Article – New Twist for old block

by 10M Architects

The Sunday Tasmanian, DANIELLE McKAY | March 06, 2011 12.01am

A GROUP lobbying to save a State Government office block from demolition has produced a bold vision for its future in a bid to draw support as appeal action looms.

The vision for 10 Murray St includes sumptuous greenery, protruding balconies, a roof-top recreational area and even a jet-pack powered man flying overhead. Lobby group Save 10 Murray St has produced 1000 postcards of the image, which come complete with a printed message on the back addressed to Premier Lara Giddings.

The group is distributing them to cafes around Hobart.

Group spokeswoman Briony Kidd said the aim was to open people’s minds to the possibilities of what 10 Murray St could be if it was revamped rather than demolished.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:  http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/03/06/212081_tasmania-news.html

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Article – 10 Murray set to go

10 Murray set to go

The Mercury, DAVID KILLICK   | February 16, 2011 05.28pm

The 10 Murray St office block is set to be demolished.

THE state’s planning tribunal has approved the demolition of the state office block at 10 Murray St – paving the way for the controversial $100 million Parliament Square redevelopment to proceed.

The Resource Management Planning and Appeals Tribunal yesterday rejected arguments from a group which wanted to preserve the 43-year-old, 14-storey office tower.

It found that the building did not have particular architectural merit and that its retention and refurbishment would not make economic sense.

“In the Tribunal’s mind, the existing building is neither an examplar of anything much at all nor is it especially well executed,” the Tribunal found.

“In the tribunal’s view there is ample material which persuades that there are overriding environmental and economic considerations not to retain the building.”

It also ruled that the proposal complied with the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme and would improve the precinct in its current form.

“The site proposed for redevelopment is decrepit and has in large part fallen into disuse.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:  http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/02/15/207355_real-estate-news.html

Note: This article appeared in the print edition on 16 February, but appeared online on 15 February 2011.

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Article – 10 always for demolition

10 always for demolition

by CHARLES WATERHOUSE   |

The Mercury, October 07, 2010 12.01am

THE retention of 10 Murray St was not considered to any great degree in designing the Parliament Square development, an architect told an appeal hearing yesterday.

But Richard Francis-Jones said the removal of the top four floors was considered, and expanding remaining floors.

Mr Francis-Jones, who helped design developer Citta’s proposal, was the first person to give evidence at a hearing by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal into objections to approval of the development by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.

The main objector is the Save 10 Murray group.

Mr Francis-Jones said it would be possible to refit 10 Murray St for office space but limitations existed to recycling the building, although it would be technically feasible.

He disagreed with a proposition from Shaun McElwaine, appearing for the objectors, that 10 Murray St had a “very strong, solid form which defines the building edge of Murray St”.

Mr Francis-Jones said if the former government printery building at 2-4 Salamanca Place and 10 Murray St were retained, “you probably don’t end up with the public open space” that is intended by the Citta development.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:  http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/10/07/177431_tasmania-news.html

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