Category: Fit Out or Refurbishment Over €30m
Project: Tropical Fruit Warehouse
Contractor: PJ Hegarty & Sons
Client: IPUT
Engineer: Torque Consulting Engineers – Structural, O’Connor Sutton Cronin – Services
Architect: Henry J. Lyons
- Iconic modern offices incorporating a historic warehouse building
- Landmark location with panoramic views over river liffey
- Enhanced exterior urban spaces and roof terrace
- Cafe and artist studio space on-site
- Feature double height reception area
- Full height glazing maximising natural daylight
The Tropical Fruit Warehouse at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, is a protected structure that has been reconfigured, extended and adapted to house an 80,000 sq ft office development and includes a six-storey office space overlooking an existing public square.
With main contractors PJ Hegarty & Sons and designed by Henry J Lyons, the redevelopment sensitively restores the original warehouse building and incorporates the addition of two floating, fully glazed office floors which cantilever over the protected structure providing panoramic views over the River Liffey.
Restored industrial warehouse features, dating from the late 19th century form the centrepiece of the redevelopment, including exposed brick, stone walls, feature keystones and original timber roof trusses. The original Scots Pine roof trusses from the 1890s were taken off-site for structural repair and complete restoration before being repositioned.
The removal of non-original elements of construction allowed for restoration in line with the original brickwork and natural stone facades – all done to meticulous detail required by the conservation team. Original Hibernian Marine School walls (c. 1773) were discovered and conserved. A section of this historical wall is now integrated into the scheme, being merged with the contemporary steel and exposed concrete design.
Primary structural engineers on the job, Torque Consulting, worked closely with Steel & Roofing Systems (SRS) to fabricate and erect 1300 tn of structural steelwork for over 80,000 sq. ft. of unique riverfront offices. Consulting engineers EirEng provided SRS with support on temporary works and designing secondary steel elements.
The impressive reception area, with 7.2m floor to ceiling height, offers high permeability to the office space beyond and a subtle link between the warehouse and modern spaces.
Overall the building been designed to meet the highest global standards in design and sustainability credentials to include NZEB and LEED Platinum standards and is WELL Gold enabled.
