Green light for Conrad to transform ‘into a world-class, five-star hotel’

Dublin City Council has sanctioned plans to transform the Conrad hotel "into a world-class, five-star" destination.

Archer Hotel Capital, a specialist European hotel investment vehicle that bought the Conrad for €115 million in 2019, has secured permission for an eight-storey extension that will increase rooms by 88 to 280.

The “significant investment” includes a two-level roof-top bar terrace and new facade. The hotel is also to get an additional floor, bringing the number of storeys to nine.

The city council granted planning despite Irish Life Assurance, New Ireland Assurance and IBI Property Nominees Ltd expressing "some serious reservations" concerning aspects of the scheme.

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The council planner’s report that recommended that planning be granted said the visual impact assessment lodged with the scheme demonstrates “that the proposed development will not result in adverse visual impacts on the surrounding area”.

The planner’s report also found the proposed upgrading of the hotel would enhance the streetscape on to Earlsfort Terrace and provide a greater presence on to Leeson Street.

The report further said that given the urban context and the uses of the adjacent buildings, the scale of the development was consistent with existing and emerging trends. The scheme “will positively contribute to the streetscape and vibrancy of the area”, it said.

As part of the planning conditions attached to the permission, €583,776 must be paid to the city council for public infrastructure and €231,078 in respect of the Luas Cross City Scheme.

Submission

Irish Life Assurance , New Ireland Assurance and IBI Property Nominees Ltd are joint owners of St Stephen’s Green House which is located  to the immediate north of the hotel.

In a submission on behalf of the three joint owners, Sheehan Planning told the council that they have “some serious reservations” concerning aspects of the scheme.

Sheehan Planning said that while their clients are generally supportive of the redevelopment, they have serious concerns relating to certain aspects.

The concerns relate to the potential loss of light to their property, the separation distance between the redeveloped Conrad scheme and their property and potential demolition/construction safety and structural impacts.