European Commission move to Mount St

The European Commission is to relocate its Dublin office from 18 Dawson Street to a modern building at 12-14 Lower Mount Street.

The Brussels representatives have been in Dawson Street since 1996 and when they move to their new premises they will be equally close to Leinster House. The Dawson Street building is owned by IPUT and is to be upgraded before being offered for reletting. Close by IPUT is also preparing to demolish an office block occupied by the Passport Office on Molesworth Street/South Frederick Street and replace it with a larger building.

The Lower Mount Street block was acquired in March, 2014, by agents Brown Corrigan for a private client for a figure believed to be around €4.4 million. It has a floor area of 1,347 sq m (14,500 sq ft) and was previously occupied by the Public Bodies Mutual Insurance. The new owner is understood to have gone to considerable expense in upgrading the block and bringing it up to third generation standard including raised access floors, air conditioning, new carpets and light fittings.

Peter Brown of Brown Corrigan confirmed yesterday that letting terms had been agreed with a new tenant but said he was not in a position to confirm the identify of the tenant. Other sources have indicated that the EU has taken a long-term lease of the entire block and 13 car parking spaces at around €600,000 per annum. The incoming tenant is to fit out the block in the coming weeks.