Category: Fit Out or Refurbishment Over €30m
Project: Central Plaza
Contractor: Stewart Construction
Client: Hines
Engineer: DBFL Consulting Engineers Ltd
Architect: Henry J Lyons
The former Central Bank building was designed by award winning architect Sam Stephenson and opened in the late 1970s to mixed reviews. Since then, its distinctive design has become one of Dublin city’s most striking sights. Situated on a public plaza bound by Dame Street, Fownes Street Upper and Cope Street, the freestanding multi-bay 7 floor suspended tower over 2 level basement structure, is set back from Dame Street to the north of the plaza.
The refurbishment of this iconic 7-storey landmark was undertaken on a construction management basis by Stewart Construction and completed to LEED Gold standard. DBFL Consulting Engineers Ltd. have been engaged as engineers for the overall project.
The first phase of the development involved the refurbishment of the tower office building to deliver modern office facilities. This phase required the existing twin cores of the structure to be remodeled internally to deliver new Mechanical and Electrical risers plus additional lift shafts.
The building’s exterior remains largely preserved; the exterior granite façade was cleaned and repairs or replacements of the stone were made. The Macalloy structural suspension system was over-cladded and all existing glazing replaced.
The top-most level of the tower has been re-imagined as a glass-roofed, split level hospitality space incorporating a 360° viewing terrace around the entire perimeter of the building, with a breath-taking view of Dublin’s cityscape.
New plaza area has been created for retail, cafes and restaurants at terrace, plaza and sub-plaza level, including a new glazed twin-lift core and reconfigure feature staircases.
The adjacent Annex Building reinforces the district as a food destination with a large restaurant offering. The trio of buildings along College Green offer additional retail offerings and office space above.
As a new city centre ‘town square’ destination, the extension and refurbishment of a number of other significant structures in Dublin’s city centre is part of the overall project. As well as the former Central Bank, other properties include 6-8 College Green, 9 College Green, and both the Annex and Commercial buildings on Dame Street.
Spanning a city block, Central Plaza will be home to 100,000 sq ft of Grade A offices, 53,000 sq. ft. of retail stores and restaurants, 15,500 sq ft of a destination rooftop venue and a new urban plaza.
