PHOTOGRAPHED 13 APRIL 2025

The Mercantile Hotel, Dame Street: A Review of Recent Redevelopment, Historical Evolution, and Ownership Changes

The Mercantile Hotel, prominently situated at 28 Dame Street in Dublin’s city centre, is a well-known landmark within the bustling commercial, retail, and entertainment district. Its strategic location offers easy access to Grafton Street and the vibrant nightlife of Temple Bar. This analysis examines the hotel, focusing on its recently completed extension and restoration, the structures demolished to facilitate this work, its historical development since its establishment in 1835, and changes in its ownership. Given its long-standing presence in Dublin’s urban landscape, the Mercantile Hotel’s recent significant transformation merits a detailed review of its evolution.

The consistent emphasis across various sources on the hotel’s central location highlights its enduring importance to Dublin’s social and economic fabric. Having served the city since 1835 signifies a deep historical connection to the area’s development. The extensive renovations, following a five-year closure, suggest a substantial reinvestment and a likely strategic repositioning within Dublin’s competitive hospitality market. This prolonged closure strongly indicates that the project involved significant structural modifications, including the extension, and a complete overhaul of the hotel’s amenities and design, which would have undoubtedly had economic consequences for the hotel and potentially surrounding businesses.

The fully revamped Mercantile Hotel has now reopened, or is about to reopen, after a comprehensive five-year renovation. A significant aspect of this redevelopment is the substantial increase in its accommodation capacity, now offering 105 bedrooms – a remarkable 275% rise from its previous 28 rooms. This expansion was achieved through a new rear extension and the addition of an extra floor to the existing structure. The project strongly emphasised both this expansion and the preservation of the hotel’s architectural heritage through a significant conservation and redevelopment initiative. This included the meticulous refurbishment of the original street-facing façades and the careful restoration of traditional sash windows, key features of Georgian architecture. Furthermore, modern alterations that were unsympathetic to the building’s original style were removed to reveal its authentic Georgian character. The new design is described as a harmonious blend of “Georgian elegance meets contemporary Dublin”, drawing inspiration from Dublin’s 19th-century commercial and exploratory past to create a fresh and appealing atmosphere. The revitalised hotel also features new amenities, including a restaurant with a menu curated by the renowned chef Stephen Gibson, and the addition of “Café28”, suggesting a new or significantly upgraded café space. The reopening has also had a positive economic impact, creating 80 new jobs within Dublin’s hospitality sector. The key entities involved in this extensive refurbishment project include The Mercantile Group (the client and operator), Adston Construction (likely the main contractor), Michael Fitzpatrick Architects (responsible for the architectural design and potentially conservation aspects), and Millimetre Design (overseeing the interior design).

The significant increase in bedroom capacity and the addition of both a rear extension and an entire floor strongly suggest a considerable expansion of the hotel’s physical footprint, potentially necessitating the acquisition of adjacent properties or the presence of substantial undeveloped space. The deliberate combination of Georgian architectural elements with contemporary design reflects a strategic approach to appeal to a wide range of guests, respecting the building’s historical significance while providing modern comforts. The engagement of specialised architectural and design firms indicates a professional and likely high-quality execution of the renovation and extension project.

Planning documentation identifies the development site as Nos. 24-28 Dame Street, encompassing both The Mercantile Hotel (Nos. 26-28) and the adjacent Dame House (Nos. 24-25). Permission was granted for the “partial demolition of existing structure (internal and external)”. This included the removal of the existing 5th-floor mansard roof of the Mercantile Hotel to facilitate the construction of a new amalgamated mansard roof and a set-back 6th floor for both buildings. Planning application 3278/21, an amendment to the original permission, further detailed the scope of demolition, including work at the basement and ground floors, removal of the first-floor roof, and alterations to the southern and western external walls. Notably, this amendment also included the demolition of the rear of No. 27 Dame Street, part of the Mercantile Hotel, to accommodate the new rear extension.

Crucially, the redevelopment involved the “amalgamation of Dame House with the existing Mercantile Hotel from 1st to 4th floor levels”. Dame House, described as a five-storey over basement building with a ground-floor café/restaurant and offices above, was therefore integrated into the expanded hotel rather than being demolished. The “partial demolition” primarily involved internal modifications within both buildings and the removal of the original mansard roof to enable the new design. The specific demolition of the rear of No. 27 Dame Street indicates that the new rear extension was constructed on this site. However, the provided information does not specify what businesses or structures were located there previously.

The objection to the planning permission by John Synnott & Co, a solicitor’s firm located on the first floor of Dame House, confirms a direct impact on existing businesses within Dame House due to the change of use from office space to hotel rooms. While deemed a separate legal matter by planning authorities, the objection highlights the displacement of at least one long-term tenant. Further research beyond these snippets would be needed to identify the specific businesses that occupied the ground-floor café/restaurant and the upper-floor offices within Dame House before its integration with the Mercantile Hotel.

The Mercantile Hotel boasts a long and significant history, dating back to its establishment in 1835. According to the Buildings of Ireland survey, the property at 27-28 Dame Street originated around 1800 as two separate houses: a two-bay house to the west and a three-bay house to the east, both featuring shops on the ground floor. Around 1870, these were combined and altered to form a larger, five-bay hotel building. In 1906, an attic storey was added, further modifying its structure. Throughout its history, the premises has served as both a hotel and a public house. The façade has been unified with its neighbour at Nos. 24-26 (Dame House), somewhat altering the original vertical emphasis of the terrace. Despite these changes, the building retains some Georgian character, including a public passageway with an ornate wrought-iron sign reading ‘Hotel’. An addition to the building is also noted as an early example of the Hennebique system of reinforced concrete framing in Dublin.

The evolution of the Mercantile Hotel from early 19th-century houses to a unified hotel in the late 19th century reflects the changing urban landscape of Dublin and the adaptation of buildings to commercial needs. The subsequent alterations in 1906 and the recent major renovation indicate a continuous process of modernisation. The early adoption of the Hennebique system of reinforced concrete highlights the hotel’s historical connection to innovative construction techniques.

The post THE MERCANTILE HOTEL IS ABOUT TO REOPEN AND THE EXTENSION AND RESTORATION APPEARS TO BE COMPLETE appeared first on URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025.

SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2025

Myself and a group of friends met up for a meal at Luigi Malones once a week for about seven years (2000 – 2008) so I was a bit upset when I discovered that the restaurant’s final day was today.

My favourite restaurant Eatokyo On Capel Street closed at the end of January and I expect further bad news about another restaurant within the next month. I should also mention that Desi Crew on South Richmond Street has also closed a few weeks ago. Note: Eatokyo in Temple Bar has survived and is doing very well.

The establishment of the Luigi Malones brand in Ireland can be traced definitively to 1997. Multiple sources confirm that the first restaurant under this name opened in Stillorgan, a suburb of Dublin, during that year. This marks the formal beginning of the restaurant chain within the Irish market. My family home was in Stillorgan but I have no recollection of the restaurant in Stillorgan.

In 1999, a significant strategic move occurred with the relocation of the Dublin operation from Stillorgan to the heart of the city’s cultural and nightlife quarter, Temple Bar. The new premises were located at 5-6 Cecilia Street , occupying two floors and a mezzanine level within a building noted for its historical significance, with records dating back centuries. This relocation positioned the restaurant prominently within a high-footfall area, catering to both locals and the significant tourist traffic in Temple Bar.

The brand identity cultivated during this period centred around the motto “For Food – For Fun – For Friends!”. The menu concept drew inspiration from international travels, aiming for broad appeal with a mix of cuisines. Core offerings included popular Italian-American style dishes such as freshly made pasta, pizzas, and Buffalo wings, alongside signature desserts like their Toblerone Cheesecake.

Interestingly, promotional materials on the restaurant’s own platforms reference an earlier connection to Munich, Germany, specifically mentioning serving Fischer’s Helles beer there in the late 1980s. The narrative states, “When Luigi’s moved to Ireland, we brought Fischer’s with us”. While this detail forms part of the company’s self-presented story, potentially relating to a prior venture by the founders or a conceptual origin, it does not alter the documented founding date and location of the Irish Luigi Malones chain. The consistent reporting across various sources points to Stillorgan in 1997 as the inception point for the business entity analysed in this report. The phrasing used regarding the move to Ireland further suggests that the Irish operation, starting in 1997, is considered distinct from any previous activity in Munich.

Cork Branch

The expansion into Cork occurred in 1999, coinciding with the move to Temple Bar in Dublin. This suggests a period of significant growth and investment for the brand. The Cork restaurant was established at 1-2 Emmett Place, a prime city-centre location directly opposite the Cork Opera House.  

Described as one of the largest restaurants in Cork , the venue became known for its distinctive interior decor. Notable features include a large, two-sided clock reportedly originating from St. Pancras Station in London, serving as a centrepiece around the bar area. There is also an anecdotal belief that one of the propellers from the historic Vickers Vimy aircraft, flown by Alcock and Brown on the first non-stop transatlantic flight, is displayed within the Cork restaurant , adding to its unique character.  

The Cork branch successfully established itself and has demonstrated considerable longevity. It remained operational following the closure of the Dublin branch in April 2025. As part of the Dublin closure announcement, it was confirmed that the Cork restaurant would honour any outstanding gift vouchers issued by the Dublin location. The restaurant maintains an active presence, listed on various dining platforms with current operating hours and contact information readily available. It appears integrated into the local dining scene, mentioned in contexts ranging from family outings to general restaurant discussions.

Limerick Branch

Luigi Malones also operated a branch in Limerick City. It was situated in a prominent location on O’Connell Street , opposite The Royal George hotel , in premises that historically housed a Woolworths store and, even earlier, the original site of a local bank. Like its sister restaurants, the Limerick venue was noted for its decor and catered to a broad audience, including families, with specific meal deals and kids’ menus advertised. Its presence is confirmed by mentions in online forums discussing Limerick dining options around 2006.  

However, the Limerick expansion ultimately proved unsuccessful. The restaurant ceased trading in January 2011. News reports from June 2011, discussing plans by another restaurant group to take over the vacant unit, explicitly state that the Luigi Malones closure occurred in January of that year due to “financial difficulties”.  

The failure of the Limerick branch represents an important data point in the chain’s history. Occurring more than a decade before the Dublin closure, it demonstrates that the brand was not immune to financial pressures and that profitability challenges existed within the group well before the difficulties experienced in Dublin in the 2020s. This suggests that factors beyond localised issues, potentially related to expansion strategy, operational costs, or specific market conditions in Limerick at the time, could impact the viability of individual branches within the chain. It serves as an early indicator that the group’s financial health was not uniformly robust across all locations or throughout its entire operational history.

The closure of the Luigi Malones restaurant in Temple Bar on April 13, 2025, marked the end of a 28-year trading history at that location. Over the years, it had become a well-known establishment, described as “iconic” or “beloved” and frequented by various groups, including long-term patrons and visiting students.

The closure announcement released by the restaurant operators presented a clear narrative regarding the decision to cease trading.  

Primary Catalyst – Street Works: The immediate and decisive factor cited was the impact of extensive street works undertaken directly outside the restaurant premises in early 2025. The announcement expressed “deep frustration” that the business had been “effectively barricaded” for three months.

Critically, these works significantly overran their initially communicated schedule; the operators stated they were told the project would take one month but it ultimately lasted over three. This prolonged disruption directly caused turnover to “plummet”. The resulting financial loss was described as “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” making continued trading impossible without damaging stakeholders. This explanation was consistently reported across multiple news outlets covering the closure.
 
Contributing Factors: Alongside the acute impact of the street works, the owners acknowledged underlying pressures. These included the “gradual but general decline in trade in Dublin City Centre for various reasons known to myself and others compounded by “inflationary pressures that have made it impossible for our operation to trade at a profit”. This aligns with broader commentary on the challenges facing the hospitality sector, with the CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland noting the “razor-thin margins” in the industry when commenting on the closure.

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PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

Northwood is a large development located in Santry, Dublin 9. It comprises a mix of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities, all set within a 90-acre public park.  

The development is conveniently located close to Dublin Airport and the city centre, with easy access to the M50 and other major roads. It is also well-served by public transportation, with several bus routes passing through the area.  

Northwood is a popular place to live and work, offering a high quality of life and a wide range of amenities. The park provides a great space for recreation and relaxation, while the commercial and retail areas offer a variety of shops, restaurants, and businesses.  

Some of the key features of Northwood include:

Northwood Park: A large public park with a playground, walking trails, and a lake.

Northwood Business Campus: A commercial area with offices, shops, and restaurants.
 
The Crowne Plaza Hotel: A 4-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, and fitness centre.

The Sports Surgery Clinic: A private hospital specialising in sports medicine.

Residential areas: A variety of apartments and houses

Overall, Northwood is a well-planned and well-maintained development that offers a great place to live, work, and visit.

The post MY FIRST VISIT TO NORTHWOOD SANTRY DUBLIN 9 appeared first on URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025.

PHOTOGRAPHED 31 JANUARY 2025

My exploration of Santry Demesne Public Park began with a ride on the new E1 bus to Northwood. Intrigued by this terminus, I ventured into the area and, trusting my sense of direction, soon found myself near Morton Stadium and the adjacent park. (As an aside, during my time at B+I Shipping, I shared an office with Billy Morton’s brother – whose name escapes me, though he always introduced himself by his famous sibling).

The park proved far larger than I’d imagined. Santry Demesne occupies the grounds of a once-grand house and gardens, originally built in 1703 on the site of a medieval dwelling. The house fell into disrepair around the turn of the 20th century, with local stories offering various explanations. A devastating fire in 1947 sealed its fate, and the house was finally demolished in 1959.

Despite its destruction, traces of the house’s former splendour remain. Visitors can still see the foundations, front steps, tree avenue, and walled garden. In June 2003, Fingal County Council took over Santry Demesne, transforming it into a valuable public amenity.

Today, the park offers a children’s playground, a network of paths for walkers, joggers, and dog walkers, and free car parking just inside the main gates. The Community Garden, within the Walled Garden, is flourishing, boasting a Kitchen Garden and Heritage Orchard established for over two years. The front section is currently being developed into a Recreational Garden, soon to be open to the public more regularly.

While the original stone temple from the Domvile family’s Templeogue residence (moved to Luggala in County Wicklow in 1858) is no longer in Santry, a facsimile stands in its place. The original Phoenix Folly, however, remains a key feature, echoing the more famous Phoenix Column in Phoenix Park.

The Phoenix Folly draws inspiration from the 1747 monument in Phoenix Park, commissioned by the 4th Earl of Chesterfield. This column, topped with a mythical phoenix, was a prominent feature on the park’s main avenue, though later moved. It is thought to have commemorated the park’s opening to the public, symbolising a new era of access for Dubliners.

Santry Demesne’s Phoenix Folly faithfully recreates the original column’s key architectural elements, showcasing neoclassical elegance. The Corinthian column, with its fluted shaft and intricately carved capital, exemplifies this style, while the ornate base and sculpted phoenix enhance its aesthetic appeal.

The post SANTRY DEMESNE PUBLIC PARK – I HAD NOT REALISED THE EXTENT OF THIS PUBLIC PARK UNTIL THIS VISIT appeared first on URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025.

PHOTOGRAPHED FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2025

As already mentioned Eatokyo on Capel Street closed last Sunday [26 January 2025]. Tomorrow, less than a week later, Tucano opens at the same location and hopefully they will be a major addition to Capel Street which is developing as the best alternative to Temple Bar. As I have a policy of supporting local restaurants I plan to visit Tucano over the weekend.

The post TUCANO OPENS TOMORROW REPLACING EATOKYO AT 11 CAPEL STREET appeared first on URBAN CARTOGRAPHER 2025.