IRFU seeks development partner for hotel and residential development opposite Aviva Stadium
The Lansdowne Quarter, is envisaged as a hotel and residential apartment development, with food, beverage and conferencing facilities
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is seeking expressions of interest for a partner to design, build, finance and operate a landmark hotel and residential development on Lansdowne Road, directly adjacent to the Aviva Stadium. The opportunity is offered under a long-term ground lease, with the IRFU retaining the freehold interest in the site.
The proposed scheme, known as Lansdowne Quarter, is envisaged as a 257-key hotel and 77-unit residential apartment development, with extensive food and beverage and conferencing facilities. The site is being brought to the market without planning permission, providing the incoming development partner with the flexibility to shape the final design, configuration and overall positioning of the scheme.
From a hotel perspective, the location is supported by a robust and diverse demand profile. The Aviva Stadium is a significant driver in this regard, hosting international rugby and football fixtures, as well as concerts and large-scale events throughout the year. Since opening in 2010, the stadium has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and hosted more than 330 events. Together with nearby venues such as the RDS and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the location attracts both domestic and international visitors year-round.
Prime Dubin address
The proximity of the site to key employment centres such as Ballsbridge, Grand Canal Dock and Dublin Docklands underpins strong corporate demand.
From a residential standpoint, the site is ideally positioned within a prime Dublin address, commanding the highest residential real estate prices in the city. The location benefits from strong connectivity, as the site lies adjacent to Lansdowne Road DART Station, providing convenient access to Dublin city centre and surrounding suburbs. Major employment hubs, and the close proximity of key international corporates in the Docklands area, further enhance the location’s appeal. A strong amenity offering, including a range of restaurants, cafés, Herbert Park and Sandymount Strand, further contributes to its attractiveness as a high-quality residential setting.
CBRE said they expect strong interest from both Irish and international parties to develop the site
CBRE has been appointed by the IRFU to seek proposals from developers and operators for this prestigious development. Paul Collins, head of Hotel Brokerage UK & Ireland at CBRE, said: “This is a superb opportunity to deliver a flagship scheme in one of Dublin’s most sought-after locations, so we expect strong interest from both Irish and international parties. The combination of a stadium-adjacent site, exceptional connectivity and strong underlying demand fundamentals in both the hotel and residential sectors makes Lansdowne Quarter a compelling proposition for developers and operators alike.”
Darragh Deasy, director, Development Land at CBRE, added: “The scale of the development, combined with the flexibility around planning and design, allows a partner to create a scheme that fully responds to both market demand and the character of the surrounding area.”
Kevin Potts, CEO of the IRFU, added: “This process allows the IRFU to unlock the long-term potential of a strategically important site, while also retaining ownership of the land. Importantly, the development will be wholly funded by the successful development partner. The resulting lease income will provide a long-term and significant new revenue stream for Irish Rugby that will be invested into all levels of the game across Ireland.”
“We also recognise the wider value a scheme of this nature can deliver for the city more broadly. Additional hotel capacity and new homes are important elements of Dublin’s future growth, and a high-quality development we hope will contribute positively to both.”
