Decision made on plans to redevelop former landmark Limerick hotel

A DECISION has been made on plans to bring a disused hotel, once a landmark in the city, back to life.

Limerick City and County Council planners have cleared the way for a new student residence at the former Railway Hotel, opposite Colbert station to proceed.

The proposals, headed by Signature Trustees and local businessman Mark McMahon, will see the redevelopment of the once popular hotel - which ceased trading in 2016 - at the junction of Parnell Street and Davis Street in the city centre.

Behind this, a new seven-storey building is planned to be constructed.

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Some 111 students will be housed in total across 25 apartments, and in supporting documentation to the council, the developer said there's the potential for it to become a tourist hostel in the summer months outside of the academic year.

Below: Architects' impression of how the new development could appear

Earlier this year the Railway Hotel building, a protected structure, was added to the derelict site listing.

The neighbouring McEnery's general store will be demolished according to the plans, with a three-storey complex erected in its place.

The mammoth development would provide 116 bed spaces in a mix of six studio apartments and 19 apartments.

A ground-floor cafe is planned at Parnell Street, with a laundrette accessible via a courtyard.

The Railway Hotel first opened in 1871 as an old coach inn, standing opposite the city’s railway station.

Minister of State and Limerick TD Niall Collins, whose family owned the former hotel, has welcomed the grant of permission.

He said: "I'm delighted to see it's going to be put into use as student accommodation. We've a shortage of student accommodation and it will help reinvigorate Parnell Street bringing more footfall around the place. All new bed spaces are welcome to the accommodation offering of the city."