The hotel is set to be sold by Mayo County Council to a 'leading boutique hotel chain', the Connaught Telegraph reports.
The council have received an offer for the building from the hotel chain, who intend to renovate it as part of a major investment.
According to sources, the council decided to dispose of the property after "securing a commitment that its unique history will be restored and preserved for future generations".
Imperial Hotel Castlebar, image via buildingsofireland.ie
The hotel was purchased by the former Castlebar Town Council after closing down in 2009. Over the past decade it has fallen into a state of dereliction, to the frustration of historians and the local community.
The hotel was
first opened in 1795, originally taking the form of two separate three-bay three-storey townhouses. It was then reconstructed to its current composition in 1891/2, and sold in 1902. It was then renovated in 1995, before being put up for sale in 2010 and becoming disused.
Old picture of the Imperial Hotel Castlebar, via buildingsofireland.ie
The council had received over €11 million from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the Castlebar historic core reactivation initiative. The funds were intended to carry out restoration on a number of projects, including the Imperial Hotel. A total of €5 million was set aside "to transform the Imperial Hotel into an innovation hub". However, in the event of the hotel sale proceeding, the council will not draw down the €5 million in question.
This decision will not impact on the other planned projects, which include the old post office at Mountain View and the military barracks at Rock Square according to the Connaught Telegraph.
The identity of the investors is unlikely to be revealed until the transfer of the property is completed.
Header image via buildingsofireland.ie
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