The Hobart City Council has accepted plans from property developer Emmanuel Kalis and Myer to redevelop the site of the old Myer building which was consumed by a fire in late 2007.

 

Lord Mayor of Hobart Rob Valentine welcomed the move, saying that the move would imbue the city’s retail industry with renewed confidence.

 

“Since day one of the tragic loss of the Myer department store by fire, the Council has been working in the interests of the community and city businesses to ensure that redevelopment proceeds. We were very aware that among a series of other initiatives, Hobart must have a major national retailer in the CBD,” said the Lord Mayor.

 

“Following the disastrous loss of Myer‟s Liverpool Street store, the Council commissioned a major study to determine the effects of the loss on the city. The study backed up the assertion that the city needed a major department store and also looked at the impact on turnover and employment of inner city businesses over time, should the Myer redevelopment not occur.”

 

The construction of the new building has been valued at $100 million and will be the only full size Myer retail centre in the city.

 

“We are very grateful for the incredible patience and support of the people of Hobart as we have traded out of the replacement stores since the disastrous fire in 2007. Not only are we rebuilding an exciting new store on the site, but Myer will be much larger, occupying five levels and increasing our space from 8,000 square metres to 12,450 square metres,” Myer Chief Executive Officer Bernie Brookes said