Dunnes plans £20m retail and office scheme for city centre

Dublin's South Great George's Street is set to regain part of its status as a retail thoroughfare following a decision by Dunnes Stores and its subsidiary, Cassidys Ltd, to redevelop a large section of the street for shopping as well as a corporate headquarters. A planning application for the £20 million scheme has been lodged with Dublin Corporation.

One of the main features of the plan will be the opening of a pedestrian access from South Great George's Street to the newly restored gardens at the rear of Dublin Castle. The new walk will run from a point opposite Fade Street to the castle grounds, where the Clock Tower is to be given over shortly to the Chester Beatty Library. The overall redevelopment plan is one of the most significant urban renewal projects proposed for the city centre. It will cover up to one-third of the entire frontage on the west side of South Great George's Street running from Stephen Street towards Dame Street. Only one building in the entire block, The Long Hall bar, will be unaffected by the redevelopment.

The entire scheme will have a gross area of almost 250,000 sq ft. The new centralised corporate headquarters will be located in a three and four-storey office block over ground and lower ground floor level. The retail element will include 13 shops along South Great George's Street and Stephen Street. The units will have an average floor area of 1,500 sq ft and, according to Irwin Druker of Druker Fanning, will probably be used for a mixture of retail uses to bring new life back into the two streets. Jimmy O'Connor of architects Arthur Gibney and Partners said that over 60 per cent of the facades would be retained in line with the development plan and nothing of any architectural or historical interest would be taken down.

Great emphasis has been laid on providing an interesting rear facade, which will be visible from the castle grounds. The redevelopment scheme will also include 129 car-parking spaces and an unusually large park to accommodate 420 bicycles. Dunnes has had its head office in Stephen Street for a number of years. Some of the staff are also located on the first floor of the South City Markets on South Great George's Street. The new headquarters is expected to accommodate a staff of around 750.