One of Tasmania’s most innovative buildings is being revitalised.
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The $1.8 million Forest EcoCentre was originally built in 2002 to house offices for Forestry Tasmania, and to provide community and tourism facilities for the Scottsdale area.
The visitor information network in the building was relocated to Alfred Street at Scottsdale in 2013, and soon after, Forestry Tasmania downsized and moved out of the building.
In mid-February this year, the site gained a new lease on life with the opening of a new cafe.
Cafe manager Pat Faulkner said the cafe had been open for about five weeks.
“It’s such a unique building,” Ms Faulkner said.
“We have umbrellas up inside because the sun comes in. It’s a good mix of inside and outside.”
The cafe had hints of its forestry past dotted throughout in the form of indoor plants and artificial grass.
Ms Faulkner said the cafe had proven popular despite the short time it had been open and its lack of advertising.
“The community have been so supportive,” she said.
“We often get every table full.
“There are a lot of groups that go around to the different coffee shops that have been heading here."
Ms Faulkner said the cafe had also been popular with tourists.
“A lot of people stop by and come in because they’re so intrigued by the building,” she said.
Near the cafe is a selection of Tasmanian handmade gifts, such as knitted baby clothes and goat soap.
A well-stocked play area is around the corner of the cafe to keep kids occupied.
Ms Faulkner said there are big plans for the cafe’s future.
“We’ve got a lot of ideas for next year,” she said. “We’ve got lots of things coming for the future.”
She said additions such as a coffee lounge and bean bags were being considered.
For now, Ms Faulkner said the cafe had five staff members, and that the team was getting the hang of things.
The Forest EcoCentre cafe can be found on the Tasman Highway just before Scottsdale.
A lot of people stop by and come in because they’re so intrigued by the building.
- Cafe manager Pat Faulkner