Construction BUSINESS

With new office buildings planned for Dublin city centre expected to follow the high rent example of the LXV block under construction on St Stephen’s Green, agents Knight Frank are anticipating considerable interest in an office block with redevelopment potential at Mespil Court on Mespil Road, Dublin 4. Paul Hanly of Knight Frank is guiding €10.5 million for the five-storey building which is to be sold on behalf of Percy Nominees Ltd, a subsidiary of Davy.
The block stands on a site of 0.22 hectares and has a net internal area of 2,180sq m (23,465sq ft) and 18 parking spaces. It was previously occupied by Allianz.
The building has car and pedestrian access through Burleigh Court from Burlington Road. The main entrance is off Mespil Road and the Grand Canal.
An architectural feasibility study and planning appraisal by McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects and planning consultants John Spain and Associates provides for a new four-storey office building over lower ground floor extending to 3,700 sq m (39,826 sq ft) with 10 parking spaces and 46 bicycle spaces. The planning appraisal highlights the strong possibility under the current city development plan of achieving a fifth floor set back penthouse suite to bring the total net floor area up to 4,114 sq m (44,605 sq ft).

Modern building
The proposed design allows for the opening up of the existing 6.9m wide plaza from Mespil Road and the creation of a new entrance courtyard that will address the Grand Canal and re-orientate the public front of the building on to Mespil Road. The result should be an impressive stone and glass building with floors ranging in size from 388sq m – 893sq m (4,176sq ft – 9,612 sq ft).
Paul Hanly said they were expecting considerable interest in Mespil Court particularly as there was now a significant shortage of new office opportunities in Dublin 4. He said the present building could be let while awaiting a new planning permission.