Plans for new 60-bedroom hotel at Landmark building in Limerick

A SIXTY-ROOM apart-hotel is planned for a landmark retail building in the city centre.

As exclusively revealed by the Limerick Leader, the former Debenhams building in O’Connell Street was acquired by Galway-based developer Michael McDonagh late last year.

Now, he has outlined plans to revamp the upper floors to accommodate an apart-hotel with 60 rooms for both tourists and business people visiting Limerick.

“It’s on a good corner, in the middle of town, near the river. I felt accommodation was the best use for the upper floors. It will bring life back to this end of the city,” the developer told the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live.

Developer confirms plans to revive former Debenhams building in Limerick

An apart-hotel is a type of hotel providing self-catering apartments as well as some ordinary hotel facilities – although Mr McDonagh has ruled out a food and beverage offering at the listed building.

Limerick City and County Council has confirmed it has received a planning application from his firm Dalespell with the proposal seeking to change the use of the upper floors while retaining retail use on the ground and basement floors.

Mr McDonagh said he has already had interest from some big retailers, including those in the food and clothing sector to take the shop space on the ground floor.

“I love this building and I just want to get it working again,” he added.

The former Debenhams building in O’Connell Street has been out of use for just over three years.

This came after the collapse of the British retail chain in 2020, which saw the loss of 110 jobs in Limerick.

The other 10 Debenhams stores nationwide closed.

Debenhams had occupied the building in Limerick, at the junction of Sarsfield Street and O’Connell Street since 2006 after it acquired Roches Stores.

Following its shuttering, it was placed on the market with an asking price of €9m.

Since acquiring the building, Mr McDonagh has held regular meetings with council executives.

He’s also been engaged on the planned redevelopment of the Arthur’s Quay area as part of the World Class Waterfront scheme.