See below for a collection of Letters to the Editor that have already been penned in reaction to this story.

Sometimes modern architecture does nothing for the surrounds that it is plonked on.

This concept looks like black modular boxes thrown next to an attractive commercial building with its height threatening everything around it.

Do we have to be bigger to be commercially successful.

Ground floor plus three would not dramatically challenge the landscape and a lighter colour to fit in rather than challenge what is there would be more amenable.

- Antony Beggs, Soldiers Hill

Any developments now would be welcome especially creating jobs in the area as well as providing accommodation for tourists.

But at what expense of our historic city skyline.

Developers always seem keen to come forward during these difficult times because it's easy to push unattractive projects through on the pretense of jobs.

To me it's ugly and sure the telecom building is no work of art but I don't think you can hide one ugly building with another.

- Nick Martinich, Ballarat

Excellent proposal for a vacant block of land.

Ballarat needs more investment like this to cater for future population growth and tourist needs.

- Robert Cook, Mt Clear

I'm all for developing the city which offers jobs and more accommodation but I believe the buildings need to be designed to be far more sympathetic with architectural heritage of the city.

- Faye Heininger, Ballarat East

The design of the hotel does not suit the area and should be built the same as the surrounding area to look like it is a heritage building similar to Smith and Jennings.

- Clint Lovett, Delacombe

Ballarat City Council and planning departments are a joke.

They continue to allow beautiful heritage buildings to be destroyed or ignored and allow these ugly monstrosities to be built in the CBD, overshadowing everything of significance.

Shame, Shame, Shame.

The reason people love to travel to regional towns is to get away from these ugly mega-builds, they are cheaply built and generic looking, and how it will be allowed to be 6 stories, with 98 suites and only 21 car park on site is ridiculous.

That wouldn't even cover the daily staff requirements and put potentially 100 more cars into the streets that already struggle for parking.

Considering that the majority of homes in neighbouring streets like Eyre Street have no off-street parking for rate-paying residents, let alone visitors.

Maybe they could consider the the car park in Doveton Street, near Oscars, chemist, or the ex- Drummond Golf shop.

That site is more central, closer to the Central Square car park and has very few original buildings adjoining it and will have a far less impact on local residents.

Rate-paying residents who in the current proposed position will feel only the negative impacts, and very few benefits

- Fiona Smith, Redan

I am definitely not in favour of this development as shown.

There should be a maximum of four stories and should have some car parking.

The design should be more in fitting with central Ballarat architecture.

- Margaret O'Donnell, Brown Hill

That proposed hotel looks, cheap, ugly and out of place.

If it's going to be a modern place it needs much higher quality building.

- Lynette Williamson, Ballarat East