Client: Kalis Properties Pty Ltd
Year: 2011-2020
On the afternoon of 22 September 2007, a fire broke out in the Myer store in the centre of the Hobart CBD, which eventually destroyed the complete Liverpool Street section of the building and, at one stage, threatened the rest of the CBD. JMG was called in during the fire to assess the structural stability of building elements ensuring the overall safety of fire crews.
Our role as structural advisor to the Tasmanian Fire Service continued until an acceptable level of public safety was restored. All affected properties were assessed for structural damage and JMG oversaw the demolition of the Myer building.
The much anticipated Myer project provided the expansion of a revitalised retail district in Hobart CBD housed across Liverpool and Murray Streets. The $70 million project occurred as a staged development over an extended 10 year timeframe. Stage 1 saw the construction of the Liverpool Street building housing the new Myer store, and was completed for the Christmas season in 2015.
JMG designed all building services including mechanical, electrical, fire, hydraulics, site infrastructure and base building services. We also worked with Myer's Retail Specialists to coordinate the services fit out.
The initial phase of the project featured innovative design and extensive negotiations with the authorities, TasNetworks, TasWater and TasFire to achieve a complex yet flexible site services infrastructure hub located between the two wings of the building with difficult physical constraints.
Stage 2 included redevelopment of the existing Murray Street store. The final stage of the project was Crowne Plaza hotel atop the Liverpool Street store including 9 levels of rooms, dining, conference facilities, administration and a sky bar restaurant adorning the top level. The heritage Fletcher Jones building was retained as the entrance to the hotel. The Murray Street façade was also retained with the balance redeveloped to a modern standard revitalising the retail district of the Hobart CBD.