As I write this, I'm on a whistle-stop tour of Ireland and awaiting room service during a one-night stay at Dublin's Clarence hotel. Rock royalty Bono and U2's guitarist The Edge bought and upgraded this place in 1992. The U2 boys are now set to embark on plans for a complete transformation that could see the Clarence become one of the most talked about hotels on the planet.On 23 July, Ireland's planning authority ruled against objections from heritage campaigners, effectively giving the green light for an ambitious €150 million (£118.5 million) redevelopment plan. This 49-room boutique hideaway in the heart of the Temple Bar area is to be transformed into a futuristic 150-room five-star luxury landmark.
Bono has brought in Lord Norman Foster's crack squad of architects to do the designs and from what I'm told, they're best described as viking sci-fi.
At the heart of the project is a sculptural "sky catcher" which, apparently "embraces the main public spaces and pulls daylight deep into the base of the hotel." Shaped like a vertical viking longboat, this sky catcher will emerge at roof level to form a skyroom and viewing terrace.All being well with the red tape, the redevelopment will begin next year and open in 2011. It just wouldn't be Bono if the plans didn't also include ambitions to be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly mixed-use hotel, spa and conference facility in Europe.
Only the quayside facades of the existing hotel and adjoining buildings - all of which are protected structures - will be retained, although the oak panelling from the Clarence's Octagon Bar is to be salvaged for re-use. Well, it was where Bono and The Edge spent most of their time before deciding to buy the place. And it was probably where they hatched this crazy plan to turn the spotlight on an under-invested area of Dublin. This is definitely one to watch.
