Dublin might be getting another new hotel now that a site with full planning permission for a 244-bedroom hotel has come to market seeking €15 million in The Liberties in the heart of Dublin’s city centre.
Located at Molyneux Yard in Dublin 8, the 0.12ha (0.29 acre) site is between Temple Bar, St Stephen’s Green and St James’s Gate. The proposed development will comprise an eight storey over basement level contemporary hotel, with cafe, restaurant and bar.
The Liberties has long been a tourist hub in Dublin city with a number of famous attractions including St Patrick’s and Christchurch cathedrals and Teelings Distillery. It is also the subject of urban regeneration projects, including the upcoming Guinness Quarter Project at nearby St James’s Gate, while the South West Inner-City Public Realm, Parks and Greening Project 2020-2023 involves several significant upgrades to neighbouring areas, including the Meath Street Public Realm Project.
Isobel Horan, divisional director with Cushman & Wakefield and selling agent for the site, says the aim of Molyneux Yard is to attract international hospitality operators “further unlocking the appeal of the area”.
“This will add to the excellent regeneration work which has been carried out over the last number of years,” she said.
Hotel developments
Pre-pandemic, there had been concerns that Dublin was underserved by hotels, which gave rise to a significant increase in hotel construction. Despite the collapse in tourism over the past 20 months or so, this view has remained, with experts suggesting tourism will return to pre-pandemic levels over the coming two or three years.
It is expected that as many as 24 hotels, comprising 4,500 rooms, will be delivered in Dublin by the end of 2023. Many of these are in the Dublin 8 area, as there has been a high volume of development in the sector, with recent hotels opening including The Hyatt on Dean St, and the Aloft Blackpitts hotel, while further hotels or tourist accommodation are under construction by StayCity on Francis St and Premier Inn on Newmarket Square.
