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Ireland: A subsidiary of Red Rock Developments has secured planning approval for a 143-bed aparthotel in Dublin’s Donnybrook area, following a decision to redevelop an existing Circle K filling station site.
The approved scheme will see the demolition of the petrol station on Donnybrook Road, opposite Donnybrook Stadium, and its replacement with a seven-storey aparthotel above a ground-floor restaurant and café. The site is located at the junction of Donnybrook Road and Brookvale Road.
Planning consultants acting on behalf of the applicant said the site is currently underutilised and that the development would help address a shortage of tourist accommodation in the Donnybrook area. The location was cited as being close to major sporting venues, including the RDS and Aviva Stadium, as well as lying on a public transport corridor into Dublin city centre.
The scheme replaces an earlier proposal for a 10-storey, 225-bed student accommodation development, which was refused planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The aparthotel has been pre-let to Finland-based hospitality operator Bob W, marking the company’s first location in Ireland. Bob W operates aparthotel-style accommodation across multiple European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, London and Athens.
The development was amended following requests for further information from the council, with changes made to the ground-floor layout, street frontage and overlooking at upper-storey levels. As part of the approval, 12 rooms overlooking a neighbouring site are to be redesigned prior to construction, with the overall scheme capped at 143 rooms.
The proposal attracted objections from local residents and businesses, with concerns raised around building height, density and impact on neighbouring properties. Some residents called for the scheme to be reduced to six storeys, while a neighbouring business warned the development could limit future regeneration potential on adjacent land.
As part of the approval, Red Rock Developments will be required to make a development contribution of €625,872.20 to Dublin City Council.
Highlights:
Planning approval has been granted for a 143-bed aparthotel in Dublin’s Donnybrook area, replacing an existing petrol station site.
The seven-storey aparthotel has been pre-let to Bob W, marking the operator’s first entry into the Irish market.
The scheme aims to address a shortage of tourist accommodation close to major venues and transport links.
Developers will make a €625,872 development contribution as part of the approval conditions.
