Refurbishment works have started on the former Central Bank building in Dublin's Dame Street.
The project, being undertaken by the global real estate investment firm Hines, will see the top floor of the famous structure turned into a restaurant and bar.
The work is being carried out by John Paul Construction and temporary hoarding has been erected around the pedestrian plaza.
The eight-storey tower building was designed by architect Sam Stephenson and completed in 1979.
It is famous for being structurally unique for its time with the floors suspended from two service cores and propped up by steel supports visible from the outside.
The works will replace the building’s 40-year-old glazing, described as “no longer fit for modern-day office use”.
Its granite stone cladding and the familiar external steel supports are to be restored. The plaza will be reopened to the public once the work is completed while access between Dame Street and Cope Street will be maintained.
Hines was founded in 1957 with a presence in 189 cities in 20 countries. It has approximately €91.5 billion of assets under management, including €45 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, it said.
The firm has 114 developments currently under way around the world.
