The €500 million transformation of the 5.5-acre plot stretching from O'Connell Street to Moore Street has got its first green light following Dublin City Council's approval of plans for the scheme.
UK property group Hammerson last June lodged three applications for a mixed retail, office and residential scheme on the vast city block formerly known as the Carlton site, parts of which have lain vacant and derelict for more than 40 years.
The site, which stretches west from O’Connell Street to Moore Street, and north from Henry Street to Parnell Street, is being developed under six separate planning applications.
Two of the first three applications, which focus on Moore Street and Henry Street, and include residential, hotel, retail, restaurant and cafe as well as cultural uses, have now been approved by the council.
Sunlight analysis
In relation to the third application, for a site towards the northern end of Moore Street at O’Rahilly Parade, the council has asked Hammerson to submit an amended daylight and sunlight analysis of the effect the development will have on neighbouring apartments.
However, the two approved applications are the more substantial, with one involving the land surrounding the 1916 Rising National Monument buildings at 14-17 Moore Street. These State-owned buildings are due to be developed separately as a Rising Commemorative Centre, a project expected to cost at least €16.25 million.
The application surrounding this site was controversial as it proposed a large archway beside the national monument which broke up the Moore Street terrace. Under conditions attached to the grant of permission, the archway must be reduced in scale and its detailing more closely aligned to 17 Moore Street.
Passageway
The second approved application, which deals with buildings on Henry Street and the southern end of Moore Street, involved the construction of a nine-storey hotel, and the demolition of two buildings: 38 Henry Street which will be replaced with a passageway and 41 Henry Street, at the corner of Moore Street, would be replaced with a new building.
The council received a large number of objections to the scheme, including from relatives of 1916 leaders, and it is likely the decisions will be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
