€50 Million Hotel Planned for Cork City Centre, Boosting Tourism Sector

Cork city centre is poised for a significant boost to its hospitality sector with the approval of a €50 million, 180-bedroom hotel development. The project, spearheaded by Starstone Property Group, will be located at the junction of Lower Oliver Plunkett Street and Connell Street, a site previously considered for the now-abandoned Prism office block .

Project Details and Timeline

Construction is slated to commence in the third quarter of 2026 on the 0.07-hectare site, located behind the former Eircom building at No. 5 Lapps Quay . The hotel will range in height from five to ten storeys and will be operated by Ruby Hotel Group, a Munich-based hospitality company recently acquired by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) .

“Lean Luxury” Concept

Ruby Hotels is known for its “lean luxury” philosophy, which Starstone describes as offering “stylish, high-quality city centre hotels at affordable rates” . The novel hotel will feature a fully equipped gym and a contemporary dining space.

Starstone’s Expanding Portfolio

Starstone group director Patrick McDermott expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to enhance Cork’s tourism and business landscape . Starstone Property has been actively expanding its hospitality investments, with plans for an aparthotel in Ashbourne, County Meath, similarly underway . The group also recently acquired Loftus Hall in County Wexford, intending to transform it into an agri-based hotel and estate .

Broader Hotel Development in Cork

This development is part of a wider wave of hotel construction in Cork City. A Marriott-brand hotel, the 148-bed Moxy Hotel and Residence Inn, is already open on Camden Quay. Further projects include a Premier Inn development at Morrison’s Quay (opened January 2024) and a second Premier Inn planned for the junction of MacCurtain Street and Brian Boru Street , . Work is progressing on an aparthotel conversion of buildings at 31-33 South Terrace, expected to operate under the Adagio brand .

Planning Considerations

Cork City Council granted permission for the Starstone development despite some objections from local residents regarding potential traffic impacts, loss of privacy and sunlight, and the impact on the historic streetscape . However, council planners determined that the proposed height was not out of character with the city centre’s existing skyline , .

Demolition and Construction

The project will involve the demolition of a vacant, two-storey commercial building . The site is adjacent to the seven-storey No. 5 Lapps Quay and across the river from City Hall.