Spotlight Site to Make Way for New 12-Storey Office Tower

A former Spotlight store in central Hobart is set to be demolished to make way for a 12-storey A-grade office tower, following the approval of plans by Hobart City Council in late July. The development at 174-192 Liverpool Street, proposed by Techne Invest, is being hailed as a “transformational addition to the Hobart streetscape”.

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Techne Invest, a joint venture between Techne Group and Invest Lease, was co-founded by Matt O’Halloran, a seasoned developer who previously managed a $1.6-billion loan portfolio at Merricks Capitaland. The project, designed by architecture firm Gray Puksand, will provide 15,100sq m of A-grade office space, offering state-of-the-art end-of-trip facilities, parking for 114 bicycles, and 32 carparking spaces.

The development site will see the demolition of existing commercial buildings, including a former branch of Spotlight and, according to local reports, a Hillsong church. In its place, the new tower will feature two podiums with street frontage, a setback tower, and the potential for retail and café spaces at street level. The plans also include rooftop landscaped areas on levels three and four, with a covered rooftop plant structure.

One of the standout features of the project is a pedestrian link from Harrington Street, which will span above the Hobart Rivulet, providing a unique connection for the area. The development will also incorporate a “pocket park” that acknowledges and celebrates First Nations history, creating a thoughtful urban green space.

Acting Hobart Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock expressed her support for the project, calling it a “substantial investment” in the future of the city’s CBD. “It will not only provide much-needed office space but also contribute to the vibrancy and economic growth of our city,” she said.

Hobart’s office market has remained robust, boasting the lowest CBD vacancy rate in the country for the fourth consecutive year, currently sitting at just 2.8 per cent. The new office tower is expected to meet the growing demand for premium office space in the city, while also enhancing the area’s architectural appeal and functionality.

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