The former Tasmania Police headquarters on Liverpool Street could be transformed into 17 apartments and a ground-floor cafe under a new $5 million proposal currently before Hobart City Council.
The proposal is another example of the growing focus on bringing more residential activity into Hobart’s CBD through adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
Projects like this make a lot of sense for the future of the city. Rather than leaving prominent buildings underutilised, repurposing them for housing and hospitality helps bring new life into the CBD while making better use of existing infrastructure.
More people living in the city also helps support local businesses, creates more activity outside standard business hours and contributes to a safer, more vibrant and active city centre.
As Hobart continues to grow, there will need to be a mix of housing options, including more apartments and medium-density living in appropriate locations close to jobs, services and public transport.
The inclusion of a ground-floor cafe is also a positive addition, helping activate the street and contribute to the broader atmosphere and appeal of the area.
Public comment on the proposal is open until 9 June and it will be interesting to see how the application progresses through the planning process.
