THE former British Embassy at Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, is to be converted into an exclusive apart-hotel by the new owners. Planning permission has been sought to convert the two large Victorian houses into 27 suites. The link between the two houses will be upgraded to accommodate a reception area. Liam Kelly of the development company said the apart-hotel would be run on the same lines as Stephen's Hall at Leeson Street.
More than £1.5 million will be spent on converting and modernising the two houses. The apart-hotel will clearly benefit from the proposed national conference centre, which is expected to be built in the grounds of the RDS. A new five-star hotel is also planned for the RDS grounds. Many of the large houses on Merrion Road have been converted into guest houses in recent years.
Capel Developments, which paid £3.1 million for the embassy buildings and a 1.5-acre site, has lodged a planning application to develop 32 apartments at the rear of the site. Prices are likely to range from £250,000 to £450,000.
