Re: Re: Should the Clarence Hotel redevelopment get permission?

I’m glad this got the go ahead I suppose.

As I said before, on the one hand it is sad that the old buildings are to be gutted. On the other at least we are getting an internationally renowned achitect to design the make over. It will be a landmark, a talking point, a new feature for Dublin. It will be good for tourism.

What could have been disasterous for the whole site is that had the application failed, U2 (money grabbers that they are) would have abandoned the loss making hotel and put it up for sale. It would have fallen into disrepair and become derelict over the coming years. Then, in steps some cheap developer with Bob the Builder who buys the place and puts in a planning application to gut the place again. The Corpo are fed up with the eye sore and grants permission and then we end up with some inferior shoddy design. This go ahead is the lesser of the 2 evils, when you think about it. Look at the Ormond Hotel across the river and no one, including An Taisce are saying a word about it’s appalling neglect!

BTW, remember that the present fancy roof of the Clarence Hotel was added only around 15 years ago. An Taisce opposed that too at the time!