New Launceston hotel designs unveiled

The Tasmanian government has announced the design of a new hotel at 41-55 Paterson Street in Launceston, Tasmania. Developed by Creative Property Holdings, the project team includes architect Telha Clarke and Skyscape as project manager.

Nearby schemes, including the proposed hotel at 4-6 Boland Street - also designed by Telha Clarke and approved for development by the City of Launceston in 2021 - and two interconnected hotels on 116-128 Cimitiere Street - designed by Scanlan Architects and approved in 2020 - have yet to be realised.

Tasmanian premier and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Jeremy Rockliff commented that this new Paterson Street hotel would create local jobs and "further cement Tasmania's reputation as a year-round tourist destination." According to Rockliff, the project is part of an ambition to strengthen the diversity of offerings in regional Tasmania.

The proposal at Paterson Street is envisioned as a design hotel precinct, comprising a 190-room, five-star hotel, business and education facilities and 400 square metres of street-fronting hospitality spaces. According to the developers, "the hotel will be thoughtfully curated to offer guests an immersive experience, where they can retreat, recharge, and find inspiration in both the hotel's unique architecture and the captivating natural and built environments of Launceston and the broader northern region."

Tim Clarke, co-director of Telha Clarke, described the design's intent to mediate "between the city's need for a contemporary architectural landmark and the community's strong affinity to maintain the historical character of Launceston."

"The inspiration for the design came from the natural formations of rock and sculptural walkways along the Launceston Gorge. These organic forms have been rethought and transformed in a way that also responds to the existing, rectilinear rhythm of Paterson Street," said Clarke.

Given the fallout of similar hotel proposals, the Paterson Street hotel project is eagerly anticipated to improve local amenity and opportunity through the creation of new jobs.

Creative Property Holdings have outlined their intention to submit their development application to council in coming months and, subject to approval, begin construction in the latter half of 2025.