2004 – Liffey House, Tara Street, Dublin

Architect: Donnelly Turpin Architects

liffeyhouse_lge

Various Departments of the former Dublin Corporation were accommodated in the original Liffey House. This building, located at the junction of Tara Street with Townsend Street was typical of the drab, low quality office blocks erected by speculators in the late 1960’s. It was an eyesore and contributed nothing to the life of the street.

Dublin City Council embarked on a radical new policy in the 1990’s to encourage the redevelopment of this section of the inner city. The Fire Brigade Headquarter site which encompassed sections of Pearse Street, Tara Street and Townsend Street, was redeveloped. The Markievicz Swimming Pool was demolished and rebuilt. Finally, completion of the Civic Offices on Wood Quay allowed staff to be decanted and Liffey House vacated.

The new Liffey House is a striking eight-storey structure which has become a landmark on this prominent corner. The very elegant façade is formed by a combination of black basalt stone and brick cladding, and a custom designed high performance glazing system which optimises natural lighting whilst controlling thermal, glare and acoustic performance. Now the home of The Irish Times who moved here in 2007 from their former offices on D’Olier Street.