Plans for the redevelopment of St James’s Gate site in Dublin have been unveiled by Guinness owner Diageo, reports Keeva Tyrrell.
The international drinks company, Diageo, plans to develop an estimated 12.6 acres of the St. James’s Gate site into a new urban quarter for Dublin.
Diageo said due to the advancements in technology, it can now brew its product in a smaller space thereby leaving a surplus of space for the company to use for other investments.
The urban quarter will be situated in the popular Guinness brewery in the heart of the city centre.
The redevelopment project would transform the Dublin 8 area and would also be one of the largest developments in the city centre in many years.
Diageo have received planning permission for a €25m development “to provide craft distillery and [a] visitor centre in what was their power station on Thomas Street,” said a spokesperson for Dublin City Council.
The new urban quarter will feature a mixture of commercial and residential space along with public spaces and streets that will be integrated within the Liberties area.
Diageo redevelopment in Dublin 8
The residential aspect of the area should prove to be appealing for those looking to set up a new home in the coming years and with the Living City Initiative from Dublin City Council, it could be a smart move to make.
The Living City Initiative focuses on encouraging people to live in historic centres in cities like Dublin.
“The aim of the Living City Initiative is to bring life back to the heart of the cities by offering tax relief for qualifying expenditure incurred on the refurbishment or conversion of certain buildings were conditions are met,” said a spokesperson from Dublin City Council.
The spokesperson said: “The initiative is designed to encourage the renovation and reuse of pre-1915 city centre properties and there are so many such properties in the Liberties so there is great potential for further renewal in Dublin 8.”
Fáilte Ireland were happy to welcome this proposed development at the St. James’s Gate site with Guinness Storehouse being Dublin’s most popular tourist attraction last year, attracting over 1.6 million visitors through its doors.
“We are thrilled that this development, which builds on the industrial heritage of the area, will be located along the Dubline, an orientation route for visitors that runs through the heart of the city from Parnell Square out to Kilmainham Gaol,” said Keelin Fagan, Head of Dublin Programme with Fáilte Ireland.
The upgrade of the site is one of a long list of developments that have been planned and some which have already been achieved in the area.
“Along with other exciting developments such as ongoing public realm improvements that have been funded by Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council, the recently opened Pearse Lyons Distillery and Visitor Centre, new cafes and restaurants, and Diageo’s own planned Roe & Co Distillery and visitor centre on James’s St, this area of the city is becoming an ever more attractive destination for overseas visitors,” said Ms. Fagan.