Major local economy boost as Citywest plans to invest €15m
By Laura Lyne
The local economy will see a major boost if plans to increase the capacity of Citywest Conference Centre to 6,000 patrons are approved by South Dublin County Council as part of a €15 million investment to upgrade the 774-bed hotel and conference centre.
The application seeks permission to increase the current capacity of the centre from its current limit of 4,161 patrons to 6,000 patrons and for the provision of public concerts – the original plans for the conference centre were for the higher capacity, which was decreased following a condition of grant permission from An Board Pleanala in 2008.
If approved there would be knock-on benefits to other hotels and businesses in the area with patrons looking for hotel accommodation. Restuarants and retail would also benefit.
The application for the increase to the conference centre was submitted by Cape Wrath Hotel Ltd, a company created by Tetrarch Capital (formerly Brehon Capital), which purchased the Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre from receiver Martin Ferris at a price of €29 million in September 2014.
It recently announced plans to invest €100 million in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation market over the next two years and create a new division to operate and manage its properties in the sector, with Citywest Hotel general manager Glenn Valentine as director of operations.
As part of these plans, the Citywest Hotel and Conference Centre will undergo an 18-month renovation which is expected to cost between €12 million and €15 million.
It also seeks modifications to the existing overflow car park at the centre to accommodate 171 additional car parking spaces and a taxi set-down area.
The current overflow car park was granted permission back in 2011 and has 347 car parking spaces, nine bus parking spaces and two bus set down/pick up spaces.
Improvement works to the junction at Garters Lane and Fortunestown Lane are also included within the development, along with landscaping and boundary treatment works above and below ground.
Third party applications will be accepted on the application until January 29, 2016 with a decision on the application due from the council by February 19, 2016.
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