Local Businesses Challenge Eamon Waters’ Hostel Plans in Dublin

Plans for a new 273-bed tourist hostel on Dublin’s Drury Street by Eamon Waters’ company, Balrath Investments, have sparked significant objections from local businesses. Concerns focus on the potential for increased on-street drinking and the transformation of the area into a tourist hotspot similar to Temple Bar.

The proposed development involves converting the first to fourth floors of Maryland House, located at 20-21 William Street South and 50-51 Drury Street, from office space to tourist accommodation. The design includes a total of 44 bedrooms, which would house up to 273 guests in a mix of four- to eight-person dormitory-style units.

Local retailer Madeline Blaine, owner of The Collective Jewellers, voiced her objections to the Dublin City Council, stating that the area already struggles with issues related to public drinking. “This is an ongoing problem that the council is already well aware of. Allowing yet another unneeded bar is just worsening the existing situation,” Blaine emphasized. She expressed concern that the hostel’s budget-friendly approach would attract lower-spending tourists, which could detract from the shopping experience in the area.

Blaine further remarked, “If businesses like mine are going to survive, we should be attracting a higher money bracket to this street, where people can browse and shop in relative calm and ease.” She believes that the plans could cause “irreparable damage” not only to her business but also to other nearby establishments.

Another local business, SW Restaurant Ltd, which operates SOLE Seafood and Grill at 18/19 South William Street, does not oppose the development outright. However, the firm’s solicitor, John McMullin, urged the council to consider the application carefully in light of ongoing issues with crowd control and littering in the area. He warned that the proposed hostel could “exacerbate those problems.”

In defense of the project, Brock McClure, a planning consultant for Balrath Investments, argued that the development would enhance street activity during evenings and create job opportunities in what he described as a pivotal location.

As the controversy unfolds, the Dublin City Council has placed the application on hold, requesting that the applicants address various design and transport issues. The outcome of this proposal could significantly impact not only the local economy but also the character of Drury Street.