New retail units along Baggot Street in Dublin are to be built as part of a major extension of the five-star Merrion Hotel, work on which will start in January.

Speaking to The Irish Times, businessman Martin Naughton, a significant stakeholder in the hotel, confirmed that demolition work on an existing office block that fronts on to nearby Baggot Street would begin early next year, and the entire project may be completed within 12 months.

"We're delighted to be able to do the extension in the Merrion, and that's definitely going ahead at the beginning of next year. I think we'll be starting on the Merrion Hotel on the second or third of January," said Mr Naughton, founder of electrical goods firm Glen Dimplex and part-owner of the hotel.

“As well as the extension to the actual hotel we’re going to create a nice row of retail shops along Baggot Street. They say it’s going to take two years, but I can’t see it happening that way, so I would expect it to be 12 months, with two years an outside projection.”

Florist

Its completion will mark the culmination of a long process for Landmark Investment Company, which owns the hotel, after extension plans were delayed last year due to an objection from a nearby florist before planning permission was granted in April.

It is envisaged the expansion will include a new restaurant for the hotel, as well as accommodating an extension to the Michelin two-star Patrick Guilbaud restaurant.

The new wing will have room for 20 suites on three floors above the ground-floor retail units, with a penthouse and garden terrace also included.