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No.1 Capel Street dates from approximately 1838 in its most recent iteration and incorporates primary masonry fabric dating to circa 1785.
It is a protected structure, entered on the RPS Ref: 1169 and is located within a Conservation Area in the Historic Core of the City as defined in the Development Plan:
It has been surveyed under the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage completed in 2016, Reg No: 5001O359, (wherein the address is noted as being 1-1a Ormond Quay Lower) and rated as being of ‘Regional Significance’ and cited as being of ‘Architectural and Cultural interest’.
Kelly and Cogan Architects were appointed in 2016 to act as conservation architects and design team leaders for the conservation, restoration and refurbishment of No. 1 as a mixed use development comprising commercial office and café use at ground level and short-term let apartments on the floors above.
The building was in poor condition, albeit weatherproofed as a result of emergency interventions carried out by Dublin City Council for its protection. Nonetheless it remained in need of significant repair and intervention in order to safeguard its condition as a protected structure to allow for its permanent use and access
The works carried out represent both a change of use and a major programme of conservation work which has removed unsympathetic modern alterations has enabled the building to be brought back to its known historic configuration.
It was determined at an early stage that the long term future of the building was best served by the use of the ground floor and basement as a commercial office and café premises and of the upper floors over ground level as short term (short lease) accommodation whereby the accommodation proposed might be used on a holiday or short term basis as this would not only enhance the long term economic viability of the building but would also allow it to be seen and experienced by as wide a variety of occupants as possible.
The building illustrated by Malton in his iconic 1797 image of Essex Bridge, survives embedded within a re-modelling of circa 1838 which rendered over the primary facades in Roman Cement, re-ordered the internal configuration at ground floor to a two shop plan at ground level, and resulted in the installation of a delicate arched shopfront configuration to both facades parts of which had survived behind later fabric and which have now been restored and reinstated as a part of the works
While only the masonry fabric and the gothic, round headed windows to both Capel Street and the Quays survives of the 1785 scheme, the later 1830s remodelling survives substantially intact and the building retains much of is original detail of that date including architraves, casings (with squared and fluted 19th century mouldings), staircase and doors as well as lime plaster to walls and cornices.
The original 1830s floor plan is substantially intact, the most notable change being the removal of the hallway wall between it and the shop at ground level leading to the main staircase.
The works have enabled not only the conservation of surviving historic fabric and the works necessary to facilitate the new uses proposed but also the removal of a number of insensitive interventions carried out In the latter part of the twentieth century, including alterations to the shop fronts eliminating the integrity of the 1830s interventions, removal of the parapet and cornice moulding, removal of the pitched roofs, partial removal of original wall plaster, installation of partitions to sub-divide primary rooms at second floors, installation of toilets in the shop units, and unsympathetic and poorly executed services installations.
While the works have proven complex and highly challenging, the reinstatement of this important and iconic quayside building in its 1830’s configuration is an important step forward for the city, not only in terms of the conservation and restoration of built heritage but in terms of urban conservation for the city as a whole.
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Location |
Capel Street and Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1 |
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Date Of Construction |
1787 and 1838 |
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Client |
Danoj Developments Limited |
Location: Capel Street and Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1
Date Of Construction: 1787 & 1838
Client: Danoj Developments Limited
