If developer Garrett Kelleher gets planning permission to open a restaurant in the former Bank of America building on St Stephen's Green, Ireland's top chefs may not have to travel far next time they want to trade insults with each other.
The two front-runners for the new establishment are Richard Corrigan and Dylan McGrath of Mint Restaurant in Ranelagh, whose culinary credentials are as prominent as their opinions of battery chicken farming and the Gordon Ramsay-style work ethic.
According to industry sources, McGrath, who garnered notoriety recently for his public rows with fellow gastronomes Kevin Dundon and Kevin Thornton, has been on the lookout for more expansive premises since achieving his much-coveted Michelin star last January.
Corrigan, too, has publicly declared his intention of opening a city centre restaurant following his departure from The Village at Lyons Demesne, which was restored and developed by the late Ryanair entrepreneur, Dr Tony Ryan.
One well-placed source says Corrigan will opt for Kelleher's property if the developer gains planning permission. But there has also been speculation the Meath man, who became a household name after branding Irish chickens as "muck", is in discussions with the owners of Browne's restaurant. That raises the possibility of all three Michelin star chefs vying for trade on Dublin's premier square.
When Kelleher bought the mock Georgian office block on the corner of St Stephen's Green and Hume Street last year for just under €16 million, the market consensus was that he would convert the building into a luxury residential development.
Some in the industry believe this is still Kelleher's intention despite his plans for a high-end restaurant on the ground floor.
According to records lodged with the company registration office, Kelleher and his property group Shelbourne Developments, purchased the former Bank of America offices through a limited company called Vermillion Properties.
The documents also show that Bank of Scotland (Ireland) financed the deal, although the value of the mortgage is not listed.
Vermillion Properties, which is jointly owned by Kelleher and Shelbourne Developments, lodged a planning application last month to turn the basement of the office block into a kitchen and convert the ground floor into a restaurant. Permission was also sought for restaurant signage at Hume Street, indicating the new establishment will not be accessed via the building's St Stephen's Green entrance.
Kelleher, who is spearheading the construction of the Chicago Spire, ranks as one of Ireland's wealthiest developers.
His company's portfolio of Irish properties was recently valued at between €700 million and €800 million after Royal Bank of Scotland purchased a 23 per stake in the assets.
Shelbourne Development's portfolio includes the former Department of Justice building at 75 St Stephen's Green, Findlater House on O'Connell Street, a three-acre development site in Tallaght, west Dublin and Royal Sun & Alliance's former offices on Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
