Irish architects Grafton, RKD and MOLA join Acme to advance ambitious regeneration
Hammerson has today announced the appointment of a design team for its planned regeneration project in Dublin’s north inner-city known as Dublin Central. The expanded team, including several renowned Irish practices, will advance existing proposals to bring forward planning applications in the first half of 2021.
Dublin Central will occupy a significant position in Dublin 1, with site frontage to Upper O’Connell Street, Parnell Street, Moore Street and Henry Street. Proposals are for a mixed-use development including workspace, residential, hotel, restaurant and retail uses set within new pedestrian links and public spaces.
The design team will be led by Acme Architects under Friedrich Ludewig. Acme has been appointed since 2018 as lead architect and has brought forward a new masterplan for the project. The practice has a longstanding partnership with Hammerson, having delivered award-winning UK projects including Victoria Gate in Leeds, Westquay South in Southampton and Highcross in Leicester.
Joining the team are some of Ireland’s finest design talent from renowned agencies: Grafton, MOLA and RKD:
Grafton Architects is led by Pritzker prize winning architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara. The international practice is best known in Ireland for its work on buildings for Trinity College Dublin, UCD and the University of Limerick and the Department of Finance on Merrion Row. Other landmark projects include the ESB Headquarters in Dublin and The Marshall Building at the London School of Economics, London (each currently on site).
MOLA Architecture is a well-respected architectural design studio led by Michael O’Carroll and Ralph Bingham. The Dublin based studio has won best interior design practice of the year in 2015, 2016 and 2018. In recent years, MOLA has completed projects at 1 Windmill Lane, Capital Dock and Hyatt Centric Dublin. Current projects include 10 Hanover Quay, the Tara Towers redevelopment and Newmarket Square, Dublin 8.
RKD is an internationally recognised architecture agency, with a strong reputation in delivering interesting and innovative commercial space including standalone buildings such as One Microsoft Place in Sandyford, Co. Dublin and mixed use developments such as Dublin Landings in Dublin 1 and the LinkedIn EMEA campus in Dublin 2.
The Dublin Central scheme is one of the city’s largest regeneration projects and will act as a catalyst for further economic growth and redevelopment in the north inner-city with potential for up to 9,400 construction jobs and up to 2,500 thereafter.
Simon Betty, Managing Director City Quarters, Hammerson, said: “We have assembled an outstanding design team, boasting the best of Irish architectural expertise, to undertake this important project. These award-winning architects are renowned for their iconic designs at home and abroad and will work alongside Acme to make Dublin Central the embodiment of a modern, innovative outward-looking city, while complementing the area’s unique history and culture.”
“Dublin Central presents an exceptional opportunity to create a landmark quarter in Dublin’s north inner city. We are delighted to have appointed a full design team for the project and are looking forward to bringing the ambitious vision and plans for Dublin Central to life.”
Dublin Central presents a real opportunity to appropriately regenerate a long-neglected historic part of Dublin whilst retaining the long-standing traditions and heritage of the area. The proposals seek to ensure that the area around 14 – 17 Moore Street, which is designated a National Monument due to its role in the Easter Rising, is enhanced as part of the creation of this new quarter.
ENDS