Plans approved for new development at former Debenhams store in Limerick

PLANNERS have given the green light to multi-million euro plans to convert the landmark former Debenhams building into an 60-room apart-hotel.

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

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

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Limerick City and County Council has green-lit the 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 previously 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 previously told this newspaper.

The former Debenhams building in O’Connell Street has been out of use for three-and-a-half 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.

Among the conditions imposed on the development include that all works be supervised by a Grade II Conservation Architect to ensure all works done to the listed building are in keeping with its architectural heritage.