5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
New owner of Dublin's Shelbourne hotel plans €50m renovation
The renovation, beginning in October 2025, starts a year after the hotel marked its 200th anniversary in business in 2024, and comes relatively quickly after a €35m refurbishment under previous owner Kennedy Wilson that included a restoration of the building exterior.
The Shelbourne was bought by Archer Capital from the US investment company in March 2024 for a reported €240m.
Archer Hotel Capital, a Dutch investment firm, owns a large number of hotels in Europe with a total value of €3.5bn.
The planned refurbishment will focus on 226 guestrooms, specifically the Queen, Deluxe and Heritage Premium categories, with the plans led by Irish designer Bryan O'Sullivan who has previously worked on prestigious London hotels such as Claridge's and The Connaught.
'The Shelbourne is a historically important building, not just for Dublin, but for Ireland,' he said. 'From the beginning, we have approached this project with an aspiration to honour the legacy of the building and to craft a guest experience that feels authentic, timeless and grounded in place.'
The re-design will aim to have a mix of classic heritage details with a modern-day touch, he said.
The refurbished interiors will include works by Irish artist Louis le Brocquy, and collaborations with Dublin's Kerlin Gallery.
JP Kavanagh, general manager of The Shelbourne, welcomed the refurbishment: 'It has been a privilege to escort this great lady through her 200th year,' he said.
'With the owners' investment, it will preserve the hotel's legacy while further enhancing our offering. The next chapter in the significant history of this beloved Dublin landmark is being written with elegance and intention.'
