A distinctive five-story office building designed to honor Tasmania's rich union heritage has been proposed for construction in Hobart's central business district. The $10 million project, located at 240-244 Murray Street, would replace an existing locksmith building with what developers are calling 'The Marching Building,' featuring a unique facade inspired by workers marching with banners.
The architectural design specifically celebrates the craft and skill of Tasmania's local labor force, workers' rights, fairness, and significant union-led industrial actions, including the historic achievement of securing the eight-hour workday. According to planning documents submitted to the Hobart City Council, the building's facade will showcase a distinctive red oxide waveform with a sandblasted finish and exposed concrete columns, symbolically representing people marching with banners in solidarity.
Developed jointly by TasBuild and Goldsworthy Pty Ltd, the proposed structure will include three floors dedicated to office space, a ground-floor cafe spanning 186 square meters, and a rooftop terrace equipped with a meeting room. The building will reach a maximum height of 20 meters at its tallest point, but incorporates a thoughtful design feature with a gradual height increase at a slanted angle of approximately 27 degrees. This architectural approach is intended to create a smooth transition between Murray Street's commercial character and the more residential-scaled Patrick Street.
The development site, while not located within a designated heritage precinct, is situated near several heritage buildings, particularly along Patrick Street. The planning application notes this proximity and addresses the need for the new structure to complement the existing architectural context of the area.
Notably, the proposal does not include any on-site parking provisions. A comprehensive traffic assessment accompanying the application argues that the absence of on-site parking is appropriate for this location, citing the adequate availability of existing public and private parking facilities in the surrounding area to meet the building's needs.
The site has an interesting history, having previously operated as a service station. During remediation work conducted in 2023-24, three underground fuel tanks were removed from the property, preparing it for its new commercial development.
The proposal is currently in the public comment phase, allowing community members and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the development plans. Following this public consultation period, the project will be formally considered by the Hobart City Council's planning committee in the coming months, where officials will evaluate the application against local planning regulations and community input before making a final decision on the unique tribute to Tasmania's labor movement.
