Construction BUSINESS

In a significant development, Dublin City Council has given the green light to a €100 million redevelopment plan for the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, a prominent landmark in the heart of the capital. The initiative, spearheaded by DTDL Ltd and managed by the financial firm Davy, aims to rejuvenate the shopping centre, which was first opened in 1988.

The council’s approval comes after the applicants, DTDL Ltd, made adjustments to the scale and massing of the redevelopment scheme, addressing concerns and significantly reducing the visual impact on the sensitive urban environment. This redevelopment initiative is set to transform the existing shopping centre, which was purchased by Davy for a reported €175 million on behalf of its clients in 2019.

The proposed changes include an increased setback at the sixth-floor level, effectively reducing the appearance of the scheme by one storey. The overall development aligns with the City Council’s height strategy, as outlined in a 51-page planner’s report recommending the grant of permission.

While the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has been a local landmark since its inception, the planner’s report notes that its architectural significance is not the primary reason for its status, and the shopping centre is not designated as a Protected Structure. The proposed redevelopment envisions a mix of uses, including office spaces, retail areas, and cultural facilities such as a cinema and gallery space.

The original scheme, submitted in December, outlined a gross floor area of 87,932 square meters, with an overall net increase of 21,419 square meters compared to the existing development. The largest component of the plan is dedicated to office use, providing 35,043 square meters of office space and ancillary areas.

In response to concerns raised by the Council, the applicants increased the allocation of space for retail and Food & Beverage establishments. Among the conditions attached to the planning permission are obligations for the developers to contribute €3.96 million towards planning developer contributions and an additional €1.27 million for the LUAS C1 Line Scheme.

An architectural design statement prepared by BKD architects, the architects behind the ambitious plan, highlights the challenges faced by the existing shopping centre in attracting sustainable retailers. The proposed redevelopment aims to address these challenges by reconfiguring the street-level retail mall to accommodate larger and higher-quality shops, with commercial office use on the upper floors.

Planning consultants for the scheme, John Spain & Associates, emphasized that the existing building had become outdated and argued that the proposal represents a significant rejuvenation of a key site at the gateway to Dublin’s south retail core.

However, not everyone is on board with the redevelopment plans. Frank McDonald, former Environment Editor at the Irish Times, submitted concerns to the council, stating that the proposal appeared to be an “over-scaled office development.” He expressed worry that the proposed changes would alter the view from within St Stephen’s Green, and questioned whether the envisioned transformation was worth the potential impact.

As the redevelopment moves forward, the debate surrounding its potential effects on the iconic St Stephen’s Green continues, emphasising the delicate balance between progress and preserving the character of Dublin’s cityscape.