Birchalls opens play space by year-end after decade wait
Construction began September 21 on a play space opening by December, with the full $15 million Birchalls development to follow in November.
Work has started on Birchalls, a long-stalled Launceston development. The building sat vacant and deteriorating on Brisbane Street Mall for nearly a decade.
The builders will finish a children's play space by the end of 2026. Food trucks will also be introduced around the same time.
Then the rest of the project begins in November. The full redevelopment will include a laneway with six small food and beverage shops.
It will have 21 apartments in a 17-metre tower, a gym, a meeting room, and a shared terrace. The council bought the site in 2020 for $8.8 million and handed it to developers at no cost.
This move sparked public backlash at the time. The Mayor called seeing the fencing and pavers go up a genuine relief after years of waiting.
- 15 million dollars
- Full project cost
- 8.8 million dollars
- Council purchase price
- 21
- Apartments in tower
- 17 metres
- Tower height
Why it mattersFamilies finally get a play space the area has lacked, and the mall gets active food and gathering spots to revive a quiet retail precinct.
AustraliaLaunceston's CBD gets its first major mixed-use development in years, bringing families back to the mall and fresh food and beverage options.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 d ago
