A 50 million euro redevelopment of two buildings in the heart of Dublin has been announced.
The old Department of Health headquarters Hawkins House off Tara Street is to be demolished along with neighbouring Apollo House and new public plaza developed to open up the area.
Planning chiefs hope the design will create a more pedestrian friendly area and revive what they said was “an impenetrable block” on the edge of College Green.
Both buildings date from the 1960s and have long since shown their age.
Sean Canney, junior minister responsible for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, said Hawkins House was obsolete and not fit for modern working:
“This development represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new vibrant commercial and government office quarter in the city of Dublin,” he said.
“My Office works closely with its client departments and it is clear that Hawkins House is now obsolete and no longer meets the demand for modern flexible workspace.
“The development of this site will provide up to 60% more office space, will offer significant savings in running costs and will facilitate my office to reach sustainability targets and free up older leased buildings throughout the city.”
The redevelopment will see offices up to 10 storeys high on the Hawkins House site and between five and 12 storeys on the Apollo House site.
Both will have room for cafe, restaurant and retail space on the ground floors and roof terraces at various locations – while public spaces leading on to Poolbeg St and Hawkins St will be landscaped.
The applications were lodged with Dublin City Council on Thursday.
