German ambassador objects to Howl at the Moon redevelopment

The German ambassador has appealed a decision by planners to allow the demolition of Howl at the Moon nightclub in Dublin 2 so a 53-room hotel can be built on the site.

Press Up Entertainment, one of the country’s largest pub and food chains which is controlled by Paddy McKillen Jnr, acquired the property on Lower Mount Street last year for a price believed to be in the region of €3.2 million.

German ambassador Matthias Hopfner, along with three other interested parties, has appealed Dublin City Council’s decision to An Bord Pleanála.

In an observation made to the council before it granted planning permission last May, Mr Hopfner noted that work on the redevelopment of the Irish headquarters of the Goethe-Institut, a German cultural body, was under way at 37 Merrion Square.

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Mr Hopfner said while there was no issue with the proposed use of the Howl at the Moon site, “the property at 37 Merrion Square East will be directly and negatively impacted by the proposed development”.

“I would ask the local authority to consider requiring a reduction to the scale, size and height of the proposal as experienced from the rear in order that the character of the gardens and mews structures to the protected structures on Merrion Square would not be unduly affected.”

An Bord Pleanála is expected to make a final decision on the development on October 19th.

Portfolio

Press Up Entertainment Group, which said it had no comment on the matter, has a portfolio which includes the Dean Hotel, Angelina’s, The Workman’s Club and the Liquor Rooms.

The proposed Lower Mount Street hotel would feature a bar and reception area at ground level, and a rooftop restaurant with outdoor terraces. The 53 guest rooms will be spread over four floors, while the basement will accommodate function and meeting rooms.

One resident, who has been living in the Merrion Square area for the last 30 years, said he was concerned the “historical social fabric” could be lost as a result of such developments.

"Ironically we have a tourist boom, and they're coming here to see our architecture and our Georgian buildings and we're actually demolishing them," he told The Irish Times.

“You know they’re not coming here to see Dundrum shopping centre...I’m just thinking we’re kind of killing the golden goose by demolishing the very thing they’re coming here to see.”

The German embassy said it was not in a position to comment on the matter.