Former office of celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean sells for €940k

Pembroke Street property acquired by Irish investor for conversion to residential use

Number 2, Upper Pembroke Street, has been acquired by an Irish investor with the intention of converting it back to residential use.

After more than two years on the market, the former office of celebrity solicitor and bainisteoir Gerald Kean has sold for a little below asking price.

The property, at 2 Upper Pembroke Street in Dublin’s city centre, first hit the market back in September 2019 seeking €1.1 million.The four-storey over-basement mid-terraced Georgian building has now sold for €940,000, which equates to a capital value of €365 per sq ft for the 2,570sq ft property. It’s understood to have been acquired by an Irish investor who intends to convert it back to residential use, subject to planning permission.

In need of refurbishment, the property was used by Mr Kean, well known for his frequent appearances on television and in the media, for his law firm, which focuses on personal injury claims, as well as acting on behalf of a number of celebrity clients.

However, Mr Kean vacated the property, in a much publicised move, in February of 2019 and the property was subsequently put on the market by its owners, Hong Kong-based Champ Holdings.

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Mr Kean now conducts the business of his law firm from a location on Trinity Street, in Dublin 2.

Original features

The property offers its new owners generous floor-to-ceiling heights and original features including fireplaces and decorative cornicing. The building features an impressive original archway through the building at ground floor level providing access to Fitzwilliam Court.

It is located just off Fitzwilliam Square, in Dublin’s prestigious Georgian quarter, close to many established corporate occupiers including LinkedIn, the IDA, Arthur Cox, and The Medical Council. The adjoining occupiers are the Greek embassy and Pembroke Hall, a serviced office provider.

Colin O’Shea of Colliers, who handled the sale, said there was strong interest from investors and owner occupiers given the building is suitable for a variety of uses.

The area, which was once predominantly home to families of the gentry before being largely used as commercial space, has seen a resurgence in residential activity in recent years.

Fiona Reddan

Fiona Reddan

Fiona Reddan is a writer specialising in personal finance and is the Home & Design Editor of The Irish Times