Tasmanian casino operator Federal Group has unveiled a proposal for a luxury hotel designed by Cumulus Studio in Port Arthur.
The proposed hotel will be sited on the edge of the Port Arthur Historic Site, one of 11 Australian Convict Sites inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 2010.
The low-rise building, which will replace the existing motel, is designed to have low visual impact on the historic site.
“The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority are keenly interested in making sure there’s no detrimental effect on the historic values, or cultural values of the site,” said Peter Walker, director of Cumulus Studio. “One of the things that we were very concerned about was trying to make sure the visual impact was no greater than what was already there, and in fact we think it’s less than what is there at the moment.”
The proposed Port Arthur Hotel by Cumulus Studio is designed to have low visual impact on the Port Arthur Historic Site.
The main building of the hotel will house a restaurant, lounge, bar area and a spa with massage and treatment rooms. At the “front” of the building – the side closest to the historic site – will be 20 suites accommodating up to 40 guests.
“From a client point of view, they are keen that all of the suites get good views to the site and the cove because that’s part of the visitor experience,” Walker explained.
Walker said the proposed building will reflect some of the values of the historic site in terms of a building that will be grounded and understated. A reflective, contemplative courtyard will sit between the public areas of the hotel and the private suites. The public areas also face onto an heirloom vegetable garden, which will be part of the culinary experience of the site.
The design for the Port Arthur Hotel was released two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the Port Arthur Massacre. Walker said that while the tragic event is on everybody’s aware of, it did not directly influence the design.
