scaled back from earlier versions, with the planning report noting the building has been “significantly reduced in height” compared with a previous application.
Multiple storeys have been removed, bringing the maximum height “well below” 30 metres to meet zoning requirements.
Located within Hobart’s H1 Heritage Precinct, the site sits alongside heritage-listed neighbours including the former St Helens Private Hospital and the RAAF Association Memorial Centre.
To reduce the visual impact, the design features a three-storey podium within 15 metres of the street frontage, with the upper levels set back.
“The podium has been designed to draw upon the dominant characteristics of the various two to three-storey heritage buildings evident along the street,” the planning report states.
The reduced height also ensures “a more appropriate transition to adjoining buildings, including those which form part of the city block, but front Macquarie Street”.
The hotel would use valet-managed parking, with car lifts providing access to basement levels.
A traffic impact assessment suggests the development would generate about 114 vehicle trips per day.
Plans also include changes to street access and the addition of an on-street loading zone.
Vehicle access currently serving 63 Davey Street would be removed, while access to the former hospital would be retained via an existing right-of-way.
The site has been identified as having archaeological potential, with a 2018 report highlighting areas of high archaeological potential linked to past development.
If approved, the project would add to Hobart’s expanding accommodation sector, with the city seeing strong tourism demand in recent years.
Public comment will be considered before the council makes a final decision.
