92-93 St Stephens Green

The initial proposal for the development of this site and its protected structures was to maintain the existing commercial use and build a new office building at the rear of the premises. However, this scheme underwent substantial modification during the pre-planning consultations.

In response to a series of pre-planning meetings, the project team decided to undertake a comprehensive re-evaluation, necessitating a complete reinitiation of the project.

The main decision, based on feedback from the Dublin City Council (DCC), involved the restoration of the original residential use for one of the houses, specifically reinstating number 93 as a residential dwelling. Therefore, being an exquisite addition to the St. Stephens Green area as one of the only Georgian Houses to stand as residential.

The architectural design incorporated a gap of 13 meters between the protected structures and the newly proposed hotel edifice, strategically concealing it from view on the Stephens Green side. However, on the Iveagh Gardens side, the visual impact of the proposed scheme, while substantial, was mitigated through the integration of stepped terrace gardens away from the boundary into the overall design.

Overcoming obstacles such as constraints on protected structures, the team navigated challenges related to DAC and FSA regulations while also ensuring the project remained viable for the client.

The archway between the twin buildings of 92 and 93 provides a unique entrance to the hotel and makes the most of the Georgian character of the building. A glazed reception area provides a node to travel between the various levels and the original annex features a new glazed roof.