Tallest building in the Village (and Dublin)
NAMA applies for mammoth office block at 3Arena
IT’S already the site of one of Ireland’s l argest l i ve venues. Now the Point Village looks set to become the location of Dublin’s tallest office building.
Standing 73m high – 15m taller than Liberty Hall – ‘The Exo’ Building could accommodate up to 2,000 office workers.
NAMA is funding the planning application as part of its overall commitment to facilitate new development within the provisions of the Dockland’s Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
The Point Village is one of only a handful of locations where taller buildings are permitted in Dublin. The Exo, designed by Irish firm Shay Cleary Architects, responds to the design brief set out in the SDZ Planning Scheme and reflects the importance of this site within the wider Docklands.
Subject to planning approval, construction will take some 24 months – creating more than 350 jobs in the process. The overall development construction cost will be in the region of €80million. According to Savills and CBRE – joint letting agents for The Exo – The Point Village is benefiting from Dublin’s economic recovery, with demand for commercial and retail space growing rapidly.
Last year, Yahoo moved its Europe-Middle East and Africa headquarters to the Point Village and now accommodates 375 employees in offices there. Meanwhile, the area is also home to the Gibson Hotel and an Odeon cinema, which opened in 2012.
Grant Thornton also announced yesterday that Starbucks, Eddie Rocket’s, Piano Plus and other retailers have entered into leases to open stores within the Point Village Centre, with many due to open in early 2016.
Stephen Tennant from Grant Thornton said: ‘The Point Village has the potential to become Dublin’s newest commercial, entertainment and leisure hub. The economic downturn stalled its progress, but due to the strong demand for quality office and retail space in Dublin, it is now the opportune time to recommence development of a new commercial and entertainment hub.’
Brendan McDonagh, chief executive of NAMA, said: ‘This is part of the extensive land area within
‘Downturn stalled
progress’
the SDZ connected with NAMA and we look forward to supporting further significant planning and development projects within the SDZ over the remainder of this year and into 2016.
‘NAMA is committed to facilitating the delivery of the SDZ scheme objectives, in particular the provision of new employment and residential accommodation and is working closely with Dublin City Council to achieve this.’