Facebook confirms move for Dublin HQ to bigger premises

Facebook has confirmed it is planning to move offices in Dublin, relocating to a bigger premises in Grand Canal Dock that will give the company room to further expand its international headquarters.

As previously reported by The Irish Times, the company will move to a building near the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre that has a floor space of 120,000 sq ft. Although Facebook did not comment on whether it planned to significantly increase its headcount in Dublin, the move makes room for up to 1,000 people at its new offices.

Facebook director Sonia Flynn said the new building provided he opportunity to grow the team “in line with business needs”.

Facebook is working with architect Frank Gehry to help design the new office space . Mr Gehry was also involved with the company’s Menlo Park office.

“It will have a similar look and feel but with a Dublin twist,” Ms Flynn said.

The company, which currently employs almost 500 people in its Hanover Quay office, set up in Ireland in 2009. It offers server support, policy, safety and database engineering from the Dublin base.

The Irish office is Facebook’s largest operation outside its headquarters in California.

The announcement was welcomed by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, who said it was further confirmation of Ireland's status as the internet capital of Europe.

“I know from our frequent meetings with Facebook on investment missions how significant this project is for the company, and how important Ireland is as its international base,” he said.

IDA Ireland chief executive Barry O'Leary said the company's presence in Ireland had been a huge draw for other firms.

“This new office space will solidify Ireland as the international headquarters of Facebook,” he said.