DublinTown Welcomes Hammerson Announcement Of O’Connell Street District Proposals

DublinTown welcomes the proposals for the O’Connell Street District announced by Hammerson today. We believe that the plans will future proof the district, providing additional reasons to visit the city’s northern commercial core. We further believe that the proposals will act as a catalyst for additional investment within the district that is much needed.

Of particular note is the facilitation of pedestrian movement through the creation of additional walkways connecting the district’s main streets and also the development of recreational spaces. This, we believe, will assist in creating pedestrian flows which will add to the viability of proposed projects such as the development of a cultural quarter on Parnell St. The combination of these attractions as well as hotel development within the overall district will serve to encourage greater tourism spend north of the Liffey. This will assist us in promoting Dublin as an attractive tourist destination and provide balance for tourist movements throughout the city core.

We consider the plans to be consistent with the vision identified in the Dublin One project which was undertaken by DublinTown and Dublin City Council in 2017 and which aimed at creating a district relevant to the needs of Dublin’s residents and visitors in the 2020’s and beyond.

Naturally, there will be concerns amongst local businesses arising from the prospect of large scale construction, however, we are conscious of the many large scale projects which have been undertaken in recent years in the commercial core and which have not hindered local trade. We are confident that the workplans and schedules can be arrived at which will ensure the continued economic vibrancy of the overall district.

We see these ambitious proposals as a vote of confidence in Dublin City Centre and in particular the city’s northern commercial core and look forward to the development of the district that will serve as an exemplar for the 21st century.