ST MEL'S

ST MEL'S AT 19-21 LOWER RATHMINES ROAD AND GRAND CANAL HOUSE

The building located at 19-21 Rathmines Road Lower, with a side facing Grove Park, is known as "St. Mel's". It's a building with a notable history and some interesting architectural features:  

Construction and Architectural Style: Built in 1911, it exemplifies the Edwardian style of architecture, prevalent during the early 20th century.The building is characterised by its red-brick facade, windows, and decorative elements typical of the era.

Historical Significance: Classified as a "pre-'63" building, it falls under specific rental regulations in Ireland. This designation indicates its historical importance and contribution to the architectural landscape of Rathmines.

Current Use: Presently, St. Mel's is divided into nine separate apartments, serving as residential accommodation.  

1-17 Rathmines Road Lower is known as Grand Canal House. It's a notable building with some historical and architectural significance:

Architectural Style and History: It's a fine example of late 19th-century architecture, specifically described as a "two-storey over basement, 5 bay building." This suggests it was built during a period of significant development and expansion in Rathmines.

Current Use: As of now, Grand Canal House is primarily used for office accommodation.

I cannot find any information relating to the history of building "Grand Canal House" [there is at least one other building in the city with that name] and what first caught my eye was the "IN" archway which leads to a small car park and a second matching archway that has been filled in to create a shopfront ... I assume that it was once the "OUT" archway. The "IN" and "OUT" archways on Grand Canal House strongly suggest a past association with a car park or a motor/car service station. This architectural feature was commonly used to regulate the flow of vehicles in and out of such facilities. Also,
I am beginning to suspect that this building may not be as old as it appears to be.