One of the best-known hotels in north Dublin, Howth Lodge, at Claremont Road in Howth, is expected to be demolished to make way for an expensive apartment development. The hotel was originally used as a summer home by the British Viceroy in Ireland. Dublin property developers Cosgraves have paid about £8 million for the hotel, which stands on a site of four acres fronting on to the beach.
Pat Nolan, of Hamilton Osborne King, negotiated the sale.
Although Cosgraves could not be contacted for comment, it is thought likely that they will seek permission for about 100 two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, most of them with stunning sea views. They will look directly over Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island and along the north Dublin coast to Portmarnock and Malahide. The site fronts on to Claremont Strand - popular with strollers and swimmers - in one of the most exclusive areas of Howth. The local residents include the former Attorney General, Harry Whelehan, and U2's Larry Mullen.
Under the terms of the deal, the Hanratty family, who have owned the 50-bedroom hotel since 1979, are not due to hand over possession until March, 2000, to enable them to honour bookings for functions and to ensure that members of the hotel leisure centre can continue to use the facility. The Hanrattys are to retain control of the hotel and bar licence and have told the staff of 60 that they hope to continue to employ them in a new development. If planning permission is granted for the apartment development, the homes would undoubtedly be in keen demand by buyers looking for a seaside location and also from older couples wanting to trade down from larger homes in the area.
Even by today's values, the price of two-bedroom apartments on the beach in Howth would probably start at around £300,000. The development site is within five minutes' walk of the DART station.
There has been relatively few apartment developments in Howth in recent years, though one is planned for the site of the former Edros Sports Centre at Tara Hill. Another apartment scheme is currently under way at Corr Castle, in Sutton. Howth has become an attractive and much sought-after location, with the growth of good restaurants, pubs and night life. It still retains its unique amenity value with mountain and cliff walks. The Howth area is also the subject of an Area Amenity Order by Fingal County Council, which will restrict building.
Howth is one of the key residential locations in north Dublin and is well served by sporting facilities, including three golf clubs, a yacht club and a tennis club.
