Parliament Square, Hobart
Encyclopedia
"Parliament Square" is the name given to the upcoming redevelopment of the block directly behind Parliament House
in Hobart
, Tasmania
. The site is in close proximity to the waterfront
and is bounded by Davey Street
to the north, Murray Street to the east, Salamanca Place to the west and Parliament House
to the south. The block has an approximate area of 7,322 m². The eight buildings that comprise the site in its present form range in height from two to 14 levels and are connected by a number of laneways and car parks. While some of the buildings are used as government offices, major sections of the site are empty.
The site includes the former St Mary’s Hospital, the Red Brick Building, 34 West Davey Street, the former Government Printing Office building at 2-4 Salamanca Place and the former PABX building; and Government offices at 10 Murray Street
, 12 Murray Street and 34 Davey Street, all of which are occupied by the State Government
.
The Government announced Citta Property Group as the preferred company to undertake the project. Citta plans to give the area a Federation Square
feel with the demolition of the State Offices at 10 Murray Street
and the opening up of the Murray Street side. The plan will upgrade and maintain the older Davey Street facing buildings, as well as building a new seven-storey building facing Salamanca Place. There will also be shops, cafes and an amphitheatre
with a large screen for public events.
Of the three shortlisted proposals, one design would have retained and retrofitted the modernist building at 10 Murray Street
, whilst the two other plans required demolition of the building.
The proposal is subject to a planning appeal lodged by members of the "Save 10 Murray" group on the grounds that 10 Murray Street
is a historically and culturally significant building. The group also objects to the demolition of the former Government Printing Office, a heritage-listed art deco
building. 10 Murray Street
is arguably the best example of high-rise architecture within Tasmania.
Parliament House, Hobart
Parliament House, Hobart has been the meeting place of the Government of Tasmania since 1841. The building was originally designed as a customs house, and from 1841 until 1904 when the customs offices were relocated, the building served both purposes....
in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. The site is in close proximity to the waterfront
Sullivan's Cove, Tasmania
Sullivans Cove is on the Derwent River adjacent to the Hobart CBD in Tasmania. It was the site of initial European settlement in the area.-History:...
and is bounded by Davey Street
Davey Street, Hobart
Davey Street is one of the main streets of the central business district of the city of Hobart, capital of Tasmania, Australia. As well as forming the southern border of the CBD, it is part of the A6, technically making it part of the Huon Highway....
to the north, Murray Street to the east, Salamanca Place to the west and Parliament House
Parliament House, Hobart
Parliament House, Hobart has been the meeting place of the Government of Tasmania since 1841. The building was originally designed as a customs house, and from 1841 until 1904 when the customs offices were relocated, the building served both purposes....
to the south. The block has an approximate area of 7,322 m². The eight buildings that comprise the site in its present form range in height from two to 14 levels and are connected by a number of laneways and car parks. While some of the buildings are used as government offices, major sections of the site are empty.
The site includes the former St Mary’s Hospital, the Red Brick Building, 34 West Davey Street, the former Government Printing Office building at 2-4 Salamanca Place and the former PABX building; and Government offices at 10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street is the address of the State Offices building in Hobart, and the name by which the building is frequently known. It is a Brutalist office building located behind Parliament House and close to Salamanca Place. The building is fully occupied by the State Government of Tasmania and is...
, 12 Murray Street and 34 Davey Street, all of which are occupied by the State Government
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.
Future
In April 2009 the Tasmanian Government shortlisted three proposals for the redevelopment of the area.The Government announced Citta Property Group as the preferred company to undertake the project. Citta plans to give the area a Federation Square
Federation Square
Federation Square is a civic centre and cultural precinct in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia....
feel with the demolition of the State Offices at 10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street is the address of the State Offices building in Hobart, and the name by which the building is frequently known. It is a Brutalist office building located behind Parliament House and close to Salamanca Place. The building is fully occupied by the State Government of Tasmania and is...
and the opening up of the Murray Street side. The plan will upgrade and maintain the older Davey Street facing buildings, as well as building a new seven-storey building facing Salamanca Place. There will also be shops, cafes and an amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
with a large screen for public events.
Of the three shortlisted proposals, one design would have retained and retrofitted the modernist building at 10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street is the address of the State Offices building in Hobart, and the name by which the building is frequently known. It is a Brutalist office building located behind Parliament House and close to Salamanca Place. The building is fully occupied by the State Government of Tasmania and is...
, whilst the two other plans required demolition of the building.
The proposal is subject to a planning appeal lodged by members of the "Save 10 Murray" group on the grounds that 10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street is the address of the State Offices building in Hobart, and the name by which the building is frequently known. It is a Brutalist office building located behind Parliament House and close to Salamanca Place. The building is fully occupied by the State Government of Tasmania and is...
is a historically and culturally significant building. The group also objects to the demolition of the former Government Printing Office, a heritage-listed art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
building. 10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street
10 Murray Street is the address of the State Offices building in Hobart, and the name by which the building is frequently known. It is a Brutalist office building located behind Parliament House and close to Salamanca Place. The building is fully occupied by the State Government of Tasmania and is...
is arguably the best example of high-rise architecture within Tasmania.