Ireland's tallest building to be built in Kilmainham

The Government has announced plans for a major west Dublin development, which will include the State's largest building, despite the fact that planning permission has yet to be approved.

The Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Mr Tom Parlon, this afternoon made the formal presentation of the "Heuston Gate" proposals, to be situated on a 4.5 acre State-owned site between Dr Steevens' Hospital and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The development, which is hoped to be completed by 2006, will comprise 560,000 square feet of residential and office space, providing workspace for 5,000 people. There will also be an Interactive Learning Centre for children entitled "Exploration Station", restaurants and bars, childcare facilities, underground parking, gardens and walkways.

The "Heuston Gate" residential accommodation will be in a 32-storey block of 197 apartments, a fifth of which are social and affordable housing. The tower, at over 120 metres, will be the tallest building in Ireland.

Another 650 apartments have been planned for the nearby "Westgate" development, which is being built on State land between Heuston Station and the Royal Hospital.

It is estimated the total development will have a value of around €500 million when completed.

An application for planning permission for the "Heuston Gate" site will be submitted next week and is subject to approval. Mr Parlon said this afternoon he was "hopeful" the proposal would have a favourable response from Dublin City Council and local residents.

The council has already launched a Heuston Gateway Regeneration Strategy and has earmarked the Westgate and Heuston Gate sites for development.

Planning permission granted last year to Charmside, a division of Treasury Holdings, for a six-storey office block and technology park on the site of the former Nestlé Rowntree factory overlooking Kilmainham Gaol was overturned by An Bord Pleanála in February after objections from local residents. They argued the building would dwarf the historic prison and other nearby buildings.