Mona Unveils Expansion, Shelves Hotel Plans

Australia’s largest private museum has unveiled its latest expansion plans, which are now before council.

The Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart is proposing a new tunnel and a range of new additions, designed by Melbourne architect Nonda Katsalidis.

Mona’s development application reveals a new tunnel extending from the main structure through to the banks of the Derwent River, where the ferry arrives and departs, along with an extension to the jetty.

Mona also plans to create a new timber sculpture platform on the property, but remains tight-lipped about what it will be used for.

Mona is the brainchild of Tasmania’s David Walsh, who owns Mona. He is an art collector and businessman who funded the build of the globally-recognised museum.

“Everybody knows that David has a penchant for building tunnels, so he’s digging another,” Mona co-chief executive Mark Wilsdon told The Urban Developer.

“The development won’t disrupt on-site operations, so it’ll be business as usual in the meantime.”

When asked what the platform development will be used for, Mona cultural affairs director Jarrod Rawlins wouldn’t confirm what its intended use would be.

“We hope to share more information soon. As always, we’ll be working closely with Glenorchy City Council as plans progress,” he said.

Walsh unveiled ambitious plans for a $400-million, 172-room hotel and casino envisaged for Mona back in 2018, but a Mona spokesperson has this week confirmed that these plans have been shelved—for now.

The hotel proposal was to include a theatre, spa centre, conference facilities, an outdoor concert stage and a library to house David’s collection of books, documents and “weird stuff”.

The Urban Developer understands that Walsh still intends to build the hotel, but a Mona spokesperson declined to provide any further updates.

MONA reopened on Boxing Day last year after shutting its doors for nine months due to the pandemic. Public comment on the current application closes on September 14.