The Fenway Story
Inspired by the land beneath our feet.
A fenway is a raised path built across a marsh or wetland, allowing people to travel through ground that would otherwise be difficult to cross.
Long before Invermay became the vibrant neighbourhood it is today, this area formed part of the extensive tidal wetlands of the kanamaluka / Tamar River. Earlier residents even referred to this part of Invermay as "The Swamp." The landscape shaped the history of the suburb, making The Fenway a fitting tribute to the place where this beautiful heritage building stands.
Today, that inspiration can be found throughout the property. From the botanical artwork and natural colour palette to the thoughtful restoration of the building itself, every detail draws on the wetlands that once surrounded this site, celebrating the landscape while creating a calm and welcoming place for modern travellers.
Just as a fenway provides a path across the wetlands, we hope The Fenway becomes part of your journey through Tasmania.
Why “The Fenway”?
Historic map showing the extent of the tidal wetlands surrounding present-day Invermay (1832).
Original artwork at The Fenway, inspired by the wetlands of Invermay.A building with a story
Built in 1888, The Fenway began life as the Esplanade Hotel, becoming a familiar gathering place for the Invermay community for many decades. As both a local pub and a place for travellers to stay, it welcomed generations of visitors through its doors, before later becoming The Esplanade B&B, and then the Arthouse Hostel.
Over more than a century, the building has witnessed changing neighbourhoods, major floods and countless stories—each leaving its own mark on this remarkable piece of Launceston's history.
Today, we're proud to be writing its next chapter.
c.1900: Exiting the The Esplanade Hotel via ladder and dingy.
Flood waters surrounding the hotel.Restoring The Fenway
When we first discovered the building, we saw more than an old hostel – we saw the opportunity to give a remarkable heritage building a fresh new purpose.
Having previously restored The Dragonfly Inn and Alice's Cottages, we've developed a passion for making heritage buildings relevant for modern travellers.
Our philosophy is simple: honour the old bones. Then breathe fresh new life into them.
Rather than treating heritage buildings as museums or dramatically changing them, we've carefully balanced historic character with modern comfort – creating spaces that feel timeless, welcoming and relevant today.
Every improvement has been guided by that vision—celebrating the building's history while ensuring it continues welcoming travellers for generations to come.
Before…
After…
The People Behind The Fenway
The Fenway is proudly owned by Tom and Bec, whose passion for restoring Tasmania's heritage buildings has shaped three unique accommodation experiences across Launceston.
Together with our small local team, we're creating a place that's simple, welcoming and full of character, where thoughtful restoration meets practical hospitality.
Every decision we make comes back to one question:
"Will this create a better stay for our guests?"
The Restoration Continues
Thoughtfully restoring heritage takes time.
The Fenway is still evolving, and we're excited to be bringing this remarkable building back to life one space at a time.
While all guest rooms, bathrooms and essential facilities are complete, we're continuing to transform several shared spaces throughout the property. Rather than rushing the process, we've chosen to restore each area thoughtfully – respecting the building's history while creating comfortable, welcoming spaces for today's travellers.
Over the coming months you'll see the next stage of The Fenway take shape, including:
A brand-new guest kitchen
A dedicated guest laundry
The Den – our indoor guest dining and lounge
A new cosy guest lounge space
Every improvement brings us one step closer to our long-term vision while allowing guests to experience The Fenway's journey as it unfolds.
Thank you for being part of its next chapter.
Responsible Tourism
Every heritage building we restore is one less remarkable building lost to time. Rather than replacing what's old, we believe in preserving original features wherever possible, repairing before replacing, and making thoughtful improvements that extend the life of these beautiful buildings for future generations.
As part of our ongoing commitment, we're proud to participate in Tasmania's Sustainable Tourism program and continually look for ways to reduce our environmental impact.
View our Emissions Reduction Plan →
Accessibility
We want every guest to feel confident choosing accommodation that's right for them.
As with many heritage buildings, some areas of The Fenway have physical limitations. We've provided clear accessibility information to help guests decide whether our property suits their needs, and we're continually looking for ways to improve accessibility as we restore the building.
View our Accessibility Guide →
Our Heritage Collection
The Fenway joins two of Launceston's most loved heritage accommodation properties, each thoughtfully restored with the same philosophy – honour the old bones and breathe fresh new life into them.
If you're looking for a different style of stay, discover our sister properties in Launceston.
The Dragonfly Inn
Boutique heritage accommodation with elegant private rooms and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Alice’s Cottages
Seven beautifully restored heritage cottages, each offering privacy, character and a touch of luxury.