Planning permission is being sought to convert Tralee’s landmark retail building, formerly Caball’s Toy Shop and Kerry Bookshop on Bridge Street, into a 24-bedroom Apart-Hotel with a retail unit on the ground floor.
The proposed development includes demolishing parts of the building for an extension and renovation, with the aim of transforming the protected structure that dates back to 1821. The building was owned by the Caball family, who ran a shop there from the 1930s until its closure in 2019.
An architectural assessment highlighted the significance of the four main buildings within the structure, dating from the early to mid-1800s, with plans for essential repairs to the façade and refurbishment of original windows and shop fronts.
The development aims to enhance the area, which has already seen recent streetscaping and new businesses, and includes features like a large glazed open stairwell to bring light to the ground floor. The planning application is under review by Kerry County Council, with a deadline for public submissions set for September 11, 2024.
