Marriott hotel plan technology centered hotel for Blackpitts area

Plans for Tenters pub Facade.

Sitework has begun for a whopping €40 million modern hotel build on the site of Tenters pub on Mill Street in Dublin’s Liberties area.

The Marriott Hotel Company are the main backers for the development, but billionaire tycoon Denis O’Brien has been reported to have invested millions.

The hotel, being developed with the name ‘Aloft Hotel’, is set to have 202 bedrooms and Marriott has revealed that there would be two retail units on the ground floor.

The seven story building will include a terrace on the top floor, along with a large meeting room and rooftop terrace.

The fancy new accommodation will also contain a gym for fitness fanatics.

The hotel is aimed at iPhone and Android users, as Marriott plan for an advanced use of technology. The well-known room key will no longer be used, with the visitor needing an app to get access to their room.

The Tenters pub facade underwent a condition survey in 2016 which revealed that due to severe water damage, rotting had set in and a multitude of the ceilings and floors had collapsed.

The damage to the building also resulted in cracking on the facade and the band of cement around the roof falling off. Due to the rot, the current window frames and wood will have to be removed and replaced with stronger materials.

The proposal for the site released last year states that the current familiar facade of the building, built in the 1960s and ‘70s, will be replaced by a replica.

It reads: “Due to the safety issues it would have to be demolished, but the new build will replicate the facade.”

“Due to structural issues arising from further investigations, it is now proposed, in the interest of safety, to demolish the facade facing Mill Street and Blackpitts and replace same with a replica facade to match existing.” The facade is still standing at the time of writing.

An Taisce, the National Trust of Ireland, had opposed the development on the site.

In opposition to the application, a spokesperson said last year: “Having regard to the lack of the information on the existing structure in this regard and the desirability of maintaining, repairing and securing the existing historic elevations at this prominent corner site, it is recommended that the proposed development is refused permission.”

This comment was made in June 2016 and the condition survey came out in August. The information and photographic evidence were supplied and the proposal was approved.

The project is being headed by BAM Property Ltd and is expected to be complete by spring 2018.