Exclusive first look: Hobart’s newest high-end hotel revealed
DEVELOPERS of Hobart’s newest high-end hotel say it will provide a unique experience telling the stories of some of Tasmania’s most iconic characters.
The $35 million, 114-room MACq 01 development will help fill a void in the Hobart CBD’s critical accommodation shortage when it opens by early 2017.
But Federal Group chief executive and managing director Greg Farrell said it would be different to any other hotels being proposed.
“There’s not a hotel like this that we’re aware of anywhere in the world,” he said.
Rooms will range in size from 50 to 100sq m in the 4½ star hotel and range from $315 to $950 a night.
“So they will be amongst the largest of any CBD apartments in Australia.”
Research done in collaboration with Tourism Tasmania looked into what defines Tasmanians.
Five character categories were identified and the rooms will be styled around them:
- Grounded yet exceptional;
- Hearty and resilient;
- Colourful and quirky;
- Fighting believers; and
- Curious and creative.
And here’s the first look inside:
Within the character categories individual Tasmanians will be selected to tell the story of each of the rooms.
The fitout is costing $10 million and 118 new jobs will be created once the hotel opens.
With a number of hotel developments in the pipeline, about 1000 rooms will come on board in the next two and a half years.
“It’s about how we can differentiate the MACq 01 hotel experience from other hotels being built in Hobart in coming years,” Mr Farrell said.
Federal Group has signed a lease with construction company VOS to operate the hotel, including a restaurant and bar.
Mr Farrell said they were still selecting the individuals that would be assigned to each room.
“It will be some people that are instantly recognised and others that you might discover their unique contribution and influence,” Mr Farrell said.
Which Tasmanians do you think should be represented? Have your say in the comments below.
Federal Group general manager of tourism Matt Casey said the reception would tell the story of early settlers; the lounge area of indigenous people; and moving through, the restaurant will be about people and industry.
“So their creativity and resilience and the growth of a couple of industries attached to place on the waterfront – ship-building, whaling, seafaring, farming and mining – and tell those stories,” Mr Casey said.
“It will be full of artefacts, so you’ll see some of the quirky inventions and whaling instruments and so on.
“It will also be a place where we will do tastings, cooking classes, cocktail-making classes, wine appreciation classes and so on during the day.”
The development has been designed by Circa Morris-Nunn Architects.
Source: The Mercury, Emma Hope, 14th October 2015
Originally published as: Exclusive first look: Hobart’s newest high-end hotel revealed
