24th November 2005
Booming colour gives boutique hotel Bohemian air
The interior of the new G hotel in Galway - designed by Philip Treacy - is extraordinarily glamourous, writes Liz Floyd
Galway's latest place to stay, the G hotel, was never planned as a hotel. It evolved into one when developer Gerry Barrett saw the potential to convert what was an unremarkable office building into Galway's most glamorous hotel, part of his expanding Monogram Hotel Group.
At first glance, the exterior has more in common with its former incarnation, but the recent redesign by architects Douglas Wallace has given it a new elegance which, combined with milliner Philip Treacy's extraordinarily glamorous interior, makes the project a one-of-a-kind experience.
In spite of its scale - 102 bedrooms, restaurant, cocktail bars, spa, and conference centre - it has a boutique quality: bars with walnut floors and plush armchairs and sofas from Andrew Martin and Minotti, handwoven carpets, antique fireplaces, while Italian perspex coffee tables filled with Swarovski crystals are not usually part of the interior design lexicon of large hotels.
Design co-ordinator Aurora Aleson worked hard to ensure Treacy's concept for the hotel is so successful.
A gorgeous black walled lobby with seashell concierge desk leads to a striking double-height salon with more than 300 mirrorballs by Tom Dixon, reflecting the play of light from Lough Atalia.
A raspberry handwoven Irish-made carpet acts like a natural catwalk leading to a series of stunning reception rooms, one in fuchsia pink with Andy Warhol-inspired pink camouflage upholstered chairs, two others in a Philip Treacy specified indigo blue. One for the ladies, the others with that decidedly clubby air, beloved by men.
This is a place to see and be seen. The restaurant is darkly dramatic, furnished with oversized seashell banquettes in purple velvet and jewel-coloured dining chairs.
Upstairs, away from these exciting sociable spaces, bedroom schemes evoke a theme of the sea, with silk and linen damask curtains by Zoffany with an underwater coral pattern, comfortable oyster sofas, specially commissioned Frette sheets inspired by an old fabric sample from Philip Treacy and Treacy-designed seashell fabric on Casmilano bedroom chairs.
These are restful, luxurious rooms, the bathrooms with Villeroy & Boch baths and huge double showers. Three individually designed suites - one named after Treacy's friend and muse, supermodel Linda Evangelista - are equally lavishly appointed.
This fusion of baroque and contemporary created by Treacy works so well here, he says, because "Galway has a bohemian and artistic character". The message is clear. This creative collaboration, which opens on November 28th, has given you a great place to stay.
By Liz Floyd
Press Releases Archive
Booming colour gives boutique hotel Bohemian air
24th November 2005
The interior of the new G hotel in Galway - designed by Philip Treacy - is extraordinarily glamourous.
The Irish Times 16th November 2005
Drogheda became one of the last big towns in Ireland to move into the modern shopping era last Thursday when the stunning new Scotch Hall shopping centre opened, marking the first phase of the rejuvenation of the rundown docklands area. The €200 million complex is one of the finest on the east coast.
Sunday Times Style Magazine 13th November 2005
Someone’s let Philip Treacy loose on a hotel in Ireland. Dominic Bradbury surveys the results.
Sunday Business Post 28th September 2005
The finishing touches are being put to Scotch Hall, Galway developer Gerry Barrett's €150 million retail and leisure development on the south bank of the river Boyne in Drogheda, Co Louth. The scheme, which is expected to draw customers from as far afield as Navan, Newry, Dundalk and Dublin, has been six years in the pipeline and has been under construction for just over two years.
Sunday Tribune 23rd January 2005
A 27-STOREY residential tower, part of a plan to further develop the river side area of Drogheda, could have the similar effect on the town that the Guggenheim museum had on Bilbao, according to architect Gerry Hand of Douglas Wallace.
The Irish Times 10th November 2004
The Galway property developer Gerry Barrett has bought the distinctive Victorian University Hall in Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for over €16 million.
3rd September 2004
Irish-based property company Edward Holdings has launched a new subsidiary hotel brand, Monogram Hotels.
The Sunday Tribune: 14th November 2004
It’s a €100m near sellout as the country’s wealthiest buyers splash out on Gerry Barrett’s D4 development.
The Irish Times: 1st July 2004
The final 17 apartments and coach-houses in what is the most exclusive and expensive scheme in Galway go on the market today.
The Connacht Tribune: 31st January 2003
Two international hotel chains have expressed interest in operating a 129-bedroom hotel in Wellpark which has been given planning approval by city planners.
The Connacht Tribune: 4th October 2002
Plans for a 129-bedroom hotel at Moneenageisha Cross, to replace part of an already approved office development, have been submitted to the City Council.
Drogheda Independent: 19th June 2002
Drogheda Borough Councillors have given the green light to the ambitious Scotch Hall development on the South Quay - despite an objection from Parolen Limited the developers of the Laurence Street shopping development.
Drogheda Independent: 29th March 2002
The proposed Scotch Hall development planned for Drogheda's south quay will lead to 550 jobs according to the developers.
Irish Times: 27th March 2002
The 200-year-old Bloomfield Hospital and grounds off Morehampton Road in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, is to be redeveloped as one of the city's most exclusive residential enclaves with houses costing up to £2.5 million (€4m) each.
Irish Times: 5th September 2001
Atlantic Homecare is to anchor a new retail park at one of the principal gateways to Galway city.
Drogheda Independent: 30th March 2001
Drogheda's Docklands are to be transformed by an ambitious £50 million redevelopment on the site of the Lakelands grain store.
Galway City Tribune: 12th January 2001
A multi-million pound development which will provide a specialist shopping centre and offices for high-tech companies is being planned for the Wellpark area.
Drogheda Independent: 30th June 2000
The Skyline of Drogheda may be about to change with the possible demolition and removal of the large grey metal silos in the Lakeland Dairies premises on the Marsh Road now that the company is apparently considering relocating to a more rural location.
Galway City Tribune: 14th April 2000
The new £40 million shopping complex, Edward Square, opened its doors on Wednesday morning and enjoyed brisk business all day as thousands thronged the new centre.
Galway City Tribune: 10th September 1999
Top UK retailer 'Next' have been confirmed as tenants of the £26 million Edward Square shopping complex which is hoped to open on schedule at the end of November just in time for the hectic Christmas shopping period.
Galway City Tribune: 26th September 1997
Developers should liase more with residents before lodging their planning applications with the planning authority to avoid delays, it was claimed this week.
Irish Independent: 23rd July 1997
A major new shopping scheme is on the cards for Barrack Lane in Galway City which will see a new department store, ten shops and up to 50 new homes put in place costing £22m.
