Another Aparthotel Proposal – for James Street this Time!
Just as the plans for the conversion of the Tivoli Theatre site to Aparthotel was refused by Dublin City Council (builders have one month to appeal), an application was made for the building of similar units in James Street. Permission is being sought by Mullins Investments Ltd for No.s 180, 182, 183, 184 James Street. Mullins is looking for “the construction of a new Aparthotel building that ranges in height between 3 and 7 stories above two lower ground levels…”
The building would wrap around the five story apartment building that is at 181 James Street and extend from the 40 Steps (Cromwell’s Quarters) to the site of an abandoned garage. Illustration 1 is a screen grab of the site as registered with the planners. Aparthotel development’s “must include as a minimum a fully serviced reception desk and administration facilities, concierge, security, housekeeping facilities and food/refreshment facilities…” according to Dublin City Department of Planning guidelines. Rooms can not be rented for any longer than 2 months. Illustration 2 shows the projected streetscape as supplied by the architects McCauley Daye O’Connell.
The plans describe rooms that allow for doors between units to allow for amalgamation into family units. The units can not be used for student accommodation. If Aparthotels wish to change their usage into residential apartments they will need to apply for planning permission and to meet the higher standards necessary for apartments, especially the additional parking required.
For those of you interested the plans can be found online on Dublin City Planning application 2905/17. Those wishing to comment have a month from the 17th of May.
