University Hall may make over €15m

Landmark Sale: One of Dublin's finest Victorian buildings, University Hall on Lower Hatch Street, has come up for sale by public tender.

Sales agent DTZ Sherry FitzGerald is not offering a guide price but the striking building is expected to achieve over €15million.

It is a unique property with lots of history and plenty of future potential.

Its zoning allows for a wide variety of uses including institutional, commercial, hotel, medical, embassy and - in keeping with its original purpose as a students' halls of residence - residential. Final use is, of course, subject to planning permission.

The extensive property comprises about 4,100 sq m (44,131 sq ft) situated on a 0.18-hectare site. University Hall fronts onto Hatch Street and has side access via Hatch Place. The Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital backs onto Hatch Place at the rear of University Hall.

The elegant redbrick structure is designed with an internal courtyard flanked by three spacious residential blocks. One of these includes the Hall's own private chapel.

Charles Powell, who carried the unlikely nickname, "God-on-a-bike" because of his white beard and favourite mode of transport, designed the building.

It was commissioned by the Jesuit order as a hall of residence for UCD students when the college was based in nearby St Stephen's Green. It was built between 1910-1913 at a cost of £25,000 - t equal to €2.3 million when inflation is taken into account.

The landmark building is full of history and has seen many well-known visitors over the years. Former residents of "the Hall" include former PD leader, Mr Des O'Malley and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen.

Although Hatch Street connects directly to main arteries Lower Leeson Street and Earlsfort Terrace, it has remained a relatively quiet place that is close to everything in central Dublin.

The National Concert Hall and St Stephen's Green are both literally around the corner and Grafton Street is no more than a stroll away across the Green.

The extraordinary development potential of the property suggests that investors, developers and even owner-occupiers will all vie for this remarkable building.