Work on €44m restoration of fruit and veg market to begin next month
Purcell Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the restoration and refurbishment of the 127-year-old redbrick building in Smithfield, closed since 2019.
It is planned to transform the market hall and adjoining yards into a bustling food retail destination, with space for cafés, restaurants, food producers and public events.
Dublin City Council has confirmed that construction will begin in early June.
'We are delighted to be appointed as main contractor on the restoration and refurbishment of the historic 127-year-old Victorian fruit and vegetable market building in the north inner city for Dublin City Council, with works to commence in early June,' Purcell Construction said.
'The project involves extensive restoration and refurbishment works to the 6,000sq.m building and 2,500sq.m of adjoining yards, to provide a vibrant trading space for food producers, cafés, restaurants, open food markets and a public event space.
'We are looking forward to working again with DCC and the design Team of Cotter & Naessens Architects, John J. Casey & Co., PUNCH Consulting Engineers, Varming Consulting Engineers Ltd., Carrig Conservation International Ltd & Occupli,' they added.
The €44m redevelopment will include extensive structural restoration, roof repairs and conservation work, with the goal of returning the landmark site to its original use as a vibrant market space.
The project is being funded in part by a €30m loan approved by city councillors earlier this year, with repayments expected to be covered through rental income, car parking revenue and profit-sharing once the market is operational.
Dublin City Council said the revamped market will focus on affordable, locally-sourced Irish food and will offer space for up to 88 traders.
It will also feature an 80-seat restaurant, demonstration kitchen, community event space and eco-friendly design elements.
The future operation of the market will be modelled more closely on the English Market in Cork.
The market's revitalisation has been years in the making, with planning permission first granted in 2015.
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