New apartments planned in historically significant Waterford city building

A planning application has been submitted for the development of three studio apartments at 8, Great George’s Street, Waterford City.

Plans outline the change of the first, second and third floors of the building from office space to residential use. Permission is also sought to replace the existing flat roof with a new part pitched, part flat roof.

An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment (AHIS) report was submitted alongside the application, given the building's historical significance and its status as a Protected Structure.

A National Inventory of Architectural Heritage appraisal of the building outlined that 'it is an important substantial composition of considerable age that, despite extensive renovations that have led to the loss of most of the original fabric, retains its original balanced form and Georgian proportions to the upper floors.

‘The house remains an important component of the streetscape, primarily for its role as one of a self-contained group of houses contributing to the historic character of Great George’s Street,' stated the appraisal.

The AHIS report outlined that the plans to convert the building to apartments has been ‘tastefully executed by the design team’ and that intentions of providing accommodation within the city ‘is something to be supported at this time given the national housing crisis.’ 

Decision is expected to be made on the development by Waterford City and County Council by March 16.