The long-vacant site beside the Mansion House on Dawson Street, Dublin 2, has been earmarked for an office block by the owners, Dublin Corporation. The five-storey over-basement building will have more than 20,000 sq ft of space. Also in the city centre, the planners have granted permission for Ashfield House at D'Olier Street and Hawkins Street to change its status from a hostel to a hotel. A new basement bar is to be provided along with a shop fronting on to Hawkins Street.