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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Johnny Ronan group refused permission to build 17-storey block in Dublin docklands
In February, Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) lodged plans for the redevelopment of Citigroup's current European headquarters at 1 North Wall Quay. The scheme involves the demolition of Citigroup's existing six-storey office building and the development of four buildings in its place, ranging in heights of nine storeys to 17. The RGRE firm NWQ Devco Ltd sought a 10-year planning permission Dublin City Council comprehensively rejected the scheme in April, however, prompting NWQ Devco Ltd to appeal the case to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). Now, in refusing planning permission, the planning appeals board has found that the scheme's excessive height, bulk, massing and form would constitute an overly dominant and isolated tall building, one that would be at odds with the surrounding context and would seriously injure the amenity of the Liffey quays and views along the river corridor. The ACP refusal order pointed out that the planned site is a prominent and sensitive location which fronts onto the river Liffey, is within the Liffey quays conservation area, and is in close proximity to neighbouring properties. ACP found that the proposed development would result in significant adverse impacts to residential amenity due to the unacceptable and unjustified loss of daylight and sunlight, and overshadowing of a principal shared amenity space. The planning appeals body also ruled that the scheme did not meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances for enhanced height, density and scale that are set out for landmark tall buildings. In the second part of its order, signed off by planning commissioner Mary Henchy, it says that having regard to the age, form and condition of the existing office building and the result of the whole carbon assessment, the wholesale demolition of the existing building would be both premature and unjustified and would set an unwelcome precedent for similar sites in Dublin. As a result, the commission found that the scheme was contrary to a policy in the City Development Plan, which is to support and promote the retrofitting of existing buildings. Clarion Quay Management (CQE) Company CLG was a third party appellant in support of the council refusal, and its appeal to ACP was aimed at protecting the residential amenity of dwellings and maintaining and improving safe and uncongested access in the area. The RGRE appeal included a claim that the application meets the criteria for 'exceptional circumstances' that would allow planning permission to be granted for a landmark building. The company's submission stated that it appears the City Council did not engage in any analysis or consideration of the 'exceptional circumstance' and whether it is met by the development. Henry J Lyons, the architects, contended that the scheme as submitted was appropriate for the context of the site.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ronan group refused permission to build 17-storey block in Dublin docklands
In February, Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) lodged plans for the redevelopment of Citigroup's current European headquarters at 1 North Wall Quay. The scheme involves the demolition of Citigroup's existing six-storey office building and the development of four buildings in its place, ranging in heights of nine storeys to 17. The RGRE firm NWQ Devco Ltd sought a 10-year planning permission Dublin City Council comprehensively rejected the scheme in April, however, prompting NWQ Devco Ltd to appeal the case to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). Now, in refusing planning permission, the planning appeals board has found that the scheme's excessive height, bulk, massing and form would constitute an overly dominant and isolated tall building, one that would be at odds with the surrounding context and would seriously injure the amenity of the Liffey Quays and important views along the river corridor. The ACP refusal order pointed out that the planned site is a prominent and sensitive location which fronts onto the river Liffey, is within the Liffey Quays conservation area, and is in close proximity to neighbouring properties. ACP found that the proposed development would result in significant adverse impacts to residential amenity due to the unacceptable and unjustified loss of daylight and sunlight, and overshadowing of a principal shared amenity space. The planning appeals body also ruled that the scheme did not meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances for enhanced height, density and scale that are set out for Landmark Tall Buildings. In the second part of its order, signed off by planning commissioner Mary Henchy, it says that having regard to the age, form and condition of the existing office building and the result of the whole carbon assessment, the wholesale demolition of the existing building would be both premature and unjustified and would set an unwelcome precedent for similar sites in Dublin. As a result, the commission found that the scheme was contrary to a policy in the City Development Plan, which is to support and promote the retrofitting of existing buildings. Clarion Quay Management (CQE) Company CLG was a third party appellant in support of the council refusal, and its appeal to ACP was aimed at protecting the residential amenity of dwellings and maintaining and improving safe and uncongested access in the area. The RGRE appeal included a claim that the application meets the criteria for 'exceptional circumstances' that would allow planning permission to be granted for a landmark building. The company's submission stated that it appears that the City Council did not engage in any analysis or consideration of the 'exceptional circumstance' and whether it is met by the development. Henry J Lyons, the architects, contended that the scheme as submitted was appropriate for the context of the site.
Irish Examiner
03-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork City's landmark Roches Stores building to be split into retail units under new plans
The first steps toward returning Cork City's former iconic Roches Stores building – later occupied by Debenhams – to full occupancy are underway. Planning permission is being sought to divide the main front section on St Patrick's Street into three ground-level units, including a large central retail space potentially for Zara or InterSport Elverys, the building's current owners. The planning submission, which includes a 24-page outline document by architects Henry J Lyons, preserves the historic façade and signature dome. This marks the first phase of redevelopment of the vast two-acre store on Cork's premier retail boulevard — seen as key to reducing the street's high vacancy rate. A second application for a mixed-use development — including residential, hotel, and additional retail in the rear section — is expected later this year. The move to seek planning permission for changes to the front entrance of the 1920s department store follows nearly a year of discussions with Spanish retailer Zara, which have since paused, according to John Staunton, director and co-owner of InterSport Elverys. "It's too important a building for Cork city centre to be left idle any longer," he said. The Mayo family-owned business, which operates online and across 46 stores nationwide, employing 700 people, purchased the property for €12m in May 2023. It had originally been listed at €20m after Debenhams, who leased the building, controversially ceased operations in Ireland in 2020. The site has deep roots in Cork retail history, dating back to William Roche's founding of Roches Stores in 1901. The site could return to thriving bricks-and-mortar retail use in time for its centenary. The original premises was destroyed in the December 1920 Burning of Cork, with the current nine-bay, three-storey, copper-dome-topped building opening in 1927, designed by renowned local architects Chillingworth and Levie. The site could return to thriving bricks-and-mortar retail use in time for its centenary. 'You'll never get a building with space like this again in a city centre,' noted owner Mr Staunton. Subject to a smooth planning process, trading could begin by Christmas 2025. Lease terms have already been agreed for a beauty and cosmetics store on the right-hand side, while InterSport Elverys will occupy the central area — 16,000 sq ft at ground level and 22,000 sq ft above, under a reduced atrium/dome area installed in the 1990s. 'There's a list as long as your arm' for the left-hand unit, Mr Staunton added. A fourth retailer will take space along the side elevation, with a dedicated entrance onto Maylor Street. The full redevelopment — potentially including a gym, retail, residential, or hotel use — will re-establish pedestrian links from Maylor Street to Merchants Quay Shopping Centre. Sources yesterday suggested Zara, which already operates at Mahon Point in Cork, may yet renew its interest. 'Anything is possible. Never say never,' Mr Staunton said, confirming that Elverys is prepared to occupy the main central unit as soon as planning is approved. Read More Cork GAA secures documents order in €96m Páirc Uí Chaoimh redevelopment case
Yomiuri Shimbun
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ireland Opens New Embassy Building in Japan; Visiting Irish Prime Minister Pledges Commitment to Bilateral Ties
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of Ireland House, the new Irish embassy building, was held in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Wednesday. Before cutting the ribbon together, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Hisayuki Fujii, state minister of foreign affairs, both made speeches expressing the two countries' commitment to further improving their bilateral relations. Also in attendance were Irish Ambassador to Japan Damien Cole and Princess Hisako of renewal of the Irish embassy was described by Martin as one of the 'flagship projects of the [Irish] government's global strategy' and a 'physical symbol of [Ireland's] long-term commitment to a deep bilateral relationship with Japan.' Acting as the Japanese government's representative at the ceremony, Fujii made his speech in both Japanese and English. He described Japan and Ireland as 'partners with shared ambitions.' Martin is in Japan for a four-day visit, having arrived on Tuesday. He met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday, during which he said they 'reaffirmed our [two countries'] commitment to continue to take our relations and exchanges to a new, higher level over the next decade.' The commitment is based on the 2022 Joint Leader's Statement issued by Martin and then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Martin was set to visit the Osaka-Kansai Expo on Thursday and then travel to Hiroshima on Friday to mark 80 years since the city's atomic of cultures Ireland House Tokyo is a five-minute walk from JR Yotsuya Station and covers about 2,700 square meters. Its construction has been described as one of the largest single capital investments ever made overseas by the Irish government. The building's design was chosen through a competition run by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 2019, with the winning proposal coming from Dublin-based architecture firm Henry J Lyons. Under the theme 'Irish stone meets Japanese stone,' the building incorporates limestone from Kilkenny, Ireland, and granite from the Setouchi islands. Elements of both Irish caislean tower houses and traditional Japanese machiya townhouses have been interwoven to symbolize the expanding relationship between the two countries.
The Journal
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
This Irish embassy in Japan is the state's most expensive building constructed outside Ireland
IRELAND HOUSE IN Tokyo is the most expensive capital project the Irish government has undertaken outside the island of Ireland. The building, which will hold the new embassy, the ambassador's residence as well as the hubs for Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Bord Bia, was officially launched today by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. In 2017, the government decided to develop a new Ireland House in Japan to showcase and promote Ireland. At a cost of €20.5 million it is the most expensive building constructed outside the state. Though questions have been raised in the past about the cost, it is just three years since the Taoiseach turned the sod on the project and it has come in on budget. Advertisement Taoiseach turning the sod on the project three years ago. PA PA Batting away the criticisms about the cost in 2020, Brendan Rogers, the former deputy secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs, told the Business Post that money spent was fully justified. 'This will represent Ireland to the Japanese nation,' he said, stating that creating a good impression was extremely important when it came to doing business in Asia. Henry J Lyons, a Dublin architectural firm, won the design competition for the project five years ago. Peter McGovern, architect and director of the firm told The Journal that the project is about integrating the Irish tower house and the very traditional Japanese timber joinery in one contemporary fusion. Related Reads Over Guinness and Enya music, Martin talks trade, undersea cables and 'Bakebake' with Japanese PM Flogging beef tongue and Irish whiskey: Taoiseach and ministers travel to Japan in major trade push I Henry J Lyons Henry J Lyons 'Tokyo is a very particular kind of city, and it's quite different than Dublin. Context is less important in terms of the architectural language. So this building is really quite distinctive own identity,' he said. 'I think you've seen everybody who comes into the building, take an intake of breath. It is stunning. The light quality, the way the spaces flow, are all very positive. And I think that this is the way we should be presenting ourselves, particularly on foreign soils, as a confident nation, who have a real place in the world,' he added. Speaking today at Ireland House, the Taoiseach said the Irish government's decision to build Ireland House Tokyo is a very tangible sign of Ireland's commitment to the relationship with Japan. He said the building will 'serve as a platform for Team Ireland to continue their very valuable work here in Tokyo for decades to come.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
