1894 – Arnott’s, Henry Street, Dublin

Architect: G.P Beater

Ireland’s largest single department store, and one of the biggest in Europe when it is extended into Independent House on Abbey Street. A grandiose Victorian design, the building has suffered greatly through fire, partial demolition and unsuitable extensions.

It seems that the original block which stretched from Princes Street to Henry Street was completely destroyed in 1894 after a fire. The replacement was designed by G.P Beater in 1894, and extended in 1904. As completed, it does not match Beater’s original concept which had two central towers and a longer facade. The top of the tower was removed in 1949. And a further curtain-walled extension added in the 1960s.