RETAIL MARKET:AVOCA HANDWEAVERS is still favourite to take over the Habitat store which closed recently in Dublin city centre.
However, two international traders are also believed to have shown interest in the 2,157sq m (23,217sq ft) store which is rented at €1,315,000 per annum. The building extends to 3,499sq m (37,663sq ft).
Property advisers Kelly Walsh has been appointed to sell the lease by the Habitat receiver, George Maloney of Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon.
Key money of €2 million is now being sought by Kelly Walsh as it launches a marketing campaign to dispose of the lease.
Garvan Walsh says he expects good interest in the store because of its exceptional size and the fact that units of this type are not available on the adjoining Grafton Street. He anticipates that there will also be inquiries from European traders who normally looked for large stores such as this one.
In 2005 Habitat spent more than €2.5 million fitting out the store and installing lifts and air conditioning.
Kelly Walsh says that, at its peak, the store was attracting more than 20,000 people per week.
It has dual frontage on to Suffolk Street and College Green.
