Family members of the late architect Sam Stephenson and renowned late sculptor Éamonn O’Doherty were at Central Plaza this morning to view the reinstatement by the city’s Lord Mayor of the famous Crann an Óir sculpture to its original home on Central Plaza.
Assembled guests watched Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy perform the official unveiling of Crann An Óir on the Plaza, directly in front of the newly refurbished and restored One Central Plaza, the former Central Bank structure designed by Mr Stephenson in the 1970’s and now fully redeveloped by Hines.
The ceremony took place last Thursday, September 22nd to mark the official completion of works at the site. Fitout projects are now underway by a number of incoming occupiers.
Speaking at the launch event, Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy said:
“It is great to see a global developer of the calibre of Hines stepping up to the challenge of taking on both the restoration and indeed the reimagining of such an iconic building, and one which is truly unlike any other structure in Dublin city centre. This has been a bold and visionary redesign of the building.
“The Hines team clearly saw the social value in such a task and the team have brought their collective expertise and global experience to bear on this project over the past four years, and we are all the better for it.
“As well as introducing new modern uses for spaces and areas throughout the project, they have clearly approached the restoration element of the project with great care and consideration and respect for the architectural heritage of this site, and for that they are to be congratulated”
Central Plaza was redeveloped by Hines and Peterson and includes the former Central Bank of Ireland on Dame Street and College Green. Designed by award-winning architect Sam Stephenson in the 1970s, the 12-storey building (One Central Plaza) and adjacent buildings (Two Central Plaza) as well along with 6/8 and 9, College Green, all of which were acquired in 2017.
