Long list of firms looking for new HQs in Dublin

Offices: The line-up of companies looking for new office space in Dublin city has never been longer.

With more than eight enquiries for office blocks of at least 9,290sq m (100,000sq ft) in the city, these companies will have to look outside the traditional office areas of Dublin 2 and 4 for their new HQs because of the low level of development taking place.

However, some of the older blocks in the city will inevitably be redeveloped into high density schemes.

Examples are the Russell Court occupied by KPMG on St Stephen's Green and the former Eircom building also on the Green.

Otherwise companies will be looking at the south and north dockland districts where high volumes of space are to be provided over the next few years.

Also high up on the list of choices is Heuston South Quarter, a superb site opposite Heuston Station, where Eircom is well ahead on the development of its new headquarters next door.

The advantage here is that Heuston South Quarter is to become, not just an office campus, but a smart new living quarter with almost 400 new apartments, a museum, restaurants and shops.

There will also be over 37,160sq m (400,000sq ft) of top class office accommodation.

Developer Padraig Rhatigan recently sold 170 of the apartments at strong prices within a 24-hour period and he is to begin development work on the office element in spring 2007.

One of the attractions of the site is not only that is it beside Heuston Station and the Luas, but it is within 20 minutes walk of O'Connell Bridge.

It is also beside the Dublin-Galway road and the M50 motorway.

The Bank of Ireland group heads up the list of companies looking for a new headquarters with a need for possibly up to 55,740sq m (600,000sq ft) of space.

The German-owned Defta Bank is apparently looking for 13,935sq m (150,000sq ft) while other companies requiring 9,290sq m (100,000sq ft) include solicitors William Fry and Arthur Cox, the Industrial Development Authority, a foreign bank represented by Hamilton Osborne King and possibly Davys.

Also in the market for space are Pfizer, and Royal and Sun Alliance (each needing 6,503sq m/70,000sq ft). And that is even before you consider a range of medium-to-small sized companies looking for new space.