The awning of a historic building on the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool streets in Hobart’s CBD is undergoing renovations after it was found to be “structurally failing”.
Work began on ‘Goldings Corner’ in early October following construction exemptions from both Heritage Tasmania and Hobart City Council.
Signage covered up by several changes in tenancies from years gone by was briefly unveiled in the demolition process, including remnants of Ansett Airlines of Australia and Pioneer Tours.
Today Zambrero, Phone Rush Repairs and Machi Machi trade from the building.
A spokesperson for the City of Hobart said council heritage officers have visited the site multiple times to monitor the progress of the project and will continue to do so.
“We are not sure exactly when it will finish as there is a decent amount of engineering work that needs to be completed,” they said.
“[Workers] are reinstating heritage features such as the pressed tin under the awning and retaining as much of the original internal timber structure as possible.”
“It’s this latest work which has required the safety hoarding to be placed on the Liverpool Street footpath.”
The building dates back to the 1870s and was most recently home to Golding & Son Jewellers.
Earlier this year, it changed hands for the first time since 1890 when the Golding family listed it for sale.
According to the Tasmanian Heritage Register, the building is a “significant element in the urban streetscape”.
“The shop at 78-78A Liverpool Street is believed to be the oldest continually operating jewellery shop in Australia,” the register states.
“[It] is of historic heritage significance because of its ability to demonstrate the principal characteristics of a three storey Victorian Italianate commercial retail building.”
The register also notes the “hierarchy of proportion” through the sizing of windows and “decorative parapet with finials, an empty lancet-style recess with moulding above and expressed quoins” on the corner of the shop.
