CitizenM has announced plans to open its first hotel in Dublin in 2024. Delivered by BCP Capital, the 245-room property will be located opposite St Patrick’s Park and Cathedral, with construction starting in August.

The Netherlands-based group will preserve the history of the building’s Brutalist facade, designed by late Irish architect Sam Stephenson, with the space between the facade and the hotel serving as a permanent art collection. As such, the development will be sensitively built, combining CitizenM’s prefabricated modular construction with an the use of bricks in a nod to the architecture of Dublin 8 in the Liberties and the nearby Iveagh Trust tenements. Once complete, it will be Ireland’s first fully modular-built commercial building.

True to its heritage, CitizenM will also focus on the promotion of local art and culture in Dublin. Every CitizenM property includes a collaboration with a local artist; to date the brand has commissioned over 120 pieces – exterior, interior and in-room – and incorporated over 275 exhibited artworks globally. This opening will be no exception and will feature an art installation on the main facade, set to be revealed in due course.

Alongside championing local artists, CitizenM strives to become part of the fabric of the city and believes that can’t be achieved without the unique insights of locals. This understanding has led to the introduction of a new Culture Scout programme, which will help shape and share the stories around the brand’s new hotels.

1 April marked the launch of CitizenM’s search for a Culture Scout in Dublin, after rolling out the initiative in Austin and Rome earlier this year. The group is looking for people who enjoy going off the beaten path to find local gems: a native who knows the best bars, cafes and restaurants; someone with insider knowledge of the art and cultural scene; or a storyteller and natural networker who connects with citizenM’s ethos and values.

Applications are open through a dedicated page and will run between Friday 1 April and Sunday 15 May. The chosen Culture Scout winner will then receive €3,000 and free CitizenM accommodation around the world.

“Dublin has been high on our list of target cities for some time, and we are thrilled to have secured this location as our first entry into the Irish market,” comments Klaas Van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of CitizenM. “While the past year has been a challenge for the whole industry, we are confident and continue with our ambitious growth strategy both in Europe and the US, which includes seeking additional locations in Dublin. We believe our affordable luxury concept is a great fit for the city, appealing to visitors and locals alike.”