THE ONLINE social networking giant, Facebook, is taking extra office space at its new Dublin office only a month after moving in.

The multinational company originally leased one of the six floors in Hanover Reach, a prestigious new office block overlooking Grand Canal Harbour at Hanover Quay in Dublin 2.

Facebook originally leased 1,114sq m (12,000sq ft) of space but has now taken an additional two floors extending to 836sq m (9,000sq ft).

The office will operate as the headquarters of the company for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) area.

The company has said that it expects to double the size of its Irish business within the next year, with employee numbers increasing from 70 to more than 140.

Chris Jones of Ellier Developments, owners of Hanover Reach, said yesterday that they were delighted to conclude an agreement with Facebook for two more floors in the building. “This long term commitment by Facebook endorses our decision to develop Hanover Reach to the highest international standards.”

He said it was vital that Ireland could accommodate such multinational companies in order to ensure continued inward investment and the employment of highly skilled workers.

Joint agents Roland O’Connell of Savills and Darren Nugent of CBRE are quoting rents of €457 per sq m (€42.50 per sq ft) for the remaining four floors which have an area of 4,087sq m (44,000sq ft).

Ellier Developments also completed a stylish apartment scheme next to its office block on Hanover Quay.

All 68 two-bedroom units were sold mainly in 2008 at prices from €550,000 to €625,000.