Urban Redevelopment: The building on South Great George's Street which once housed one of Dublin's best-known businesses is on the market. Jack Fagan reports
The rejuvenation of South Great George's Street in Dublin city centre is to be given a further boost with the decision to sell the former Dockrells store at the junction of South Great George's Street and Lower Stephen Street.
The large four-storey over basement redbrick building has become quite rundown in recent years and is certain to be redeveloped when it is sold by tender through CB Richard Ellis Gunne. It is likely to fetch around €15 million.
However, with South Great George's Street rapidly regaining some of its lost appearance and reputation, there should be no shortage of investors and developers willing to redevelop the block. Dunnes Stores is building a new headquarters directly opposite which will have a row of shops on the ground floor.
Dunnes Stores brought new life into the street with its large convenience food store at 19-21 South Great George's Street, at the corner with Exchequer Street: the store is now one its busiest in the city.
The building now going for sale is likely to be redeveloped, with retail space at ground, basement and possibly first floor levels. The upper floors could be converted either into office units or apartments.
The plan is to sell the building with vacant possession, depending on how soon the Jaipur Restaurant on the corner can find alternative accommodation.
James Quinlan of the selling agent says it "may be possible" to add a number of additional floors. There are a large number of retailers looking for space who are not prepared to pay the high rents on Grafton Street.
For a century and a half, numbers 41-46 South Great George's Street housed one of the Dublin's best-known businesses, Dockrells hardware store, which traded up to the early 1970s.
The business was later taken over by the Fitzwilton Group. When they changed the name over the door to Big D "the writing was on the wall", according one former employee, David Baker.
The decline of the business was accentuated by the waning fortunes of South Great George's Street, as Grafton Street replaced it as the premier shopping thoroughfare in the city.
Even well-known retailer Pat Quinn could not turn the tide and after little more than a year, was forced to abandon the store after letting it out in a range of trading stalls. In more recent years, the building has been used as a trade showrooms for a clothing firm.
The opening of new bars, restaurants and night clubs on South Great George's Street and adjoining streets over the past few years has given new hope to traders on the street who have hung on in the hope of a renaissance. That seems to be under way.
