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In 2008 ESB decided to re-develop its Headquarters site on Fitzwilliam Street Lower in Dublin 2, at the heart of Dublin’s historic Georgian core. The site occupies almost the entire city block bound by Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Baggot Street Lower, James Street East and Mount Street Upper. The headquarters complex comprised four buildings built between 1949 and 1985 as well as the Georgian terrace on Mount Street Upper. The accommodation was inefficient and dated with poor energy efficiency. In 2009, ESB decided to procure the design for the redevelopment through an International Design Competition.
The brief was to redevelop the site primarily as a headquarters for ESB with ancillary commercial and/or retail space and/or residential available for third party use. ESB sought the development of an exemplar sustainable and innovative headquarters, capable of sub-division in the future and of providing a viable commercial return.
The design contest also assessed the entrant’s approach to sustainable design, energy conservation, proposed BER, anticipated energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The completed development has achieved a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating and a BER ofA3. Heating and Cooling are delivered with ground and air source heat pumps combined with natural ventilation solutions with zero local carbon emissions aligning with ESB’s net-zero 2040 goals.
Proposals for the Fitzwilliam Street façade were required to demonstrate respect for the surrounding Georgian streetscape and protected structures. 44 international submissions were received and, in 2011, Grafton Architects and OMP Architects were appointed by ESB. The quality and sensitivity of their winning design overcame all suggestions to either retain the 1970’s façade on Fitzwilliam Street Lower or reconstruct a semblance of the original Georgian terrace.
The completed building thoughtfully restores the eastern edge of Fitzwilliam Street. It is very much in harmony with the rhythm and feel of the historic street, while clearly being something new. The addition of a new pedestrian street through the building combined with sunken courtyards and a public plaza generously enhance the surrounding Georgian streetscape. The finished development is a testament to Grafton Architects’ approach to design and their strong emphasis on integrity inbuilding and placemaking; it is a magnificent addition to the built environment in Dublin City.
The architects and other members of the design team we renovated to P.J. Hegarty & Sons, the project’s Design & Build Contractor, in 2017. The completed development delivered two office blocks - Fitzwilliam 27 & 28.
The Georgian terrace on Mount Street Upper was refurbished and six of the houses were adapted to create eleven residential apartments and town houses which were subsequently sold to individual purchasers. The remaining three houses were refurbished as offices.
Fitzwilliam 28 (12,500m2) was sold by ESB to support the commercial business case for the overall development.
ESB undertook the fit out of Fitzwilliam 27 (15,000m2) as their new headquarters. The fit out contract included the completion of the Core Finishes, including the installation of all primary plant and lifts, and the entire Category A&B fit outs.
The fitout brief called for a leading example of sustainable and innovative office accommodation, which would deliver efficient layouts and engaging working environments for th eoccupants. It included requirements for staff control of the environment, openable windows, access to outdoor space, ample natural light, planting, cycling facilities, multifunctional exercise space, as well as breakout spaces including a restaurant and café with rooftop terrace space. The project team and AECOM defined a workplace strategy, engaging management and staff in detailed interviews, workshops and staff surveys. They also used market research and experiences of other companies to produce the detailed project brief and key design principles.
The resulting brief included a variety of work settings to facilitate a varied working day, including traditional desk settings, project spaces, collaboration areas, social areas and enclosed meeting rooms with varying capacity (2–100 people). Bicycle parking exceeding BCO standards was provided, along with shower and changing facilities. A multi-purpose room was provided for classes. The main stairs is visibly central to building circulation to promote its use over lifts.
Walls Construction contractors were appointed and commenced fit out in November 2019. The project reached completion in early 2022.
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