OfficeMarket:A waterfront office block with a high spec and great views is in the heart of a new financial and legal quarter taking shape in the south docklands, writes Jack Fagan
The Dublin docklands continues to throw up ever more architectural gems.
The north and south docks are lined by some of the most striking third generation office buildings in the city and, with more banks, high-tech companies and professional firms opting to move there,developers look set to push ahead with even more speculative blocks.
After about four years of intense development, there are relatively few waterside sites available and most of those not yet built on have either been reserved or are targeted at specific companies.
Even Bank of Ireland may have to settle for a backwater site off Mayor Street if it decides to locate its back office headquarters near the Point Depot.
The other site shortlisted for the 51,095sq m (550,000sq ft) facility is at Eastpoint Business Park where there are no restrictions on the views.
With many companies rushing to book the scarce riverside sites, a recently built headquarters building with stunning views over the entire docklands area has surprisingly come on the market because of a last minute cancellation of a letting deal.
The Observatory, a distinctive 7,432sq m (80,000sq ft) building at 7-11 Sir John Rogerson's Quay developed by Quinlan Private, was originally let to the German Depfa Bank but when that institution was taken over by Hypo Real Estate Bank, the enlarged group no longer needed the docklands building.
Declan O'Reilly of agent HT Meagher O'Reilly has been engaged to let the six-storey block which was designed by architect Tony Reddy to knit into the existing scale and fabric of the south quays.
The agents are quoting a rent of €645 per sq m (€60 per sq ft) for the entire building.
However, it may also be let on a floor-by-floor basis at a rent of €672 per sq m (€62.50 per sq ft) for a typical floor. Two penthouse levels will attract a premium. Car-parking spaces in the basement will cost an additional €4,000 per annum.
There is extensive use of floor to ceiling glazing along the front facade to capitalise on the panoramic views along both sides of the river. An unusual feature is two landscaped courtyards around which the offices are arranged.
The main entrance opens from Sir John Rogerson's Quay and is linked to the centrally located main core by way of a spacious double height lobby which in turn links to one of the landscaped courtyards.
The overall effect is impressive and the generous use of limestone, stainless steel, glass and walnut joinery along with feature lighting helps to create a high impact and welcoming first impesssion.
The rear entrance into the car park is along Windmill Lane where a generation of U2 fans have scribbled their colourful messages and drawings on the walls and doors in appreciation the group's unique contribution to the world of music and song.
