A former A. E Jack site could become the city's next C. H. Smith and Launceston substation development, the people behind the plans say.
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Baker Group has bought the junkyard site on Margaret Street and plan to build seven townhouses on the land as part of a $7 million development.
Working with S. Group, the development came after the land, which is already zoned residential, was put out for public tender late last year.
S. Group director Sam Haberle said the plan reflected the site's industrial aesthetic.
"The whole concept is that it doesn't have traditional Launceston heritage. It's got industrial heritage. That's why we have called the development jack. with the tag line 'your heritage awoken'," he said.
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The jack. development is six two-storey apartments and one three-storey apartment, with city views.
A bulk of the apartments are three bedroom and two bathrooms and some that are four bedroom and two living rooms. Each apartment has its own garage and all have private backyards.
Baker Group general manager Nigel Baker said construction is hoped to start early to mid next year.
"From our point of view in relation to S. Group, we've been working with them to be able to get the industrial feel of the site," he said.
"I know the family members of the Jack's, and one of the briefs we said to Sam is that we want to be able to keep with the industrial theme considering this used to be a junkyard for many years.
"This plan is not a junk yard, this is five star, but it still has that industrial feel."
Aesthetically, the apartments will be concrete, a rusty steel look.
The development provided an alternative for smaller land-lot development in Launceston, Haberle said.
"We feel that is really responsible in Launceston rather than encouraging urban sprawl. We've got these little pockets of land - how can we get the most out of that?" he said.
"It creates more vibrancy within the city because more people are living in the city."
Haberle said the site was one he'd dreamed of doing something with when he was younger.
"It's one of those unattainable sites around Launceston that is similar to the Launceston Substation and C. H. Smith that was there for years derelict and has a crazy story," he said.
"It's a little bit of a teenage dream, and my mates and I used to wonder if we could buy it one day. Then Nigel bought it and then we got to work with him on it."
The developers say the site has been tested for contamination, with results coming back clear.
A development application is expected to be lodged in the next two months.
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