THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY Board (ESB) has lodged a planning application with Dublin City Council to redevelop the Fitzwilliam Street site.
The design is described as a “contemporary design” by Grafton Architects and O’Mahony Pike Architects.
The ESB states that the current complex “is a mix of inefficient ageing buildings, some of which were constructed almost seventy years ago and are in poor condition”.
In 1965, 16 Georgian houses were demolished to make way for the current building, which was designed by Sam Stephenson.
Georgian row
There was controversy over the demolition at the time and when discussions were underway for the redevelopment of the site this year, there were calls to reinstate the former Georgian street row.
However, in March, Dublin City Council voted to remove the requirement under the city’s Development Plan for the ‘Georgian Mile’ to be restored.
In a statement today, the ESB states that the new development has been designed with sustainability as a “core principle”, saying that the complex is “very inefficient” when compared to modern buildings, both in terms of energy consumption and use of space.
“Some of the buildings on Fitzwilliam Street have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of F which is amongst the worst energy ratings achievable,” said the ESB.
The new development will achieve a BER of A. ”It will feature innovative, sustainable technologies which will reduce carbon emissions and running costs; for example rain water attenuation and recycling will reduce water consumption 70%,” they said.
Office space
The said the design of the new complex will “bring back the essence of the street while facilitating the creation of a dynamic office space and follows from an international design contest held in recognition of the importance of the South Georgian Core”.
ESB said the development will pay for itself over time and is in addition to the €280 million cost reduction target that the company has already committed to achieve by 2015.
It is anticipated that the redevelopment could create approximately 400 construction jobs over two years.
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