Vision unveiled for expansion of Hobart's MONA

The founders of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) have unveiled early designs for a dramatic new building to be located to the north east of the current attraction in the Hobart suburb of Berriedale.

The new building, which will be known as HOMO (Hotel at MONA), will house a spa treatment centre, three-level public library, restaurant and bar, auditorium, conference centre, function and retail spaces, an outdoor stage and a new 172-room hotel.

MONA founder and millionaire gambler David Walsh unveiled his plans for his gallery's "next phase of growth" at a lunch for Tasmania's tourism industry this week.

Walsh explained "it's very simple really. We like building stuff. So far it has gone pretty well for us, and hopefully also for our communities.

"This time, some may think it's gotten a little out of hand - the excavation alone is more than four times the size of that for the museum - but we seem to have some support, the plans have turned out pretty well, and we can't rest on our laurels for ever."

"The heart of MONA is chance."

In a statement, Walsh added "the build of HOMO is expected to take approximately three years from commencement and will create 300 new full-time construction jobs. When open, HOMO will deliver an additional 120 full-time jobs on an ongoing basis."

When MONA announced plans to build $200 million worth of projects including a hotel, a casino and an extension to the gallery in 2015, Walsh said the design of the hotel would make a bold statement and “shout where MONA whispered.”

The MONA casino, Walsh continued will be a members-only poker-machine-free facility for non-Tasmanians, “designed as an ‘anti-casino’” that would “act as an outlet for art and design.”

Designs for the MONA hotel, by Fender Katsalidis Architects (who also designed the original MONA) are yet to be submitted to the local authority, the Glenorchy City Council.

Walsh also flagged a move to Launceston for the annual Festival Of Music and Art (FOMA) event, subject to support from the Tasmanian Government.

Image: The preliminary design for the planned Hotel at MONA.

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