The Clarence Hotel in Dublin’s Temple Bar plans to expand from 58 to 162 rooms, which the owners Keywell DAC say will make the enterprise viable in the long term.
The proposed redevelopment includes modern dining options and a contemporary music venue while upgrading existing facilities.
A planning report by Stephen Little & Associates emphasises the aim of recapturing the Clarence’s iconic status through high-quality amenities: “and deliver high-quality hotel accommodation and ancillary facilities to this area of Temple Bar”.
Under the plans, a brasserie, coffee shop and bakery on the ground floor of Dollard House will replace the Giddy Dolphin pub. Cleaver East will be changed into a contemporary music pub. Roberta’s Restaurant will become a premium event facility. Workman’s Cellar will be relaunched as a premium event-driven, late-night music venue and r Anne’s bar repositioned as a specialist bar. The Curious Mister will become Octagon Bar, a new Stout Bar and the Tomahawk retained as is.
Keywell DAC is part of Lifestyle Hospitality Capital (LHC). This year LHC purchased a majority stake in the Dean Hotel Group, which included the boutique Clarence Hotel, from the Press Up Group.
The deal came only months after Bono, The Edge and Paddy McKillen Sr sold The Clarence in October last year to the Dean Hotel Group.
There are 2,070 hotel bedrooms under construction in Dublin, with 1,079 of those in the four-star sector.
