Black Swan

Architect: Preston Lane (2025)

Revealing the Layers

What happens when an old building is given a new life without erasing the stories it carries?

Step inside the Black Swan, a heritage-listed building on a prominent corner at the edge of Hobart’s CBD, and discover a remarkable story of survival, change and renewal.

Originally built as a hotel, the building was destroyed by fire in 1835 and altered many times over the years. By the time work began, it had fallen into near-derelict condition, with missing floors, ceilings and windows and little of the original circulation remaining.

Rather than trying to recreate the building at a single point in its history, architect Preston Lane has taken a different approach. The project carefully repairs and reveals what remains, allowing the layers of the building’s past to become part of its future.

Look closely and you’ll see where old meets new. New interventions are deliberately distinct, while the original Georgian structure is once again allowed to take centre stage.

Come and have a look, explore the layers of this remarkable building and discover how careful repair, restraint and a little detective work can bring an old building back to life.

Open : Sat 7 Nov 10.00am – 4.00pm