THE TWILFIT HOUSE PREMIER INN
THE TWILFIT HOUSE PREMIER INN [HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR ALMOST A DECADE]
Twilfit (a play on “it will fit”) was a world-famous corset brand manufactured by Leethems, an underwear company from Portsmouth in the UK.
The Twilfit House Site: A Dublin Development Chronicle
At the bustling intersection of Jervis Street and Middle Abbey Street, a major construction project is reshaping a prominent corner in the commercial heart of Dublin. Behind the hoardings, the new Premier Inn Twilfit House is gradually taking shape—a €41 million hotel promising over 200 much-needed rooms for the capital. Yet, for a city accustomed to rapid development, this project is distinguished by its remarkably protracted timeline. With completion now forecast for November 2026, its journey from conception to opening will have spanned the better part of a decade.
This extended schedule is no simple delay. The reasons are woven into the complex history of the site, the legacy of the building it replaced, and a multi-layered planning process that reveals much about the forces shaping contemporary Dublin. The story of the Premier Inn is inextricably linked to that of its predecessor: Twilfit House, a building whose demolition raised persistent questions about heritage, preservation, and civic memory.
This chronicle unravels the Jervis Street story, investigating the prolonged construction, resurrecting the history of Twilfit House, and clarifying the controversies that have defined its transformation. The site serves as a compelling case study—a microcosm of the tensions between commercial ambition, planning bureaucracy, and heritage in a rapidly evolving European capital.
A Symbol of the Free State: The Rise and Fall of Twilfit House
Long before it was a hotel construction site, this corner was home to a building that embodied the industrial aspirations of a newly independent Ireland. For nearly half a century, Twilfit House was more than just a factory; it was a landmark of Irish manufacturing and a tangible symbol of the economic ambitions of the nascent Irish Free State.
A Presidential Inauguration
The story begins not in Dublin, but in Portsmouth, England, home of the British corset manufacturer Leethems. In 1926, the company established an Irish subsidiary and, two years later, constructed a purpose-built factory in the heart of Dublin. Named after their popular corset brand, "Twilfit"—a clever play on "it will fit"—the new building was a statement of modernity, described as spacious, bright, and equipped with modern machinery and electric lifts.
The significance of this enterprise was not lost on the state's leadership. The official opening in 1928 was a major civic event, presided over by W.T. Cosgrave, the first President of the Executive Council. His inaugural speech underscored the factory's importance to national self-sufficiency. "Our country should support its own manufacturers," Cosgrave declared, highlighting that "The materials are cut in Ireland, the labour is Irish, the article is finished in Ireland and the corsets are packed in Irish made boxes." This high-profile endorsement elevated Twilfit House from a commercial venture to a potent symbol of a modern, industrialised economy.
An Economic Barometer
The factory quickly became a significant employer, providing jobs for 300 people at its peak. Its commercial success, fuelled by marketing that appealed to national pride, necessitated expansion in 1930 and again in 1934. For decades, the factory thrived, even navigating Second World War material shortages by organising a "corset salvage campaign" to recycle old metal fittings.
By the early 1970s, however, changing fashions and new trading conditions led to a downturn. In December 1973, after 45 years, Leethems (Ire) Ltd ceased production and sold the building. The closure marked the end of an era, but the building remained part of the city's fabric, hosting tenants including the state training agency FÁS, a popular Ben Dunne gym, and the National Leprechaun Museum.
The building’s lifecycle serves as a remarkable barometer of Irish economic history. Its establishment reflects the Free State’s protectionist policies; its closure in 1973 coincides with Ireland's entry into the EEC, which opened the market to international competition. Its final incarnation as a home for leisure and tourism ventures mirrors the broader shift in Dublin’s economy away from production and towards the service sector. The story of this single building is a tangible narrative of the nation's profound transformations.
The Battle for a Landmark: A Question of Protection
A central question in the site’s redevelopment is why a building of such clear historical importance was not preserved. The perception of its cultural significance clashed with its legal status, a conflict that ultimately sealed its fate.
A Critical Omission
In Ireland, architectural heritage is protected under the Planning & Development Act, 2000, which requires local authorities to maintain a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Once a building is on this list, it is legally protected from unauthorised alteration or demolition.
A definitive review of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 confirms a crucial fact: Twilfit House was not listed as a Protected Structure. This absence from the official record is the single most important factor in its demolition. Despite its social and historical significance, it lacked the legal armour that an RPS designation would have provided.
Competing Interests
The building’s demolition did not go unopposed. In November 2017, An Taisce (The National Trust for Ireland) lodged a formal objection to the initial development application, arguing for its heritage value as "a wonderful example of indigenous industrial architecture." An Taisce also raised broader concerns about the "oversaturation" of hotels in the city centre.
This placed the heritage body in direct opposition to the state's tourism agency, Fáilte Ireland, which supported the project as "a valuable addition to the accommodation stock in Dublin."
Dublin City Council granted permission in March 2018. The decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a local resident, but in December 2018, the national planning appeals board gave the final authorisation for the demolition of Twilfit House. The inspector’s report acknowledged the heritage issues but concluded that demolition was acceptable in the context of the area's wider regeneration.
The loss of Twilfit House is a stark illustration of a "protection gap." The assumption that a building of such resonance must have been protected is logical, but the reality is that its historical importance offered a powerful moral argument, not a legal defence.
A Protracted Transformation: Charting the Development
The journey from the demolition of Twilfit House to the rise of the Premier Inn has been anything but direct. The extended timeline is the cumulative effect of a multi-phased development process, marked by a change in ownership and a series of strategic planning amendments.
Phase 1: Initial Approval (2017–2018)
The project began with an application from investment group SW3 Capital for a €19.3 million, 218-bedroom hotel. After navigating the planning process and appeals, final permission was granted in December 2018, with a projected completion of May 2021.
Phase 2: Change of Ownership and Ambition (2018–2020)
In 2018, Whitbread Plc, Premier Inn's parent company, purchased the site. Rather than proceeding with the approved design, Whitbread sought significant alterations to increase capacity. A new application was lodged to add a new floor, remove the planned gym and retail units, and increase the bedroom count to 206, a process which introduced further delays.
Phase 3: Further Amendments (Late 2023)
The design continued to evolve. In late 2023, the scheme underwent another round of "significant alterations" to reconfigure the internal layout and expand several floors, increasing the final bedroom count to 215 and requiring new technical submissions.
Phase 4: Construction (2024–2026)
With all planning hurdles cleared, the project entered the full construction phase. The cumulative effect of the ownership change and multiple planning amendments has systematically postponed the opening. The definitive projection provided by the main contractor, Gilbert-Ash, is now November 2026.
The protracted timeline is not a story of construction failure but a direct function of a deliberate commercial strategy. Whitbread invested several years optimising the planning permission to maximise the site's commercial yield, prioritising the final value of the asset over the speed of its delivery.
The Twilfit Name: A British Story
A point of potential confusion is the origin of the Twilfit company, with some speculation of a Swedish connection. Historical records are definitive: the brand was unequivocally British.
The "Twilfit" brand of corsetry was a product of Leethems, a prominent manufacturer based in Portsmouth, England—a major centre for the British corsetry industry. The establishment of the Dublin factory in 1926 was an expansion of this successful British enterprise. The misconception likely stems from a contemporary Swedish apparel company named "Twilfit Ab," but there is no historical connection between this entity and the British firm that built and operated the Dublin factory.
Conclusion: A New Landmark's Complicated Legacy
The Premier Inn rising on the corner of Jervis Street is more than just a building; it is a monument to the conflicting forces that define modern urban development. Its decade-long timeline is a consequence of a meticulous planning process driven by commercial ambition.
Simultaneously, its history is shadowed by the loss of its predecessor. The demolition of Twilfit House represents a significant, albeit legally permissible, erasure of Dublin's 20th-century industrial heritage. Its story is a cautionary tale, demonstrating how buildings of profound cultural importance remain vulnerable without formal protection.
When the Premier Inn Twilfit House opens its doors, it will become a modern fixture in the city’s landscape. Yet, it will stand on a site imbued with a layered and contested history—a history of Irish industrial pride, of architectural loss, and of the relentless pace of redevelopment that continues to reshape the face of Dublin.
Twilfit (a play on “it will fit”) was a world-famous corset brand manufactured by Leethems, an underwear company from Portsmouth in the UK.
The Twilfit House Site: A Dublin Development Chronicle
At the bustling intersection of Jervis Street and Middle Abbey Street, a major construction project is reshaping a prominent corner in the commercial heart of Dublin. Behind the hoardings, the new Premier Inn Twilfit House is gradually taking shape—a €41 million hotel promising over 200 much-needed rooms for the capital. Yet, for a city accustomed to rapid development, this project is distinguished by its remarkably protracted timeline. With completion now forecast for November 2026, its journey from conception to opening will have spanned the better part of a decade.
This extended schedule is no simple delay. The reasons are woven into the complex history of the site, the legacy of the building it replaced, and a multi-layered planning process that reveals much about the forces shaping contemporary Dublin. The story of the Premier Inn is inextricably linked to that of its predecessor: Twilfit House, a building whose demolition raised persistent questions about heritage, preservation, and civic memory.
This chronicle unravels the Jervis Street story, investigating the prolonged construction, resurrecting the history of Twilfit House, and clarifying the controversies that have defined its transformation. The site serves as a compelling case study—a microcosm of the tensions between commercial ambition, planning bureaucracy, and heritage in a rapidly evolving European capital.
A Symbol of the Free State: The Rise and Fall of Twilfit House
Long before it was a hotel construction site, this corner was home to a building that embodied the industrial aspirations of a newly independent Ireland. For nearly half a century, Twilfit House was more than just a factory; it was a landmark of Irish manufacturing and a tangible symbol of the economic ambitions of the nascent Irish Free State.
A Presidential Inauguration
The story begins not in Dublin, but in Portsmouth, England, home of the British corset manufacturer Leethems. In 1926, the company established an Irish subsidiary and, two years later, constructed a purpose-built factory in the heart of Dublin. Named after their popular corset brand, "Twilfit"—a clever play on "it will fit"—the new building was a statement of modernity, described as spacious, bright, and equipped with modern machinery and electric lifts.
The significance of this enterprise was not lost on the state's leadership. The official opening in 1928 was a major civic event, presided over by W.T. Cosgrave, the first President of the Executive Council. His inaugural speech underscored the factory's importance to national self-sufficiency. "Our country should support its own manufacturers," Cosgrave declared, highlighting that "The materials are cut in Ireland, the labour is Irish, the article is finished in Ireland and the corsets are packed in Irish made boxes." This high-profile endorsement elevated Twilfit House from a commercial venture to a potent symbol of a modern, industrialised economy.
An Economic Barometer
The factory quickly became a significant employer, providing jobs for 300 people at its peak. Its commercial success, fuelled by marketing that appealed to national pride, necessitated expansion in 1930 and again in 1934. For decades, the factory thrived, even navigating Second World War material shortages by organising a "corset salvage campaign" to recycle old metal fittings.
By the early 1970s, however, changing fashions and new trading conditions led to a downturn. In December 1973, after 45 years, Leethems (Ire) Ltd ceased production and sold the building. The closure marked the end of an era, but the building remained part of the city's fabric, hosting tenants including the state training agency FÁS, a popular Ben Dunne gym, and the National Leprechaun Museum.
The building’s lifecycle serves as a remarkable barometer of Irish economic history. Its establishment reflects the Free State’s protectionist policies; its closure in 1973 coincides with Ireland's entry into the EEC, which opened the market to international competition. Its final incarnation as a home for leisure and tourism ventures mirrors the broader shift in Dublin’s economy away from production and towards the service sector. The story of this single building is a tangible narrative of the nation's profound transformations.
The Battle for a Landmark: A Question of Protection
A central question in the site’s redevelopment is why a building of such clear historical importance was not preserved. The perception of its cultural significance clashed with its legal status, a conflict that ultimately sealed its fate.
A Critical Omission
In Ireland, architectural heritage is protected under the Planning & Development Act, 2000, which requires local authorities to maintain a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). Once a building is on this list, it is legally protected from unauthorised alteration or demolition.
A definitive review of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 confirms a crucial fact: Twilfit House was not listed as a Protected Structure. This absence from the official record is the single most important factor in its demolition. Despite its social and historical significance, it lacked the legal armour that an RPS designation would have provided.
Competing Interests
The building’s demolition did not go unopposed. In November 2017, An Taisce (The National Trust for Ireland) lodged a formal objection to the initial development application, arguing for its heritage value as "a wonderful example of indigenous industrial architecture." An Taisce also raised broader concerns about the "oversaturation" of hotels in the city centre.
This placed the heritage body in direct opposition to the state's tourism agency, Fáilte Ireland, which supported the project as "a valuable addition to the accommodation stock in Dublin."
Dublin City Council granted permission in March 2018. The decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a local resident, but in December 2018, the national planning appeals board gave the final authorisation for the demolition of Twilfit House. The inspector’s report acknowledged the heritage issues but concluded that demolition was acceptable in the context of the area's wider regeneration.
The loss of Twilfit House is a stark illustration of a "protection gap." The assumption that a building of such resonance must have been protected is logical, but the reality is that its historical importance offered a powerful moral argument, not a legal defence.
A Protracted Transformation: Charting the Development
The journey from the demolition of Twilfit House to the rise of the Premier Inn has been anything but direct. The extended timeline is the cumulative effect of a multi-phased development process, marked by a change in ownership and a series of strategic planning amendments.
Phase 1: Initial Approval (2017–2018)
The project began with an application from investment group SW3 Capital for a €19.3 million, 218-bedroom hotel. After navigating the planning process and appeals, final permission was granted in December 2018, with a projected completion of May 2021.
Phase 2: Change of Ownership and Ambition (2018–2020)
In 2018, Whitbread Plc, Premier Inn's parent company, purchased the site. Rather than proceeding with the approved design, Whitbread sought significant alterations to increase capacity. A new application was lodged to add a new floor, remove the planned gym and retail units, and increase the bedroom count to 206, a process which introduced further delays.
Phase 3: Further Amendments (Late 2023)
The design continued to evolve. In late 2023, the scheme underwent another round of "significant alterations" to reconfigure the internal layout and expand several floors, increasing the final bedroom count to 215 and requiring new technical submissions.
Phase 4: Construction (2024–2026)
With all planning hurdles cleared, the project entered the full construction phase. The cumulative effect of the ownership change and multiple planning amendments has systematically postponed the opening. The definitive projection provided by the main contractor, Gilbert-Ash, is now November 2026.
The protracted timeline is not a story of construction failure but a direct function of a deliberate commercial strategy. Whitbread invested several years optimising the planning permission to maximise the site's commercial yield, prioritising the final value of the asset over the speed of its delivery.
The Twilfit Name: A British Story
A point of potential confusion is the origin of the Twilfit company, with some speculation of a Swedish connection. Historical records are definitive: the brand was unequivocally British.
The "Twilfit" brand of corsetry was a product of Leethems, a prominent manufacturer based in Portsmouth, England—a major centre for the British corsetry industry. The establishment of the Dublin factory in 1926 was an expansion of this successful British enterprise. The misconception likely stems from a contemporary Swedish apparel company named "Twilfit Ab," but there is no historical connection between this entity and the British firm that built and operated the Dublin factory.
Conclusion: A New Landmark's Complicated Legacy
The Premier Inn rising on the corner of Jervis Street is more than just a building; it is a monument to the conflicting forces that define modern urban development. Its decade-long timeline is a consequence of a meticulous planning process driven by commercial ambition.
Simultaneously, its history is shadowed by the loss of its predecessor. The demolition of Twilfit House represents a significant, albeit legally permissible, erasure of Dublin's 20th-century industrial heritage. Its story is a cautionary tale, demonstrating how buildings of profound cultural importance remain vulnerable without formal protection.
When the Premier Inn Twilfit House opens its doors, it will become a modern fixture in the city’s landscape. Yet, it will stand on a site imbued with a layered and contested history—a history of Irish industrial pride, of architectural loss, and of the relentless pace of redevelopment that continues to reshape the face of Dublin.
THE TWILFIT HOUSE PREMIER INN