
St Stephen's Green 'dome' saved from wrecking ball
This follows An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) refusing planning permission to contentious plans for the €100million redevelopment of the centre, which would have removed the dome and much of the glass structure.
An Taisce had complained that a new office development in its place 'lacks architectural sensitivity towards St Stephen's Green and results in the loss of an impressive naturally lit space'. One of Dublin's most famous landmarks – the dome at the St Stephen's Green Centre – has been saved… for now. Pic: Getty
The appeal came before ACP after third party appeals by An Taisce, former Irish Times Environment Editor Frank McDonald and St Stephen's Green Centre trader, Emmett Rogers.
Mr Rogers has been operating the Tribe outlet at the centre since 1992.
In his appeal, he said he was 'horrified' the Council had granted planning permission to the mixed-use scheme.
The refusal by ACP overturns a grant of permission made to DTDL Ltd issued by Dublin City Council in December 2023. The refusal by ACP overturns a grant of permission made to DTDL Ltd issued by Dublin City Council in December 2023.-
The largest component of the new scheme was to be 35,043 sq metres of offices and ancillary spaces and the applicants increased the level of retail and food and beverage space after the Council expressed concerns.
Opening the door for a future application, ACP said the replacement of the façade, including the external trellis detailing and dome, would not contravene the Dublin City Development Plan, subject to an appropriately high Glass ceiling: The iconic dome of St Stephen's Green Centre quality design solution.

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