Dublin City Council has approved planning permission for a seven-storey, 434-bed hostel on Townsend Street, Dublin 2, replacing a long-derelict site described by locals as an “eyesore.” ORHRE Management Services Limited will deliver the project, which includes 97 shared rooms with two- to 10-bed configurations, a ground-floor café, and kitchen facilities. The upper two floors will be set back to reduce visual impact, while the façade of 114 Townsend Street, the former Countess Markievicz pub, will be retained.

The scheme involves partial demolition of existing structures at 112–114 Townsend Street and 19–20 Lombard Street East. Planning consultants John Spain Associates argued the seven-storey height is appropriate, citing nearby six-storey buildings on Pearse Street and hotels exceeding 10 storeys. The site’s location, close to the IFSC and Grand Canal business districts, makes it suitable for both tourist and business accommodation, and there are no other hostels within 500 metres.

The development has received mixed reactions. Local architect Cian McKenna supported the project but urged a more visually robust design. Some residents and the City Quay committee objected, citing overshadowing, overconcentration of short-stay accommodation, and advocating for social housing instead. Sinn Féin councillor Kourtney Kenny also opposed the scheme, highlighting the area’s high saturation of hotels and transient units.

Despite objections, planning was granted last week. Developers must pay €357,399 in development contributions, with an additional €131,575 for the Luas Docklands contribution scheme. Father-and-son developers Charlie and Max O’Reilly Hyland are leading the project, which aims to revitalise a neglected site and provide a modern hostel offering in central Dublin.

Read the full article for details on the design, planning contributions, and local reactions to the Dublin hostel project.