NORTHERN QUARTER: THE €750 million Northern Quarter, conceived by Arnotts, was to see the transformation of 5.5 acres of land in the north inner city into a new shopping, entertainment and residential area.
Arnotts unveiled details of its ambitions in September 2006, applying for planning permission for a development of 47 shops, 189 apartments, a 152-bed four-star hotel and 17 cafes, restaurants and bars, a roof garden and underground parking for 700 vehicles.
After the company was taken private in June 2003 for €255 million, management started to acquire a large portfolio of property in the area and executive chairman Richard Nesbitt hinted that it would soon develop “the sort of world-class retailing that you would expect for the centre of a capital city”. Announcing the scheme in 2006, Mr Nesbitt said: “The Northern Quarter will write the next chapter in the evolving history of Dublin city, retaining the charm of an open-street environment but overlaying it with the dynamism and diversity of a modern European capital.”
The plan was to recreate Prince’s Street as a pedestrian thoroughfare connecting O’Connell Street to Henry Street with a public square at the heart of the development. Arnotts, which has traded on Henry Street for 167 years, was to be demolished and replaced with a new 30,000sq m store, trading over six levels.
When completed, the Northern Quarter – bordered by Middle Abbey Street, Henry Street and Liffey Street – was expected to employ over 5,000 people, with one-fifth in the new Arnotts store.
Arnotts was to provide 80 per cent of the funding but sought strategic partners for the remainder. HKR Architects were employed to consult on the project and subject to permission it was expected to be complete in 2010 and generate 1,000 construction jobs.
In July 2008, An Bord Pleanála gave Arnotts the green light for the development with planning permission granted subject to 26 conditions, including the preservation of several protected buildings and a stipulation that the development be lower rise with fewer car spaces. It was reported that Dublin City Council was planning to use compulsory purchase orders to acquire properties to facilitate the development of the scheme.
As late as August 2009, the council’s weekly planning list shows it was requesting more information on the project.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label northern quarter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northern quarter. Show all posts
Monday, 2 August 2010
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Arnotts €1bn shops scheme under threat
Concerns about revised proposals for Arnotts' €1bn Northern Quarter retail scheme have been raised by Dublin city planners.
Arnotts got the go-ahead last year for the massive redevelopment, which will be located in an area bounded by Henry Street, O'Connell Street, Abbey Street and Liffey Street.
However, An Bord Pleanála ruled that the project could only proceed if a planned 16-storey tower in the original design was omitted. In total, the board tagged on 26 separate conditions to its grant of permission, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
Arnotts Properties Ltd then submitted its revised plans and the city council has now expressed reservations about the new blueprint.
Among the major changes being applied for is a redesign of the so-called Block A - from a seven-storey building over three basement levels, to an eight-storey building over three basement levels. This would increase the over-ground height of the tower from 18m to 31.5m.
Arnotts is proposing to increase the overall ground floor area of the scheme from 125,864sq m to 128,726sq m.
In a request for additional information, city planners have asked the applicant to submit a further architectural justification and revised drawings for the 'proposed retention of the Chapters Bookstore facade in Block A1 facing onto Abbey Street.
'The applicant is advised to note that the planning authority has concerns regarding how the retention of this facade sits within the context of proposed scale and welcomed simplicity of the grid framed retail store', they said.
In addition, Arnotts has been requested to redesign the facade fronting onto Henry Street, having regard to 'the building's location in a sensitive streetscape and the building's role in framing/defining the entrance onto Princes Street North'.
Commenting on the revised plans, Kevin Duff of An Taisce pointed out the proposed modifications include the location of a primary building fronting onto Middle Abbey Street, at the corner of Upper Liffey Street.
"These modifications entail a significant change to the height and design of the proposed development in this area," said Mr Duff - who added the revisions "depart excessively" from the plans approved by An Bord Pleanála.
He added - "(The) proposed overall height of this part of the development now closely matches its height as approved .... by Dublin City Council and as subsequently significantly reduced by An Bord Pleanála."
Arnotts must respond to the council's request for further information within six months.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Arnotts got the go-ahead last year for the massive redevelopment, which will be located in an area bounded by Henry Street, O'Connell Street, Abbey Street and Liffey Street.
However, An Bord Pleanála ruled that the project could only proceed if a planned 16-storey tower in the original design was omitted. In total, the board tagged on 26 separate conditions to its grant of permission, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
Arnotts Properties Ltd then submitted its revised plans and the city council has now expressed reservations about the new blueprint.
Among the major changes being applied for is a redesign of the so-called Block A - from a seven-storey building over three basement levels, to an eight-storey building over three basement levels. This would increase the over-ground height of the tower from 18m to 31.5m.
Arnotts is proposing to increase the overall ground floor area of the scheme from 125,864sq m to 128,726sq m.
In a request for additional information, city planners have asked the applicant to submit a further architectural justification and revised drawings for the 'proposed retention of the Chapters Bookstore facade in Block A1 facing onto Abbey Street.
'The applicant is advised to note that the planning authority has concerns regarding how the retention of this facade sits within the context of proposed scale and welcomed simplicity of the grid framed retail store', they said.
In addition, Arnotts has been requested to redesign the facade fronting onto Henry Street, having regard to 'the building's location in a sensitive streetscape and the building's role in framing/defining the entrance onto Princes Street North'.
Commenting on the revised plans, Kevin Duff of An Taisce pointed out the proposed modifications include the location of a primary building fronting onto Middle Abbey Street, at the corner of Upper Liffey Street.
"These modifications entail a significant change to the height and design of the proposed development in this area," said Mr Duff - who added the revisions "depart excessively" from the plans approved by An Bord Pleanála.
He added - "(The) proposed overall height of this part of the development now closely matches its height as approved .... by Dublin City Council and as subsequently significantly reduced by An Bord Pleanála."
Arnotts must respond to the council's request for further information within six months.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Arnotts given permission for extra retail space
DUBLIN department store Arnotts has been granted permission for a major extension to its €750m Northern Quarter plan.
Dublin City Council last week approved the new plan to build a 4,000sq m department store on the site and convert some of the planned restaurant space into shops.
The scheme was approved subject to eight conditions, including a €90,000 payment towards Metro North and a contribution to the council of more than €350,000.
Arnotts is examining ways to keep its Henry Street premises open throughout work on its €750m Northern Quarter development. It recently opened a number of concessions in the former Debenham's unit in the Jervis Centre.
The move comes as it emerged that some concession holders at the store have signed agreements to remain open until 2011 – suggesting that the current store will remain open until then.
"We are trying to phase the Northern Quarter so that we can build around the current store as much as possible. We may even be able to complete the project without closing it entirely," said Arnotts' chairman Richard Nesbitt.
He said the development would proceed despite the rapidly deteriorating economic environment, which has severely dented consumer confidence.
"For me, the real question about the economy is where it will be when we finish the Northern Quarter and I think the Irish economy will be in a position then to support something like that in the centre of Dublin."
Meanwhile, Bannon Commercial, agent for rival centre Dublin Central, recently secured John Lewis as an anchor tenant for that scheme.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council last week approved the new plan to build a 4,000sq m department store on the site and convert some of the planned restaurant space into shops.
The scheme was approved subject to eight conditions, including a €90,000 payment towards Metro North and a contribution to the council of more than €350,000.
Arnotts is examining ways to keep its Henry Street premises open throughout work on its €750m Northern Quarter development. It recently opened a number of concessions in the former Debenham's unit in the Jervis Centre.
The move comes as it emerged that some concession holders at the store have signed agreements to remain open until 2011 – suggesting that the current store will remain open until then.
"We are trying to phase the Northern Quarter so that we can build around the current store as much as possible. We may even be able to complete the project without closing it entirely," said Arnotts' chairman Richard Nesbitt.
He said the development would proceed despite the rapidly deteriorating economic environment, which has severely dented consumer confidence.
"For me, the real question about the economy is where it will be when we finish the Northern Quarter and I think the Irish economy will be in a position then to support something like that in the centre of Dublin."
Meanwhile, Bannon Commercial, agent for rival centre Dublin Central, recently secured John Lewis as an anchor tenant for that scheme.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Northern Quarter close to signing up retailers for prime central Dublin site
The owners of the planned €750 million Northern Quarter in central Dublin are close to sealing deals with retailers for the scheme, according to the project’s manager, John Laker.
He said that work on the development, which includes a major expansion of the Arnotts department store, would start next summer, despite the economic downturn.
Laker was chairman of Centros, a British firm that was working with Arnotts on the Northern Quarter, but has just left the company, taking the Dublin project with him. He will now manage the development through his firm, LDM, which employs four people at an office in Dublin and expects to increase staff as the project develops.
A further three to four people in Arnotts are also working on the development, according to Laker. He said that the team was focusing on detailed designs for the Northern Quarter, including some ‘‘non-controversial changes to help it on its way’’.
As well as revamped Arnotts and Penneys stores, the Northern Quarter is to include a four-star hotel, 47 shops, 14 cafes and bars, 121 apartments and 350 parking spaces. In total, it will have almost one million square feet of commercial space, bordered by Henry Street and O’Connell Street.
‘‘We are getting secondary anchorage retailers at the moment and will soon make some announcements,” said Laker.
‘‘It is actually easier to let to tenants for schemes that are three to four years away. This [recession] is a cycle and we will come out of it. Retailers still need to take good attractive space to maintain their market share.”
Laker said he was a ‘‘total believer’’ in the Northern Quarter scheme, which has been put together over several years by Arnotts chief executive Richard Nesbitt and is backed by Boundary Capital and Anglo Irish Bank. ‘‘As a retail-led development, it’s probably the best opportunity I’ve come across in my 30-odd years in this business,” said Laker.
‘‘It involves creating a new street running parallel with one of the two prime streets in a major European capital. It will be the new flagship retail area. It has very strong shareholders in Richard Nesbitt and Niall McFadden [of Boundary], and it has got a great trading entity in Arnotts. If this doesn’t go ahead, nothing will,” he said.
Following objections to the original planning by groups including An Taisce, the Railway Procurement Agency and An Post , An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the scheme in July with 26 conditions. It reduced the size of the scheme and did not approve plans for a 16-storey tower, meaning its tallest elements will be seven storeys high.
‘‘I am very disappointed they gave us a crew cut on it, but we are pleased overall - getting approval was an achievement in itself,” said Laker, who described his first experience of the Irish planning system as ‘‘quite an unusual process’’.
‘‘There is a lot of genuine support for this scheme and for Arnotts as a brand name,” he said. Laker said that reports that Centros had a 20 per cent stake in the Northern Quarter development were not accurate.
‘‘It was talked about, but it never happened - there were discussions, but once they got Anglo and McFadden, it was not needed.”
He said that preliminary work on the Northern Quarter would start in the middle of next year. The scheme is expected to take at least four years to complete. ‘‘I am very happy to be taking this on,” said Laker. ‘‘I wouldn’t be moving if I wasn’t.”
Laker worked at Centros for 12 years, first as development director and later as managing director and then chairman.
He said the decision to leave Centros was ‘‘a very amicable parting of ways’’ and said that his former employer was in a healthy financial state.
Earlier this year, Centros shelved plans for a town centre scheme in Dumfries in Scotland.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
He said that work on the development, which includes a major expansion of the Arnotts department store, would start next summer, despite the economic downturn.
Laker was chairman of Centros, a British firm that was working with Arnotts on the Northern Quarter, but has just left the company, taking the Dublin project with him. He will now manage the development through his firm, LDM, which employs four people at an office in Dublin and expects to increase staff as the project develops.
A further three to four people in Arnotts are also working on the development, according to Laker. He said that the team was focusing on detailed designs for the Northern Quarter, including some ‘‘non-controversial changes to help it on its way’’.
As well as revamped Arnotts and Penneys stores, the Northern Quarter is to include a four-star hotel, 47 shops, 14 cafes and bars, 121 apartments and 350 parking spaces. In total, it will have almost one million square feet of commercial space, bordered by Henry Street and O’Connell Street.
‘‘We are getting secondary anchorage retailers at the moment and will soon make some announcements,” said Laker.
‘‘It is actually easier to let to tenants for schemes that are three to four years away. This [recession] is a cycle and we will come out of it. Retailers still need to take good attractive space to maintain their market share.”
Laker said he was a ‘‘total believer’’ in the Northern Quarter scheme, which has been put together over several years by Arnotts chief executive Richard Nesbitt and is backed by Boundary Capital and Anglo Irish Bank. ‘‘As a retail-led development, it’s probably the best opportunity I’ve come across in my 30-odd years in this business,” said Laker.
‘‘It involves creating a new street running parallel with one of the two prime streets in a major European capital. It will be the new flagship retail area. It has very strong shareholders in Richard Nesbitt and Niall McFadden [of Boundary], and it has got a great trading entity in Arnotts. If this doesn’t go ahead, nothing will,” he said.
Following objections to the original planning by groups including An Taisce, the Railway Procurement Agency and An Post , An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the scheme in July with 26 conditions. It reduced the size of the scheme and did not approve plans for a 16-storey tower, meaning its tallest elements will be seven storeys high.
‘‘I am very disappointed they gave us a crew cut on it, but we are pleased overall - getting approval was an achievement in itself,” said Laker, who described his first experience of the Irish planning system as ‘‘quite an unusual process’’.
‘‘There is a lot of genuine support for this scheme and for Arnotts as a brand name,” he said. Laker said that reports that Centros had a 20 per cent stake in the Northern Quarter development were not accurate.
‘‘It was talked about, but it never happened - there were discussions, but once they got Anglo and McFadden, it was not needed.”
He said that preliminary work on the Northern Quarter would start in the middle of next year. The scheme is expected to take at least four years to complete. ‘‘I am very happy to be taking this on,” said Laker. ‘‘I wouldn’t be moving if I wasn’t.”
Laker worked at Centros for 12 years, first as development director and later as managing director and then chairman.
He said the decision to leave Centros was ‘‘a very amicable parting of ways’’ and said that his former employer was in a healthy financial state.
Earlier this year, Centros shelved plans for a town centre scheme in Dumfries in Scotland.
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
New thoughts on high-rises
THE DECISION by An Bord Pleanála to approve scaled-down plans by Arnotts for its ambitious "Northern Quarter" development brings into focus again the conflicting views on plans for tall buildings in Dublin.
On the one side, we have property developers with vaulting visions, gung-ho architects with notions of putting their names on landmarks and the city council management's vision of a high-rise future in its draft policy document, Maximising the City's Potential: A Strategy for Intensification and Height. On the other, we have a raft of decisions by the appeals board rejecting, or substantially reducing, random high-rise building proposals, together with an increasingly interventionist stance by the Department of the Environment's heritage division and a sceptical, even antagonistic, public apparently incapable of being persuaded that Dublin needs Manhattan-like clusters of tall buildings.
An Bord Pleanála has been marking the planners' cards on a fairly consistent basis over the past few years, citing all sorts of reasons for overturning the decisions they have made. But the main reason usually relates to the absence of any planning framework under which high-rise proposals could be justified, including the 16-storey tower initially proposed by Arnotts. The department's heritage division, after a long period of enforced silence under previous ministers, seems to have been given more leeway by John Gormley to intervene in the planning arena. It characterised developer Seán Dunne's scheme for the Jurys-Berkeley Court site in Dublin's Ballsbridge as "excessively high".
Despite all the bluster during the boom about going higher, Liberty Hall, which was completed more than 40 years ago, is still the tallest building in Dublin. An Bord Pleanála departed from the advice it received from the department and, more explicitly, from one of its own senior planning inspectors to grant permission for the redevelopment of the Clarence Hotel on Wellington Quay; it would appear that the board was dazzled by the Foster + Partners' design. The end-result, if it is realised, will have an enormous impact on the Liffey Quays. Now, the new owners of the Bank of Ireland headquarters on Baggot Street are hoping to win approval for plans to add two floors to what is already a bulky building in a highly sensitive context.
It is noteworthy - and very welcome - that Dublin City Council's planners are reviewing their draft policy document following the overwhelmingly negative reaction it received at a series of public consultation sessions in June. Michael Stubbs, assistant city manager in charge of the planning department, told The Irish Times that the draft would be substantially changed before it was presented to the council's planning and economic development committee in September, to reflect public opposition to random high-rise proposals and place more emphasis on achieving higher densities in the context of statutory local area plans (Laps). Indeed, in a democratic society, public representatives must be involved in framing all such plans - as they are in the case of Laps - instead of leaving crucial decisions to unelected officials.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
On the one side, we have property developers with vaulting visions, gung-ho architects with notions of putting their names on landmarks and the city council management's vision of a high-rise future in its draft policy document, Maximising the City's Potential: A Strategy for Intensification and Height. On the other, we have a raft of decisions by the appeals board rejecting, or substantially reducing, random high-rise building proposals, together with an increasingly interventionist stance by the Department of the Environment's heritage division and a sceptical, even antagonistic, public apparently incapable of being persuaded that Dublin needs Manhattan-like clusters of tall buildings.
An Bord Pleanála has been marking the planners' cards on a fairly consistent basis over the past few years, citing all sorts of reasons for overturning the decisions they have made. But the main reason usually relates to the absence of any planning framework under which high-rise proposals could be justified, including the 16-storey tower initially proposed by Arnotts. The department's heritage division, after a long period of enforced silence under previous ministers, seems to have been given more leeway by John Gormley to intervene in the planning arena. It characterised developer Seán Dunne's scheme for the Jurys-Berkeley Court site in Dublin's Ballsbridge as "excessively high".
Despite all the bluster during the boom about going higher, Liberty Hall, which was completed more than 40 years ago, is still the tallest building in Dublin. An Bord Pleanála departed from the advice it received from the department and, more explicitly, from one of its own senior planning inspectors to grant permission for the redevelopment of the Clarence Hotel on Wellington Quay; it would appear that the board was dazzled by the Foster + Partners' design. The end-result, if it is realised, will have an enormous impact on the Liffey Quays. Now, the new owners of the Bank of Ireland headquarters on Baggot Street are hoping to win approval for plans to add two floors to what is already a bulky building in a highly sensitive context.
It is noteworthy - and very welcome - that Dublin City Council's planners are reviewing their draft policy document following the overwhelmingly negative reaction it received at a series of public consultation sessions in June. Michael Stubbs, assistant city manager in charge of the planning department, told The Irish Times that the draft would be substantially changed before it was presented to the council's planning and economic development committee in September, to reflect public opposition to random high-rise proposals and place more emphasis on achieving higher densities in the context of statutory local area plans (Laps). Indeed, in a democratic society, public representatives must be involved in framing all such plans - as they are in the case of Laps - instead of leaving crucial decisions to unelected officials.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Arnotts says €750m Dublin plan will 'definitely proceed'
DUBLIN'S PROPOSED "Northern Quarter" retail district, for which An Bord Pleanála has granted approval, "is definitely going to proceed" despite the credit crunch and the associated economic downtown, a spokesman for Arnotts said last night.
The department store, which is spearheading the €750 million development, welcomed yesterday's planning decision, saying it was "delighted" - even though the appeals board substantially reduced the scale of the scheme, including the omission of a 16-storey tower.
A spokesman for Arnotts' chairman, Richard Nesbitt, said the board's decision "brings certainty to the whole Northern Quarter" after a lengthy planning process that had gone on for more than two years.
The spokesman said Arnotts and HKR Architects, which designed the scheme - and then had to redesign it at An Bord Pleanála's request - would be working with Dublin City Council in coming months to deal with the various conditions - 26, in all - laid down by the board.
"They [Arnotts] are very positive about this project and there's no question of it not going ahead. It is definitely going to proceed," the spokesman said, adding that "Mr Nesbitt sees this a long-term play by Arnotts".
The company would now be "working out a timeline before making firm decisions" and, given that the proposed development would take at least four years to complete, "it will be interesting to see what the economic landscape will be like then".
The 5½-acre site incorporates a prominent part of the city centre bounded by Henry Street, O'Connell Street, Middle Abbey Street and Upper Liffey Street.
According to HKR, it would turn Dublin's north inner city into a "state-of-the-art prime retail location".
"HKR's design for the regeneration of the Northern Quarter will create a unique and lively shopping and entertainment hub in the heart of Dublin's city centre" that would include a four-star hotel, 47 new shops, 14 cafes and bars and 121 apartments.
Jerry Ryan, HKR's managing director, described the scheme as "one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin's city centre" and said his firm was "looking forward to moving forward and realising this project".
With some 90,000sq m (968,752sq ft) of commercial space, including major extensions to both Arnotts and Penneys department stores, the Northern Quarter is intended to complement the Dublin central retail precinct planned for the Carlton and adjoining sites on O'Connell Street.
Arnotts granted planning permission for scaled-down Northern Quarter plan: page 5; Editorial comment: 13
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The department store, which is spearheading the €750 million development, welcomed yesterday's planning decision, saying it was "delighted" - even though the appeals board substantially reduced the scale of the scheme, including the omission of a 16-storey tower.
A spokesman for Arnotts' chairman, Richard Nesbitt, said the board's decision "brings certainty to the whole Northern Quarter" after a lengthy planning process that had gone on for more than two years.
The spokesman said Arnotts and HKR Architects, which designed the scheme - and then had to redesign it at An Bord Pleanála's request - would be working with Dublin City Council in coming months to deal with the various conditions - 26, in all - laid down by the board.
"They [Arnotts] are very positive about this project and there's no question of it not going ahead. It is definitely going to proceed," the spokesman said, adding that "Mr Nesbitt sees this a long-term play by Arnotts".
The company would now be "working out a timeline before making firm decisions" and, given that the proposed development would take at least four years to complete, "it will be interesting to see what the economic landscape will be like then".
The 5½-acre site incorporates a prominent part of the city centre bounded by Henry Street, O'Connell Street, Middle Abbey Street and Upper Liffey Street.
According to HKR, it would turn Dublin's north inner city into a "state-of-the-art prime retail location".
"HKR's design for the regeneration of the Northern Quarter will create a unique and lively shopping and entertainment hub in the heart of Dublin's city centre" that would include a four-star hotel, 47 new shops, 14 cafes and bars and 121 apartments.
Jerry Ryan, HKR's managing director, described the scheme as "one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin's city centre" and said his firm was "looking forward to moving forward and realising this project".
With some 90,000sq m (968,752sq ft) of commercial space, including major extensions to both Arnotts and Penneys department stores, the Northern Quarter is intended to complement the Dublin central retail precinct planned for the Carlton and adjoining sites on O'Connell Street.
Arnotts granted planning permission for scaled-down Northern Quarter plan: page 5; Editorial comment: 13
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 28 July 2008
'Northern Quarter' gets the green light from the Board
An Bord Pleanála has today given the go-ahead for a major redevelopment by Arnotts in Dublin city centre.
The company is planning a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5-acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter".
An Bord Pleanála gave the green light subject to 26 conditions, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency were among the parties that had appealed planning permission for the scheme, which was granted by Dublin City Council last summer.
Among the conditions laid down, an Bord Pleanála has ruled that the developer has to provide for 24-hour public access to all of the proposed new public streets and spaces, including Abbey Square.
The board also said there must also be a year-round festival ticket office at ground-floor level, appropriate childcare facilities, and an archaeological appraisal of the site.
An independent road safety audit must be done, and a parking-management plan prepared and agreed with the planning authority, the board stipulated.
Details of shopfront design - including any associated signage, lettering, lighting or security screens - is subject to a further application for planning permission.
An Arnotts spokesman said: “We are delighted with the news. It gives certainty to the very ambitious Northern Quarter project. We will work with the city council to deal with the various conditions An Bord Pleanála has made.”
The retailer refused to comment on a previous announcement that 580 of its 950 staff will be let go when the store moves temporarily to Jervis Street Shopping Centre, which is one-third the size of Henry Street site.
Boyers on North Earl Street will also be converted to an Arnotts furniture and home store.
“The news has come a bit faster than expected, so Arnotts will now sit down to assess the detail of what will happen next,” the spokesman added. “Over the next few weeks, management will also work to bring clarity to the workers.”
Linda Tanham, an official with trade union Mandate, which represents most Arnotts’ workers, said staff are still unsure as to what will happen next. “We are expecting to meet with management this week to get an update on a timescale for trading and intended job losses,” she added.
When completed, the Northern Quarter – bordered by the Middle Abbey Street, Henry Street, and Liffey Street - is expected to employ over 5,000 people, with one-fifth of those working in the new Arnotts store.
It is envisaged one of the main features will be the re-creation of Prince’s Street as an urban street and pedestrian thoroughfare with a new public square at its centre.
Welcoming the decision, Jerry Ryan, managing director of HKR Architects, said: “This is one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin’s city centre and is an exciting and challenging project for HKR.“
Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the massive redevelopment will reinvigorate the heart of Dublin city centre.
“Not only will it have a significant impact on the city’s retail variety and range of offerings, but this development will also help to transform the Henry Street area into a vibrant residential, leisure and entertainment hub,” she said.
“The Northern Quarter will offer residents, shoppers and tourists a wide range of activities in the evenings and will play an important part in the transformation of Dublin’s city centre into that of a world class city with a quality of life that is second to none.”
The Construction Industry Federation said the scheme will make a huge contribution to the sector.
“There are a number of large scale projects in the pipeline or which have already begun and the Arnotts redevelopment is a huge construction opportunity, particularly for those in commercial construction,” a said spokesman.
In April, an Bord Pleanála had rejected several aspects of the development, which is planned for the site of the department store in Dublin - including a proposed 16-storey tower.
The board told Arnotts to cut the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said then the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The company is planning a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5-acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter".
An Bord Pleanála gave the green light subject to 26 conditions, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency were among the parties that had appealed planning permission for the scheme, which was granted by Dublin City Council last summer.
Among the conditions laid down, an Bord Pleanála has ruled that the developer has to provide for 24-hour public access to all of the proposed new public streets and spaces, including Abbey Square.
The board also said there must also be a year-round festival ticket office at ground-floor level, appropriate childcare facilities, and an archaeological appraisal of the site.
An independent road safety audit must be done, and a parking-management plan prepared and agreed with the planning authority, the board stipulated.
Details of shopfront design - including any associated signage, lettering, lighting or security screens - is subject to a further application for planning permission.
An Arnotts spokesman said: “We are delighted with the news. It gives certainty to the very ambitious Northern Quarter project. We will work with the city council to deal with the various conditions An Bord Pleanála has made.”
The retailer refused to comment on a previous announcement that 580 of its 950 staff will be let go when the store moves temporarily to Jervis Street Shopping Centre, which is one-third the size of Henry Street site.
Boyers on North Earl Street will also be converted to an Arnotts furniture and home store.
“The news has come a bit faster than expected, so Arnotts will now sit down to assess the detail of what will happen next,” the spokesman added. “Over the next few weeks, management will also work to bring clarity to the workers.”
Linda Tanham, an official with trade union Mandate, which represents most Arnotts’ workers, said staff are still unsure as to what will happen next. “We are expecting to meet with management this week to get an update on a timescale for trading and intended job losses,” she added.
When completed, the Northern Quarter – bordered by the Middle Abbey Street, Henry Street, and Liffey Street - is expected to employ over 5,000 people, with one-fifth of those working in the new Arnotts store.
It is envisaged one of the main features will be the re-creation of Prince’s Street as an urban street and pedestrian thoroughfare with a new public square at its centre.
Welcoming the decision, Jerry Ryan, managing director of HKR Architects, said: “This is one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin’s city centre and is an exciting and challenging project for HKR.“
Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the massive redevelopment will reinvigorate the heart of Dublin city centre.
“Not only will it have a significant impact on the city’s retail variety and range of offerings, but this development will also help to transform the Henry Street area into a vibrant residential, leisure and entertainment hub,” she said.
“The Northern Quarter will offer residents, shoppers and tourists a wide range of activities in the evenings and will play an important part in the transformation of Dublin’s city centre into that of a world class city with a quality of life that is second to none.”
The Construction Industry Federation said the scheme will make a huge contribution to the sector.
“There are a number of large scale projects in the pipeline or which have already begun and the Arnotts redevelopment is a huge construction opportunity, particularly for those in commercial construction,” a said spokesman.
In April, an Bord Pleanála had rejected several aspects of the development, which is planned for the site of the department store in Dublin - including a proposed 16-storey tower.
The board told Arnotts to cut the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said then the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
'Northern Quarter' gets the gree light
An Bord Pleanála has today given the go-ahead for a major redevelopment by Arnotts in Dublin city centre.
The company is planning a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5-acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter".
An Bord Pleanála gave the green light subject to 26 conditions, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency were among the parties that had appealed planning permission for the scheme, which was granted by Dublin City Council last summer.
Among the conditions laid down, an Bord Pleanála has ruled that the developer has to provide for 24-hour public access to all of the proposed new public streets and spaces, including Abbey Square.
The board also said there must also be a year-round festival ticket office at ground-floor level, appropriate childcare facilities, and an archaeological appraisal of the site.
An independent road safety audit must be done, and a parking-management plan prepared and agreed with the planning authority, the board stipulated.
Details of shopfront design - including any associated signage, lettering, lighting or security screens - is subject to a further application for planning permission.
An Arnotts spokesman said: “We are delighted with the news. It gives certainty to the very ambitious Northern Quarter project. We will work with the city council to deal with the various conditions An Bord Pleanála has made.”
The retailer refused to comment on a previous announcement that 580 of its 950 staff will be let go when the store moves temporarily to Jervis Street Shopping Centre, which is one-third the size of Henry Street site.
Boyers on North Earl Street will also be converted to an Arnotts furniture and home store.
“The news has come a bit faster than expected, so Arnotts will now sit down to assess the detail of what will happen next,” the spokesman added. “Over the next few weeks, management will also work to bring clarity to the workers.”
Linda Tanham, an official with trade union Mandate, which represents most Arnotts’ workers, said staff are still unsure as to what will happen next. “We are expecting to meet with management this week to get an update on a timescale for trading and intended job losses,” she added.
When completed, the Northern Quarter – bordered by the Middle Abbey Street, Henry Street, and Liffey Street - is expected to employ over 5,000 people, with one-fifth of those working in the new Arnotts store.
It is envisaged one of the main features will be the re-creation of Prince’s Street as an urban street and pedestrian thoroughfare with a new public square at its centre.
Welcoming the decision, Jerry Ryan, managing director of HKR Architects, said: “This is one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin’s city centre and is an exciting and challenging project for HKR.“
Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the massive redevelopment will reinvigorate the heart of Dublin city centre.
“Not only will it have a significant impact on the city’s retail variety and range of offerings, but this development will also help to transform the Henry Street area into a vibrant residential, leisure and entertainment hub,” she said.
“The Northern Quarter will offer residents, shoppers and tourists a wide range of activities in the evenings and will play an important part in the transformation of Dublin’s city centre into that of a world class city with a quality of life that is second to none.”
The Construction Industry Federation said the scheme will make a huge contribution to the sector.
“There are a number of large scale projects in the pipeline or which have already begun and the Arnotts redevelopment is a huge construction opportunity, particularly for those in commercial construction,” a said spokesman.
In April, an Bord Pleanála had rejected several aspects of the development, which is planned for the site of the department store in Dublin - including a proposed 16-storey tower.
The board told Arnotts to cut the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said then the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The company is planning a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5-acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter".
An Bord Pleanála gave the green light subject to 26 conditions, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.
An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency were among the parties that had appealed planning permission for the scheme, which was granted by Dublin City Council last summer.
Among the conditions laid down, an Bord Pleanála has ruled that the developer has to provide for 24-hour public access to all of the proposed new public streets and spaces, including Abbey Square.
The board also said there must also be a year-round festival ticket office at ground-floor level, appropriate childcare facilities, and an archaeological appraisal of the site.
An independent road safety audit must be done, and a parking-management plan prepared and agreed with the planning authority, the board stipulated.
Details of shopfront design - including any associated signage, lettering, lighting or security screens - is subject to a further application for planning permission.
An Arnotts spokesman said: “We are delighted with the news. It gives certainty to the very ambitious Northern Quarter project. We will work with the city council to deal with the various conditions An Bord Pleanála has made.”
The retailer refused to comment on a previous announcement that 580 of its 950 staff will be let go when the store moves temporarily to Jervis Street Shopping Centre, which is one-third the size of Henry Street site.
Boyers on North Earl Street will also be converted to an Arnotts furniture and home store.
“The news has come a bit faster than expected, so Arnotts will now sit down to assess the detail of what will happen next,” the spokesman added. “Over the next few weeks, management will also work to bring clarity to the workers.”
Linda Tanham, an official with trade union Mandate, which represents most Arnotts’ workers, said staff are still unsure as to what will happen next. “We are expecting to meet with management this week to get an update on a timescale for trading and intended job losses,” she added.
When completed, the Northern Quarter – bordered by the Middle Abbey Street, Henry Street, and Liffey Street - is expected to employ over 5,000 people, with one-fifth of those working in the new Arnotts store.
It is envisaged one of the main features will be the re-creation of Prince’s Street as an urban street and pedestrian thoroughfare with a new public square at its centre.
Welcoming the decision, Jerry Ryan, managing director of HKR Architects, said: “This is one of the largest and most significant regeneration projects to be undertaken in Dublin’s city centre and is an exciting and challenging project for HKR.“
Gina Quin, chief executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the massive redevelopment will reinvigorate the heart of Dublin city centre.
“Not only will it have a significant impact on the city’s retail variety and range of offerings, but this development will also help to transform the Henry Street area into a vibrant residential, leisure and entertainment hub,” she said.
“The Northern Quarter will offer residents, shoppers and tourists a wide range of activities in the evenings and will play an important part in the transformation of Dublin’s city centre into that of a world class city with a quality of life that is second to none.”
The Construction Industry Federation said the scheme will make a huge contribution to the sector.
“There are a number of large scale projects in the pipeline or which have already begun and the Arnotts redevelopment is a huge construction opportunity, particularly for those in commercial construction,” a said spokesman.
In April, an Bord Pleanála had rejected several aspects of the development, which is planned for the site of the department store in Dublin - including a proposed 16-storey tower.
The board told Arnotts to cut the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said then the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Arnotts plan facing delays
ARNOTTS has been told to dramatically reduce building heights and car-parking provision in its Northern Quarter development in Dublin by the planning appeals board.
And redesigning key aspects of the proposal means a decision on whether the project in the Abbey Street/Henry Street area will be approved is unlikely before September.
The €1bn development, which was to be completed by 2011, would see an eight-acre site transformed into a shopping and residential quarter. Almost 50 shops, a revamped Arnotts, 14 cafes, restaurants, 175 apartments and a 149-bedroom hotel are planned.
But the project could be delayed because An Bord Pleanala is unhappy with aspects. In a letter to Arnotts' planning consultants the board says that "certain information" is necessary before an appeal can be considered and that the plans must be revised.
Among the concerns is that there is too much car-parking on site, which could interfere with the operation of Luas and lead to congestion in the city.
It has instructed Arnotts that it will have to make do with the 350 already on site.
More public space must be included in the plans.
But the issue of building height is likely to cause the most problems for the developer.
The board said that the plans would be "unduly obtrusive" on the skyline and "seriously detract" from the architecture of the street.
The information must be received by June 5, and a public hearing into the scheme may be re-opened.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
And redesigning key aspects of the proposal means a decision on whether the project in the Abbey Street/Henry Street area will be approved is unlikely before September.
The €1bn development, which was to be completed by 2011, would see an eight-acre site transformed into a shopping and residential quarter. Almost 50 shops, a revamped Arnotts, 14 cafes, restaurants, 175 apartments and a 149-bedroom hotel are planned.
But the project could be delayed because An Bord Pleanala is unhappy with aspects. In a letter to Arnotts' planning consultants the board says that "certain information" is necessary before an appeal can be considered and that the plans must be revised.
Among the concerns is that there is too much car-parking on site, which could interfere with the operation of Luas and lead to congestion in the city.
It has instructed Arnotts that it will have to make do with the 350 already on site.
More public space must be included in the plans.
But the issue of building height is likely to cause the most problems for the developer.
The board said that the plans would be "unduly obtrusive" on the skyline and "seriously detract" from the architecture of the street.
The information must be received by June 5, and a public hearing into the scheme may be re-opened.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Arnotts plan for 'Northern Quarter' rejected by board
PLANS FOR a new "Northern Quarter" on the site of Arnotts department store in Dublin will have to go back to the drawing board following the rejection by An Bord Pleanála of several major elements of the development, including a 16-storey tower.
The board has told Arnotts that the plans could not proceed in their current form and has directed them to reduce the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
The wording of the board's letter is a powerful signal that it will not allow any high-rise buildings in the historic core of the city. While it is sure to come as a major blow to Arnotts who had its plans passed almost in full by Dublin City Council last year, it also sets a marker for future developments in the area, including the redevelopment of the Carlton site a short distance north of Arnotts.
The company is proposing a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5 acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street, into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter". The quarter would include 47 shops and 14 cafes, restaurants and bars, around 175 apartments and a 149-bedroom four-star hotel.
In addition to limiting the height of the development, the board has told Arnotts to significantly scale back its overall plans, ordering it to reduce the footprint of the buildings, half the number of parking spaces sought, restrict entrance to the car park and completely eliminate its plans for redesigning the facade of the Penney's building on O'Connell Street.
The board is particularly scathing in relation to the plans for Penney's.
Arnotts was seeking to introduce large projecting glass screens over the existing facades of the building on O'Connell Street. These would "seriously detract" from the design and character of these streets, but particularly the GPO building, the board said.
Most significantly for any future developments in the street, the board said the facade alteration would detract from the "architectural heritage value of this nationally important streetscape".
Arnotts had sought 683 car parking spaces and to have access to the car park from both O'Connell Street and Middle Abbey Street. The board has said this was excessive and has ordered Arnotts to keep car parking at its current level of 350 spaces and restrict access to Middle Abbey Street only. The board also said inadequate public outdoor space had been provided and directed that the footprint of two of the four blocks included in the scheme be set back by 10m.
The company paid €26 million in 2003 for Independent House, the former premises of Independent newspapers, and is understood to have paid in excess of €100 million to acquire all the property required within the 5.5-acre site. Arnotts has until June 5th next to submit all the amendments required, but it is unclear whether the project will still be economically viable.
The Arnotts situation is likely to be watched very closely by Dundrum shopping centre developer Joe O'Reilly, who owns the derelict Carlton site at the other end of O'Connell Street.
Mr O'Reilly is shortly expected to seek planning permission for a development which is to include about 6,503sq m (700,000sq ft) of retail premises with restaurants, bars and other leisure facilities, a 150-bedroom hotel and apartments. He has also signalled that he will be seeking tall buildings on the site.
As with Arnotts the Carlton development is likely to find favour with the council's planners. City manager John Tierney has repeatedly said that he wanted to see a far greater intensification of use of land in the city centre. However, given that most projects involving height and major redevelopment are appealed to An Bord Pleanála, it is the board that will have the final say.
The Irish Times
www.buckplaning.ie
The board has told Arnotts that the plans could not proceed in their current form and has directed them to reduce the height of the tower by nine storeys and ensure that no other building in the development was higher than seven.
In its letter to Arnotts, the board said the development would be "unduly obtrusive on the skyline" and would "seriously detract from the balance and architectural coherence of these streets".
The wording of the board's letter is a powerful signal that it will not allow any high-rise buildings in the historic core of the city. While it is sure to come as a major blow to Arnotts who had its plans passed almost in full by Dublin City Council last year, it also sets a marker for future developments in the area, including the redevelopment of the Carlton site a short distance north of Arnotts.
The company is proposing a €750 million redevelopment of a 5.5 acre block bordered by Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street, into a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone, called "Northern Quarter". The quarter would include 47 shops and 14 cafes, restaurants and bars, around 175 apartments and a 149-bedroom four-star hotel.
In addition to limiting the height of the development, the board has told Arnotts to significantly scale back its overall plans, ordering it to reduce the footprint of the buildings, half the number of parking spaces sought, restrict entrance to the car park and completely eliminate its plans for redesigning the facade of the Penney's building on O'Connell Street.
The board is particularly scathing in relation to the plans for Penney's.
Arnotts was seeking to introduce large projecting glass screens over the existing facades of the building on O'Connell Street. These would "seriously detract" from the design and character of these streets, but particularly the GPO building, the board said.
Most significantly for any future developments in the street, the board said the facade alteration would detract from the "architectural heritage value of this nationally important streetscape".
Arnotts had sought 683 car parking spaces and to have access to the car park from both O'Connell Street and Middle Abbey Street. The board has said this was excessive and has ordered Arnotts to keep car parking at its current level of 350 spaces and restrict access to Middle Abbey Street only. The board also said inadequate public outdoor space had been provided and directed that the footprint of two of the four blocks included in the scheme be set back by 10m.
The company paid €26 million in 2003 for Independent House, the former premises of Independent newspapers, and is understood to have paid in excess of €100 million to acquire all the property required within the 5.5-acre site. Arnotts has until June 5th next to submit all the amendments required, but it is unclear whether the project will still be economically viable.
The Arnotts situation is likely to be watched very closely by Dundrum shopping centre developer Joe O'Reilly, who owns the derelict Carlton site at the other end of O'Connell Street.
Mr O'Reilly is shortly expected to seek planning permission for a development which is to include about 6,503sq m (700,000sq ft) of retail premises with restaurants, bars and other leisure facilities, a 150-bedroom hotel and apartments. He has also signalled that he will be seeking tall buildings on the site.
As with Arnotts the Carlton development is likely to find favour with the council's planners. City manager John Tierney has repeatedly said that he wanted to see a far greater intensification of use of land in the city centre. However, given that most projects involving height and major redevelopment are appealed to An Bord Pleanála, it is the board that will have the final say.
The Irish Times
www.buckplaning.ie
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Around 600 jobs to go at Arnotts and Boyers
Over half the workers at the Arnotts stores on Henry St and Boyers on North Earl St in Dublin city centre are to lose their jobs, Mandate trade union said this afternoon.
Talks are being organised to discuss the plan to make around 580 workers at the two stores redundant in order to make way for the construction of the new €750-million Northern Quarter development.
It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers.
Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham
Redundancies had been expected and last month an unconfirmed figure of 400 was reported. The scale of today's figure was not expected and Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham said most of the redundancies will be compulsory.
"It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers. The development of the Northern Quarter is coming at a huge cost to these workers and their families," Ms Tanham said.
In a separate development, An Bord Pleanala has deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
An Bord Pleanala said the deadline had been put back due to the volume of work, with a new date not yet fixed.
"I don't see that decision being made this week and I don't see it being made next week under any circumstances. I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Joe Cotello said the company should put a stay on the redundancy plan pending the outcome of the board's deliberations.
He said the stores were "historic and landmark retailers" drawing many of its staff from the north inner city. "The loss of so many jobs in one fell swoop will have a devastating effect on employment in an area where unemployment is traditionally very high," Mr Costello said.
The redundancies do not include those working the concession stands at Arnotts, and the overall figure is likely to top 600.
Boyers will close at the end of June and reopen in August as Arnotts at Home dealing mainly in furniture. Arnotts Henry Street store will close at the end of August when construction of the Northern Quarter is due to begin.
Over 900 people are employed at Arnotts and those retained are due to transfer to the nearby Debenhams store in the Jervis Street Centre, which will be re-branded following its purchase by Arnotts last year.
A spokesperson for the company was not available at the time of writing.
The Northern Quarter is due to take three years to complete, opening in 2011 with a larger store employing 1,000 people.
The 650,000-sq ft development is to be built on a 5.5-acre site between Middle Abbey St and Henry St. It is due to comprise of 47 shops; 17 cafes, restaurants and bars; a 149-bedroom four-star hotel and 175 apartments.
An Bord Pleanála this week deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
"I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Eight parties have appealed planning permission for quarter, including An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency.
Fine Gael Enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar was also dismayed at the scale of the job losses.
"This is a terrible blow for the staff and for Dublin as a whole. Although job losses had been expected for some time, no-one expected that the lay-offs would be this significant," he said.
Those laid off be given preference when the company starts hiring again on their current terms and conditions, he added.
Ireland.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Talks are being organised to discuss the plan to make around 580 workers at the two stores redundant in order to make way for the construction of the new €750-million Northern Quarter development.
It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers.
Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham
Redundancies had been expected and last month an unconfirmed figure of 400 was reported. The scale of today's figure was not expected and Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham said most of the redundancies will be compulsory.
"It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers. The development of the Northern Quarter is coming at a huge cost to these workers and their families," Ms Tanham said.
In a separate development, An Bord Pleanala has deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
An Bord Pleanala said the deadline had been put back due to the volume of work, with a new date not yet fixed.
"I don't see that decision being made this week and I don't see it being made next week under any circumstances. I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Joe Cotello said the company should put a stay on the redundancy plan pending the outcome of the board's deliberations.
He said the stores were "historic and landmark retailers" drawing many of its staff from the north inner city. "The loss of so many jobs in one fell swoop will have a devastating effect on employment in an area where unemployment is traditionally very high," Mr Costello said.
The redundancies do not include those working the concession stands at Arnotts, and the overall figure is likely to top 600.
Boyers will close at the end of June and reopen in August as Arnotts at Home dealing mainly in furniture. Arnotts Henry Street store will close at the end of August when construction of the Northern Quarter is due to begin.
Over 900 people are employed at Arnotts and those retained are due to transfer to the nearby Debenhams store in the Jervis Street Centre, which will be re-branded following its purchase by Arnotts last year.
A spokesperson for the company was not available at the time of writing.
The Northern Quarter is due to take three years to complete, opening in 2011 with a larger store employing 1,000 people.
The 650,000-sq ft development is to be built on a 5.5-acre site between Middle Abbey St and Henry St. It is due to comprise of 47 shops; 17 cafes, restaurants and bars; a 149-bedroom four-star hotel and 175 apartments.
An Bord Pleanála this week deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
"I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Eight parties have appealed planning permission for quarter, including An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency.
Fine Gael Enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar was also dismayed at the scale of the job losses.
"This is a terrible blow for the staff and for Dublin as a whole. Although job losses had been expected for some time, no-one expected that the lay-offs would be this significant," he said.
Those laid off be given preference when the company starts hiring again on their current terms and conditions, he added.
Ireland.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Around 600 jobs to go at Arnotts and Boyers
Over half the workers at the Arnotts stores on Henry St and Boyers on North Earl St in Dublin city centre are to lose their jobs, Mandate trade union said this afternoon.
Talks are being organised to discuss the plan to make around 580 workers at the two stores redundant in order to make way for the construction of the new €750-million Northern Quarter development.
It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers.
Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham
Redundancies had been expected and last month an unconfirmed figure of 400 was reported. The scale of today's figure was not expected and Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham said most of the redundancies will be compulsory.
"It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers. The development of the Northern Quarter is coming at a huge cost to these workers and their families," Ms Tanham said.
In a separate development, An Bord Pleanala has deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
An Bord Pleanala said the deadline had been put back due to the volume of work, with a new date not yet fixed.
"I don't see that decision being made this week and I don't see it being made next week under any circumstances. I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Joe Cotello said the company should put a stay on the redundancy plan pending the outcome of the board's deliberations.
He said the stores were "historic and landmark retailers" drawing many of its staff from the north inner city. "The loss of so many jobs in one fell swoop will have a devastating effect on employment in an area where unemployment is traditionally very high," Mr Costello said.
The redundancies do not include those working the concession stands at Arnotts, and the overall figure is likely to top 600.
Boyers will close at the end of June and reopen in August as Arnotts at Home dealing mainly in furniture. Arnotts Henry Street store will close at the end of August when construction of the Northern Quarter is due to begin.
Over 900 people are employed at Arnotts and those retained are due to transfer to the nearby Debenhams store in the Jervis Street Centre, which will be re-branded following its purchase by Arnotts last year.
A spokesperson for the company was not available at the time of writing.
The Northern Quarter is due to take three years to complete, opening in 2011 with a larger store employing 1,000 people.
The 650,000-sq ft development is to be built on a 5.5-acre site between Middle Abbey St and Henry St. It is due to comprise of 47 shops; 17 cafes, restaurants and bars; a 149-bedroom four-star hotel and 175 apartments.
An Bord Pleanála this week deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
"I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Eight parties have appealed planning permission for quarter, including An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency.
Fine Gael Enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar was also dismayed at the scale of the job losses.
"This is a terrible blow for the staff and for Dublin as a whole. Although job losses had been expected for some time, no-one expected that the lay-offs would be this significant," he said.
Those laid off be given preference when the company starts hiring again on their current terms and conditions, he added.
Ireland.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Talks are being organised to discuss the plan to make around 580 workers at the two stores redundant in order to make way for the construction of the new €750-million Northern Quarter development.
It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers.
Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham
Redundancies had been expected and last month an unconfirmed figure of 400 was reported. The scale of today's figure was not expected and Mandate assistant general secretary, Linda Tanham said most of the redundancies will be compulsory.
"It's a sad day for a lot of Arnotts' and Boyers' loyal staff who've given years of loyal service to the company and its customers. The development of the Northern Quarter is coming at a huge cost to these workers and their families," Ms Tanham said.
In a separate development, An Bord Pleanala has deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
An Bord Pleanala said the deadline had been put back due to the volume of work, with a new date not yet fixed.
"I don't see that decision being made this week and I don't see it being made next week under any circumstances. I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Joe Cotello said the company should put a stay on the redundancy plan pending the outcome of the board's deliberations.
He said the stores were "historic and landmark retailers" drawing many of its staff from the north inner city. "The loss of so many jobs in one fell swoop will have a devastating effect on employment in an area where unemployment is traditionally very high," Mr Costello said.
The redundancies do not include those working the concession stands at Arnotts, and the overall figure is likely to top 600.
Boyers will close at the end of June and reopen in August as Arnotts at Home dealing mainly in furniture. Arnotts Henry Street store will close at the end of August when construction of the Northern Quarter is due to begin.
Over 900 people are employed at Arnotts and those retained are due to transfer to the nearby Debenhams store in the Jervis Street Centre, which will be re-branded following its purchase by Arnotts last year.
A spokesperson for the company was not available at the time of writing.
The Northern Quarter is due to take three years to complete, opening in 2011 with a larger store employing 1,000 people.
The 650,000-sq ft development is to be built on a 5.5-acre site between Middle Abbey St and Henry St. It is due to comprise of 47 shops; 17 cafes, restaurants and bars; a 149-bedroom four-star hotel and 175 apartments.
An Bord Pleanála this week deferred it decision on the planning application due to volume of work and has not set a new date for its adjudication.
"I don't see anything happening for the next five to seven working days," a spokesman said.
Eight parties have appealed planning permission for quarter, including An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency.
Fine Gael Enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar was also dismayed at the scale of the job losses.
"This is a terrible blow for the staff and for Dublin as a whole. Although job losses had been expected for some time, no-one expected that the lay-offs would be this significant," he said.
Those laid off be given preference when the company starts hiring again on their current terms and conditions, he added.
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