The doyen of Dublin Architects, Andrej Wejchert, has stunned the market by walking away from the £50 million redevelopment of the Stillorgan Shopping Centre. Two years ago, he was commissioned by Richard Barrett and Johnny Ronan to redesign the 1960s centre which has been showing its age for years. He produced a characteristically innovative design but to the surprise of many, it was rejected by An Bord Pleanla.

Clearly, disappointed by the decision, Andrej has now told the owners that he won't go back to the drawing board. "I am not willing to start a new design" he told The Irish Times. "I think a new architect may be more successful with a different approach. I think the owners were disappointed with my decision and tried to persuade me to stay. However, we are on very good terms." Mr Barrett and Mr Ronan will now have to appoint a new design team, and spend at least six months trying to push it through. Asked about the sudden loss of his architect, Mr Barrett replied: "No comment."