Restoring Forestry to support learning into the future
Hobart’s Forestry building is currently undergoing restoration to become a new, inner-city hub for learning, research, collaboration and community. The $131 million construction project will provide contemporary and accessible facilities for University of Tasmania students and staff, as well as a regenerated living forest beneath the heritage dome which will be open for the community to enjoy.
The Forestry site, which extends from Melville Street through to Brisbane Street, will be equipped with highly adaptable, multi-use teaching spaces that meet the needs of students and staff in many disciplines with different teaching modes. It will become home to functions of the University including Business and Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing life to Hobart’s Midtown precinct. Read more about the project.
Key features of the project
- Contemporary technology-equipped classrooms that will enable and support world-class learning
- Re-planting the living forest beneath the heritage dome with 3500 native plants
- Informal spaces where students, staff and community can connect
- A high emphasis on sustainability and innovation including a mass timber building framework and the use of low-carbon, recycled and repurposed materials
- End-of-trip facilities, secure bike and scooter parking and electric vehicle charging stations
Having achieved Development Approval from Hobart City Council in 2022, architectural practice Woods Bagot’s innovative vision for the redevelopment of the site is currently being brought to life by the expertise of the Tasmanian branch of Hansen Yuncken. Construction commenced in early 2023 and is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025, ready for students and staff to activate the site in 2026.
Construction update
Works from mid-November to create the bridge walkway connection between Brisbane and Melville Streets, including excavation and concreting. Single lane closure on Brisbane St remains.
