Iconic Clerys to be transformed ‘sympathetically’

PLANS to develop the iconic Clerys store on O’Connell Street into a vibrant mixed-use city quarter have been published by its new owners.

Europa Capital, the pan-European investment manager, and its local partners, Core Capital and Oakmount, are promising a sympathetic transformation of the listed building into a “world class” retail, office and leisure destination.

Plans include the restoration of Clerys’ iconic features including the colonnaded façade, internal staircases, columns and ceilings and the famous Clerys’ clock, under which generations of Dubliners met. 

Clerys’ original restaurant and bar, The Tea Rooms, will also be fully refurbished.

Over 400 jobs will be created from the Clerys Quarter and the new owners – who acquired the development in October last year with the benefit of planning permission to extend the buildings – expect construction works to begin before the end of March.

An estimated 750 jobs will be created during the construction phase.

“Clerys Quarter will combine both traditional elements and modern concepts to create a new city centre destination that will regenerate Dublin’s landmark street,” a spokesperson said.

The development will include a 176-bedroom four-star hotel, prime office and retail space, a panoramic rooftop restaurant and events venue and new food and beverage units.

The owners say they are currently in discussions with a number of occupiers for the retail, office and hospitality areas and the tendering process for contractors is well underway and due to be completed shortly.

The retail area of the development will be spread over the existing basement, ground and first floors of the iconic 165-year-old Clerys Building.

“The retail space will be unparalleled in the Irish retail market, given the iconic status of the property and its location on one of the most well-known retail thoroughfares in Ireland,” a spokesperson said.

Plans also include a new street level destination for hospitality located on Earl Place.

The owners say the Earl Place Market will be home to Dublin’s growing food and beverage community, showcasing some of the best independent restaurants, cafes and bars from around the city.

The new hotel and the Moxy hotel – a separate new development nearby being undertaken by Tetrarch – will anchor Earl Place Market.

The 64,100 sq ft of prime office space will be situated over three floors above the retail areas within the existing Clerys building, as well as in the newly developed Earl Building, which will face onto North Earl Street.

Images and updates to plans will be published on a website for the development at ClerysQuarter.ie.

Dublin business group, DublinTown, has welcomed the plans saying it’s exactly what the area needs.

"DublinTown very much welcomes this proposal for the Clerys site,” said CEO, Richard Guiney.

“This mixed use development is in keeping with our Dublin One Vision for the area. We see a development like this, including high-end food and beverage, office space and retail, being exactly what the district needs.

"Once complete, the office workers and staff will become increasingly important to the local economy. We look forward to seeing the site complete in 2020.”