Construction has commenced on a new Premier Inn hotel in the heart of Dublin city.

Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash, has been appointed as the principal contractor for the Whitbread PLC development which is an important part of the regeneration of one of Dublin's most iconic department stores.

The 229-bedroom hotel will be based at Earl Place, just off O'Connell Street, and will form part of a mixed-use development of Clerys Quarter, a new city centre destination that will regenerate Dublin's landmark street.

Gilbert-Ash's scope of works at the former warehouse site include the construction of an eight-storey hotel plus basement and roof, with restaurant and reception on the ground floor.

Gilbert-Ash Project Director, Sean Doran, said: "Gilbert-Ash has a long-standing and excellent working relationship with Whitbread and we look forward to continuing this with the Clerys development.

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"For generations, the Clerys Department Store was an iconic Dublin landmark, and it is great to see the development work that has already gone on there. The Premier Inn hotel project forms part of the wider Clerys Quarter regeneration which will breathe new life into this historic location in the heart of the city.

"Gilbert-Ash has an exceptional record delivering stand out projects in the hotels and leisure sector and we look forward to delivering another superb addition to Dublin’s expanding hospitality industry."

Whitbread acquired the development site in summer 2022 as part of its strategy to expand Premier Inn in Ireland, securing full planning permission to build the hotel from Dublin City Council in June 2023.

The hotel, which is set for completion in summer 2026, will offer Premier Inn's latest generation style bedrooms, and will be designed to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' target sustainability rating in line with Whitbread's 'Force for Good' sustainability strategy.

Emma O'Shiel, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread in Ireland, said: "Dublin is a vibrant, high-demand market for both domestic and international travellers, and this hotel will offer guests an unbeatable city-centre location within one of Dublin’s most iconic and interesting areas.

"We are thrilled to be contributing to the regeneration of such a beloved landmark and to bring the Premier Inn experience to more guests in Ireland."

The Clerys department store has been refurbished for a mix of business, retail and leisure uses with the development set to be fully open this year.

To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com.

For more on Whitbread plc, visit www.whitbread.co.uk.