New renders of a proposed stadium for the AFL’s next team the Tasmania Devils have caused a stir on social media.
Designs for the Macquarie Point venue were shared online this week showing two vastly different looking stadiums.
The stadium, set to be built in time for the 2029 AFL season, has attracted widespread backlash and has divided opinions online.
Concept designs released by Cox Architecture are in stark contrast to those shown off by anti-stadium group Our Place in 2023.
The Australian firm has been involved in the last four major oval stadiums including Perth Stadium and Adelaide Oval’s redevelopment.
Our Place released an updated design in the wake of the new renders with spokesperson Roland Browne claiming their original design had been “proven to be correct”.
“A building of this immense size is clearly wrong for Hobart’s historic waterfront and highly destructive of what makes our city celebrated,” he said.
“You just can’t hide how huge and how utterly inappropriately sited this stadium will be. At 54 metres high, it is 25% higher than the original proposal, three storeys higher than the Grand Chancellor and only six metres short of the height of the Tasman Bridge.
“Every Tasmanian who cares about our city’s unique beauty will be horrified.
“The new design is even bigger and far, far worse in its impacts than even the original stadium promised by the Rockliff government.”
While the plans for the stadium itself have been a divisive issue, the newly released images have again caused a stir online with many slamming the design for ruining the historic aesthetic of the area.
Veteran journalist Peter FitzSimons wrote on X: “My Tassie friends: I don’t get it. Your waterfront vibe in Hobart is a delight. So vintage, so rustic, so real, so warm & friendly. Modern Wrest Point must be at least 3km away? Why ON EARTH, would you allow a stadium that big, to be built that close? Won’t it destroy the vibe?”
ABC’s Paul Barry wrote: “What a shocker! Seriously?”
Columnist Greg Jericho wrote: “Well that’s hideous.”
Mike Carlton wrote: “It’s hideous. Horrible. Utterly, totally out of scale and sympathy with the waterfront.”
Cricket fans however were full of praise for the design which would allow Test matches to be played indoors, eliminating the prospect of matches being delayed by the weather.
An artists image from inside the stadium showing a game of cricket being played was shared to Facebook by ESPNcricinfo with fans all loving the proposed look.
One user wrote: “We would love to see Indoor stadium. More and more in English country often we see rain.”
A second added: “This is something badly needed. Weather has become cricket’s greatest enemy.”
A third wrote: “As a Hobart local I love this. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting for hours with the covers over the pitch. The trade off is the loss variability from breeze, a pitch being baked and lack of swing on a cloudy day.”
Along with cricket fans loving the plans, more people on social media were loving the design of the proposed look.
SEN commentator David Lithgow wrote on X: “Some significant steps along the way. Looking fabulous!”
Angus Hughes wrote: “Lotta quotes trashing these designs. I will not be swayed – I think this looks so sick.”
X account sportsindustry wrote: “I mean it was NEVER going to look like that big grey render anyway. Stadiums just aren’t built that way any more. Look at the MCG and Optus Stadium for example – its all glass, cladding and lighting. The anti stadium render appears to be based on Docklands roof sitting on top of a water tank or something.”
Plans for the proposed stadium showcase what would be the “world’s largest timber-roofed stadium”.
The 23,000-seat stadium will showcase Tasmanian timber with a translucent roof, reaching a height of 51 metres.
It is thought the roof will be high enough to allow the stadium to host major cricket matches including Tests, meaning it could host the world’s first indoor Test match.
“When completed, the stadium will be the largest timber roofed stadium in the world,” Tasmania sports and events minster Nic Street said.
“While developing this stadium is an important step in realising our dream of seeing our own AFL and AFLW teams running out on our own field, this facility will offer so much more.
“The maritime heritage of the broader area has also been taken into account, and culturally informed under the guidance of Aboriginal community members.
“The transparent roof, which is supported by an internal steel and timber frame, provides an opportunity to showcase Tasmanian timber.”
Tasmania’s government has pledged to spend a maximum of $375 million on the stadium with private investment contributing if necessary.
“The renders released are another great step forward in the establishment of the Tassie Devils Football Club,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said.
“Having recently visited Hobart, there is real momentum regarding the club and the design of the stadium, being driven by the Macquarie Point Authority, give the public great insight into what the stadium will bring to the city and state of Tasmania.
“The Tasmania Devils continue to make great progress led by Chairman Grant O’Brien, its Board and team members Kath McCann and Jack Riewoldt, and the recent announcement of Brendon Gale as the club’s inaugural CEO. With nearly 200,000 members signing up, there continues to be great momentum and support towards the club and today’s release of the design renders is another important milestone.”