- An appeal against the College Green hotel development has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála
- The appellant claimed the roof extension was equivalent to “plonking a portacabin” on a historical building
- Figs Properties planned a 97-bedroom hotel with a glazed domed rooftop bar
- Dublin City Council planners noted the vacant building had resulted in increased anti-social behaviour
- A ruling on the appeal is expected towards the end of 2026
Plans for a new five-star luxury hotel on College Green in Dublin have been put on hold over objections that the development will be the equivalent of “dropping a glass-fronted portacabin” on the roof of a historical listed building.
An appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála over the decision of Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for the change of use of the Ulster Bank building at 30-33 College Green with the development of a 97-bedroom hotel which also fronts onto Church Lane and Suffolk Street. The proposed new six-storey hotel, which will have a bar, café and restaurant at ground and mezzanine levels, is being developed by Figs Properties – a company owned by businessman and entrepreneur, Deepak Sharma. The plans also provide for a spa and gym as well the demolition of the existing 5th floor slab and its replacement with a glazed domed roof structure that will function as a rooftop bar.
The appellant, Phillip O’Reilly, questioned if the development was “the best that can be done for this prominent and important site in the city surrounded by so many important, significant and historical buildings”. Mr O’Reilly, who is a resident of Harold’s Cross, claimed the proposed upward extension of the building totally disregarded the built environment of the area. Consultants for Figs Properties said the plans responded sensitively to the context of the location by incorporating both the 1800s protected structure and preserving the 1975 addition which has a “modernist” appearance which would establish a coherent relationship with adjacent buildings.
Phillip O’Reilly shared: “As proposed this development is tantamount to plonking a portacabin on top of the existing building and this is not acceptable. There is a serious need for a rethink here.”
