Work Begins On The La Touche Hotel

Having closed its doors in 2004, the long and winding road to return The La Touche Hotel building back to active duty finally took its first step this morning.

Just after 9.30am, a truck dropped off a cherry picker and scaffolding planks in the front car park of the 124-year-old hotel.

The recent withdrawal of a demolition application by the developers Crimson Lane Ltd (helped, no doubt, by a local protest campaign) along with the threat of further penalties for inaction on the site and a call for a meeting with Greystones councillors, has clearly sparked movement.

A quick check with Wicklow County Council confirmed this morning that work on the approved 22 new homes and 5 town houses was now underway.

As difficult as it will be to see this Greystones landmark take its last breath as it stood for so many years, there will be relief too to see The La Touche Hotel finally being put out of its decaying misery, and to see that pivotal space in the town come alive again.

You can follow the La Touche Hotel saga over the years right here.