The owners of the popular Cava Bodega, Tartare, and Aniar restaurants have been given the green light to open a new restaurant and guesthouse in the city.
Cava Restaurant Ltd, owned by JP McMahon and Drigin Gaffey, have received planning permission to convert the vacant unit at 54 Dominick Street Lower.
Their plans are to convert the three storey terraced building, formerly a bookshop, to a restaurant on the ground and part of the first floor, with a gueshouse on the remainder of the upper floors.
The developer also clarified at the council’s request, that the six bedroom guesthouse will be run as a Bed & Breakfast in conjunction with the restaurant.
Internal refurbishments were redesigned at the council’s request, including moving the replacement stairway on the ground floor.
This is to reduce the impact it will have on the original built fabric of the building, which is a protected structure within an Architectural Conservation area.
Timber sliding sash windows on the upper floors are to be reinstated, and repair and upgrade works will be needed on the roof and rainwater goods.
Several light fittings on the shopfront facade, including the two spotlights below the roof, will be removed to improve its appearance.
The development also includes plans to demolish and replace existing single and two storey extensions to the building.
The planning application states that finding an “economically viable function” for the protected structure will result in its “long-term maintenance and survival” instead of being left vacant.
“The reintroduction of timber sliding sash windows at the first floor level will enhance the appearance of the building both internally and from the street and will be more in keeping with the original character.”
Planning permission for the new restaurant and guesthouse was granted by the city council with 14 conditions attached.
