P.J. Hegarty & Sons have commenced construction of a new large Grade A office development comprising over 26,000 square metres of net lettable floor area in two distinct office blocks in Dublin’s prime Merrion Square area.

The redevelopment of ESB’s site on Fitzwilliam Street Lower, which is effectively an entire city block, was given the green light by An Bord Pleanala in late 2015. P.J. Hegarty & Sons were appointed as the main contractors in 2017 and have now cleared the site with excavations begun on basement construction. It is expected that over 500 jobs will be created during the construction which is due to be completed in spring 2020.

The Project will involve the retention and refurbishment of a number of protected Georgian structures and the construction of the two new seven storey office blocks designed by internationally acclaimed Grafton Architects, and O’Mahony Pike Architects.

ESB will occupy one block for its new Head Office, “Fitzwilliam 27”, which will be approximately 13,500sq m and will house over 1300 staff.  The adjacent block, “Fitzwilliam 28”, of approximately 12,500 sq m of prime Grade A sustainable space is to be offered to the market. Property Advisors, Savills and Bannon, have been appointed to secure a suitable tenant or tenants, and will quote a rent of €619 psm (€57.50 per sq. ft.) based on a single tenancy.

Key features of Fitzwilliam 28 include:

• Near Zero Energy Building
• Double-height reception
• 2,452 sq m rooftop terrace garden
• 230 bike spaces, 37 showers, 222 lockers
• 900m from Dublin docklands business district
• 600m from Government Buildings

Opportunities for business development and talent acquisition are enhanced by the central location of Fitzwilliam 28. Its prestigious address in Dublin 2 enjoys the benefit of greater accessibility due to its pivotal position on the city’s transport grid. The numerous public transport options via road, tram and rail offer regular, reliable services on the doorstep of this office building, making it extremely attractive and accessible to future occupants.

Roland O’Connell, Chairman, Savills Ireland, and Lucy Connolly of Bannon comment: “There is  simply no similar office development of this scale and flexibility available in the heart of the Georgian core and traditional CBD, close to all amenities and facilities, and certainly not with the sense of place and historic relevance this scheme exudes. With the understandable development constraints inherent in this area of architectural beauty and heritage it is unlikely we will see another new office scheme of this scale  developed in this location again.”

ESB Chief Executive Pat O’Doherty said: “Today marks another key milestone in this project and I know that the new building will create a modern, sustainable and innovative office space which will reduce carbon emissions, as well as deliver an attractive commercial property in Dublin’s historic Georgian Quarter.”