UrbanRedevelopment: The Galway property developer Gerry Barrett has bought the distinctive Victorian University Hall in Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for over €16 million.

The purchase comes in the same week as Mr Barrett's company, Radical Properties, is to launch Edward Square, a top-of-the-range apartment and housing scheme on the site of the former Quaker Hospital, off Morehampton Road in Donnybrook.

Mr Barrett is also developing a major new shopping centre in Drogheda and has two hotels under construction in Galway and Drogheda. The likelihood is that Hatch Hall will also be converted into a hotel to give the hotel group representation in Dublin. The current zoning will allow the 4,100 sq m (44,131 sq ft) listed building to be used as a hotel. The hall has been used as a residential university hall by the Jesuit order for the past 90 years. The elegant redbrick structure is designed with an internal courtyard flanked by three spacious residential blocks. One of these includes the hall's own chapel.

Although Hatch Street connects directly to main arteries Lower Leeson Street and Earlsfort Terrace, it has remained a relatively quiet place that is close to everything in central Dublin.