We show that a nested sequence of Cr macro-element spline spaces on quasi-uniform triangulations gives rise to hierarchical Riesz bases of Sobolev spaces Hs(Ω), 1 < s < r + 3/2, and H 0s(Ω), 1 < s < σ+ 3/2, s ∉ ℤ + 1/2, as soon as there is a nested sequence of Lagrange interpolation sets with uniformly local and bounded basis functions, and, in case of H0 s(Ω), the nodal interpolation operators associated with the macroelement spaces are boundary conforming of order σ. In addition, we provide a brief review of the existing constructions of C1 Largange type hierarchical bases. © Springer-Verlag 2014.