Friends Provident has emerged as the buyer at £7 million of five adjoining Georgian houses in Leeson Street, Dublin 2. Three large Georgian buildings formerly occupied by Ansbacher Bank are to be restored and let as offices and while a decision has not yet been made on the future of the two other adjoining buildings, it is possible they may be sold on. Friends Provident is also likely to seek planning permission for between 20,000 sq ft and 25,000 sq ft of offices at the rear. A mews house at the Adelaide Road/Leeson Street junction will be restored to residential use and sold on. The entire property was sold by the Fitzpatrick's Hotel Group after An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for a four-star hotel with 140 bedrooms.