The developer who demolished Archer's Garage, a listed 1940s building in the centre of Dublin, has been refused planning permission to erect a five-storey office building on the remainder of the site.
Through Dellyberg Ltd, Mr Noel O'Callaghan, owner of the Mont Clare, Davenport, Alexander and Stephen's Green hotels, had obtained a favourable decision from Dublin Corporation for the L-shaped office block. But this has been overturned by An Bord Pleanala.
In its ruling on an appeal by two local residents, Mr David Hughes and Ms Carmel McCormack, the board said the proposed 10,568 sq metres (113,754 sq ft) of office space would constitute over-development of the site at Fenian Street, to the rear of Merrion Square.
Because of its scale, design and finish, it would "fail to respect the architectural integrity" of the former EWI Electric building (previously Archer's Garage), which Mr O'Callaghan is legally obliged to reconstruct under an agreement with the corporation.
The garage, dating from the romantic era of motoring in Ireland, was illegally demolished over the June bank holiday weekend last year. Mr O'Callaghan, who is a director of Bord Failte, could have faced a fine of up to £1 million and/or two years in prison.
Following a public outcry over the demolition of this Grade 1 listed building, the hotelier-developer was required to sign a legal agreement with the corporation providing for the former garage to be faithfully reconstructed in facsimile, based on the original drawings.
Dellyberg Ltd, which is controlled by Mr O'Callaghan, subsequently sought planning permission for the reconstruction. This was granted by the corporation and was not contested by objectors, despite serious doubts on their part.
The proposed office development which has now been turned down by An Bord Pleanala would have wrapped around the rear of the reconstructed garage, with access links at first and second floors through a three-storey glazed atrium between the two buildings.
In refusing permission for the scheme, the appeals board said that its bulk, design and singleuse nature - consisting of offices at every levels - would create an "abrupt transition in scale" and "seriously injure the amenities of property" in a residential conservation zone.
Mr Hughes and Ms McCormack, who live in Erne Street abutting the former Archer's site, were both surprised by the blanket nature of the board's refusal. They had anticipated that their appeal might result in the omission of a single floor from the proposed office block.
