Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart facts for kids
| Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart | |
Quick facts for kids  |
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| Hotel facts and statistics | |
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| Location | 1 Davey Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 42°52.84′S 147°20.02′E / 42.88067°S 147.33367°E |
| Opening date | 1987, as Sheraton |
| Architect | Forward Brianese & Partners (1998) |
| Management | Hotel Grand Chancellor |
| Owner | Grand Hotels International |
| No. of restaurants | 1 + 1 bar |
| No. of rooms | 244 |
| Total floor area | 5000m² |
| No. of floors | 12 |
The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart is a big hotel right on the waterfront in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It has twelve floors and offers great views of the water.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart stands in a part of the city once known as 'Wapping'. This area used to be busy with factories, gas production, and shipping. It was a hub for industry and transport.
The Site's Early Days
Before the hotel was built, this spot was divided into two city blocks. One block, near Campbell and Hunter Streets, was used for shipping gear. Later, it became a service yard for Hobart's electric trams in 1893. From 1935, it housed trolleybuses. Then, in 1955, it became the first home for Metro Tasmania, a public transport company.
The other block, near Hunter and Evans Streets, held the Hobart Gas Company. This company started in 1854. It made gas to light up city buildings and streets. Its gasworks were very large for their time. Some of its old buildings are still around today.
From Factories to a Car Dealership
Many old sandstone buildings from the 1800s were on this site. These included the Phoenix Hotel and the Tasmanian Woolen Factory. In 1938, all these buildings were taken down. A large, modern car dealership called Nettlefolds General Motors was built there. It sold cars like Vauxhall and Bedford trucks.
Building the Hotel
In 1985, the old transport depot and the Nettlefolds building were removed. This made way for a new hotel, which was going to be a Sheraton hotel. During construction, the hotel's design had to be changed. Developers had to remove thousands of pink bricks. The bricks were supposed to look like sandstone to match nearby old buildings.
The hotel opened in 1987 as the Sheraton Hobart Hotel. In 1993, the Grand Hotels International group took over the hotel. It has been known as the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart ever since.
What the Hotel Offers
The hotel has many things for guests to enjoy. There is an indoor heated swimming pool. Guests can also use the gym and a sauna.
Federation Concert Hall
The Federation Concert Hall is a special part of the Grand Chancellor. It is a top-notch place for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) to perform. It also hosts many conferences and events.
In 1998, the hotel added a large new section. This included the concert hall, a ballroom, and conference rooms. The TSO wanted a modern place to play music. The Australian Government helped fund this project. They gave money from the Federation Fund. This fund celebrated 100 years since the Federation of Australia. That's why the concert hall and ballroom are called "Federation."
The concert hall was designed by Forward Brianese & Partners. Its round shape and brass outside were inspired by the old gas holder tank from the Hobart Gas Company. It cost $13 million to build. The venue opened in 2000. It has seats for 1,100 people in the concert hall. The ballroom can hold 1,000 people.
In Movies
The hotel's lobby was used in a movie! It was made to look like a Parisian airport hotel. This was for the 2011 film The Hunter. The movie starred actor Willem Dafoe.
Places Inside the Hotel
The Grand Chancellor is home to several businesses. You can find the Restaurant Tasman there. There is also the Atrium Bar for drinks. The hotel also has the Hobart Art Gallery and Zenica Hairdressing.
