As the name implies, we at Save 10 Murray have largely concerned ourselves with the fate of 10 Murray Street since this campaign began. However, we soon realised that another building was under threat due to the ‘Parliament Square’ project, 2-4 Salamanca Place, the old Government Printing Office building.
Our appeal against the development application included grounds dealing with this proposed demolition also.
As we visited the site and researched its history, it became more and more clear that 2-4 Salamanca was a noteworthy building, an opinion affirmed by its listed status on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
Designed in the 1930s but not actually built until the 1950s due to steel shortages during World War II, this is a fascinating and aesthetically-pleasing art deco building, and a rare example of its kind. Parts of the interior, such as the main foyer, have been maintained with period fixtures and design.
A five-storey building constructed in 1955, it is made of reinforced concrete and rendered external walls and has a building area of approximately 5,810 square metres.
It has a rich history, and played a key role in the political and social activities of this state for many years.
We don’t want to see 2-4 Salamanca Place demolished. At the very least, the facade should be retained and some of the interior.
The developer’s argument has been that, as an industrial building, 2-4 Salamanca is awkwardly proportioned for use as offices. That may be so, but there are many other things this wonderful old building could be used for, and would be a shame to see it unnecessarily destroyed.
