One of the best known guest-houses in Dublin 4, Ariel House, at Lansdowne Road, is expected to make around £5.5 million (6.98) when it goes to tender on July 11th. Insignia Richard Ellis Gunne is handling the sale of the four-star, 37-bedroom business which includes three adjoining Victorian houses, numbers 50, 52 and 54 Lansdowne Road.

Ariel House is owned by Michael and Marese O'Brien who are retiring after 40 years in the business. The three houses are in impeccable condition and have parking front and rear. There is a private house at the rear of number 54 with independent access and scope for further developments at the back of the other two houses.

The agents suggest that whoever buys Ariel House has the option of continuing to run it as a guest house or to convert it into a high quality apartment development with integrated mews at the rear. Alternatively the houses could revert to private use with mews houses at the rear.