The Wright Group has secured the planning green light to transform Dylan McGrath’s former Rustic Stone restaurant in Dublin into a gastro-pub.
The planning permission granted by Dublin City Council to Mink Fusion Ltd comes 10 months after celebrity chef, Dylan McGrath shut down Rustic Stone and Brasserie Sixty Six, both located on South Great Georges Street, on the same day on August 15 last.
At the time an email to customers said: “Both have been very successful restaurants in Dublin city for a long time, but the time has come where we have decided it’s simply not sustainable anymore.”
Plans were lodged by Mink Fusion Ltd in February for the change of use application and the Council stalled the project in April when asking the firm’s conservation proposals for the property which is part of a Victorian commercial development dating from 1881.
However, in a response, Anthony Brabazon of ABA Architects, stated that while a “conservation gain” is desirable in principle it may not be financially feasible and that this could be carried out at a later time mindful of the fact that the current proposed works involve no removal of original features.
Mr Brabazon pointed out that Mink Fusion “as tenants under a lease, are paying substantial rent and would like to get the business open”.
He stated that Mink Fusion “would therefore find the onus of a full restoration, which would involve significant procurement of replacement elements as well as the entire shop front screens on two streets, a major obstacle in their goal to bring the unit back to use”.
In response to Mr Brabazon’s comment, the Council’s Conservation Division had no objection to the scheme on condition which has specified that a conservation expert is to be employed to design, manage, monitor and implement the works and to ensure adequate protection of the retained and historic fabric during the works.
A letter of consent has confirmed the owners of the property as Thomas Brendan O’Mara, Laura O’Mara, Claire O’Mara, Susan O’Mara and Alison O’Mara.
A planning report lodged with the application by Manahan Planners has stated that a gastropub operation “offers a more sustainable business model than the previous restaurant, given current market conditions”.
The Manahan Planners report also stated that the change of use “would bring a vacant commercial property back into active use, contributing to the vitality of Dublin’s city centre”.
The nine page report also stated that the proposal “would create new employment opportunities in the local area” and would contribute to the public realm by supporting footfall in the area.
The most recent accounts for the Wright Group, Treasure Trail Holdings Ltd – led by CEO Michael JF Wright – show that its pre-tax profits increased almost three fold to €10.67m in the 12 months to the end of September 2023 as revenues surged by 38% to €49m at the expanding food and beverage group.
The group now employs over 700 people through a collection of over 24 restaurants, bars, food halls, cafes, event spaces and convenience retail.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
