Planning&Development: Planning permission has been granted by Dublin City Council for a substantial redevelopment of the former offices of The Irish Times on D'Olier Street, Dublin 2.
The project allows for the retention of listed buildings and shopfronts along D'Olier Street but permits the removal of buildings along Fleet Street and the construction of a large atrium connecting the original listed buildings with a new structure facing Fleet Street.
There were two objectors to the project, An Taisce and recruitment consultancy Hunter Marshal Ltd which occupies offices in 7 D'Olier Street adjacent to the site. The council accepted the proposed development, subject to 18 conditions, some of which reflect objections lodged by An Taisce and Hunter Marshal Ltd.
An Taisce expressed concerns about a planned glass-fronted penthouse atop 11 and 12 D'Olier Street, while Hunter Marshal Ltd was concerned about the impact that such a major project would have on its ability to conduct its recruitment business. Veba Ltd is the company behind the redevelopment of the site, which makes up 2,008sq m (21,614sq ft) or 0.2008 hectares.
It involves the retention of protected structures along D'Olier Street (numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 16 ½) and a near complete reconstruction of the Fleet Street facing buildings and the space behind which connects to the protected structures.
The gross floor area of the proposed development is 8,427sq m (90,707sq ft) of which 2,309sq m (24,854sq ft) is retained floorspace and 6,118sq m (65,854sq ft) is new floor space.
Floor space accounting for 4,349sq m (46,812sq ft) will be demolished.
Most of the available space is committed in the planning application to retail, professional/financial services, medical/health services and restaurant/café bar uses.
The four-storey glazed atrium was a significant element under assessment by the council. It binds the rears of 8-16 D'Olier Street to the Fleet Street building via cantilevered access walkways on three levels. The development plan allows for 17 car-parking spaces and 80 bicycle spaces via a new vehicular access from Fleet Street. This is achieved via two vehicle lifts to a new basement level at 24-27 and 11-12 Fleet Street.
The council indicated that the proposed mix of retail and offices was "in accordance with the zoning objective of the site".
In particular, the council welcomed the reinstatement of the ground floors facing onto D'Olier Street, which would provide for retail units that could attract pedestrian flows.
The council did not accept An Taisce's contention that the proposed penthouse would visually dominate.
The council accepted Hunter Marshal's concerns about disruption to its business and imposed a selection of planning conditions to control noise and the release of dust during demolition and reconstruction. The council said that, given the zoning objectives and the "quality of the reinstatement works and layout proposed", the design approach "is considered appropriate and acceptable".
