Cork's Leonardo Hotel granted permission for extensions

The two developments will bring the current 133 rooms at the hotel to 161.  Picture Dan Linehan

Planning permission has been granted for changes to Cork's Leonardo Hotel that would add eight further bedrooms.

The owner, the Pandox Group, had sought the go-ahead to demolish the existing windowed section of the hotel, at its northern and eastern elevations on the corner of Anderson’s Quay and Custom House Street.

The demolition would make way for the construction of a new five-storey extension, which would include several minor adjustments to the entrance and reception area of the premises. The new bedrooms would be located on levels one through four.

The scheme also expands the reception, adds an access ramp and new signage. The corner extension is intended as a new architectural feature marking the hotel entrance, using light-grey brick and light-grey stone cladding, contrasting with the existing red-brick facade.

Planners this week granted permission for the change. The hotel has already received permission for alterations at the western end through the development of a five-storey extension. This will provide the hotel with an additional 20 bedrooms, a new staff canteen, a linen room, a switch room, and a new rooftop plant area.

The two developments will bring the current 133 rooms at the hotel to 161.

Originally a Jurys Inn hotel, the chain was acquired by the Swedish hotel group Pandox and Israeli group Fattal Hotels from US private equity group Lone Star for £800m in 2017.