Department of Health set to move to former BoI HQ

The Department of Health is in discussions to move its headquarters to the former Bank of Ireland HQ at Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, which is currently being remodelled and redeveloped.

The Office of Public Works has been negotiating in recent weeks with agents for the beef baron Larry Goodman whose Parma Developments acquired the complex in 2013 for just over €40 million.

The health department has been based for many years in Hawkins House in Poolbeg Street, just off the city quays, and has made known its wish to relocate because of the rundown condition of the building. The department is believed to be looking for up to 13,935sq m (150,000sq ft) but has not yet made a formal offer for the bank building which has an overall floor area of 20,345sq m (219,000s q ft).

Agent Knight Frank had been quoting in the region of €645 per sq m (€60 per sq ft) for the newly named Miesian Plaza, which is being upgraded at a cost of around €100 million. Two of the three blocks on site will be ready for fit out within two months while the rear block is due to be completed by the end of the year. There will be 125 parking spaces at basement level.

In 2008 the bank's head office was sold to the Landmark consortiumheaded by Derek Quinlan and Paddy Shovlin for €180 million. The firm's plans for the centre were disrupted, first by a planning refusal and later by Dublin City Council's decision to designate it as a protected structure.