17 Sep 2025 €7m funding awarded through Thrive Scheme
Renovation, extension and reuse of No. 9 George’s Place, Dún Laoghaire (Protected Structure RPS no. 1958) and renovation and reuse of the former Wash House, Kelly’s Avenue, Dún Laoghaire (Protected Structure RPS no. 1959) to provide a Centre for Creative Lifelong Learning, works to also include alterations to boundary walls and railings and enhancement of the existing courtyard and public realm.
The proposed development comprises of:
Full retrofit and refurbishment of no. 9 George’s Place (Floor Area: 484 sqm) to accommodate new use as a Centre for Creative Lifelong Learning with studio spaces, teaching rooms, multi-purpose rooms / meeting rooms and associated social spaces.
Full thermal efficiency upgrading of both protected structures to best conservation practice.
Demolition of existing two- storey lean-to extension to no. 9 George’s Place which is structurally unsound and in very poor condition (Footprint: 83 sqm, Floor area: approx. 166sqm).
Construction of a new three-storey-over-lower-ground-floor extension to replace the existing two-storey, lean-to extension to provide universal access to all levels of no. 9 George’s Place and to provide new multi-purpose studios and meeting rooms for the Centre for Creative Lifelong Learning with two small terraces at upper level. Extension approx. 11.5 x 10.4m footprint, area c. 315 sqm.
The Ground Floor extension provides level entrance from street level to a doubleheight entrance foyer. The ground floor of the new extension is split level to provide access to the existing lower ground floor level of the protected structure. It also provides lift & stair access to the upper floors and contains a multipurpose room and Changing Places facility.
First floor extension contains a lift & stair core, multipurpose room and glazed link to no. 9 George’s Place.
Second floor extension contains lift & stair core, multipurpose room, office and glazed link to no. 9 George’s Place.
Third floor extension contains lift & stair core, terrace to the rear accessed from the corridor and multipurpose room with small terrace to the front.
Full retrofit and refurbishment of former Wash House, Kelly’s Avenue to include insertion of internal platform lift in Wash House for Universal Access, revised internal layout to accommodate new use and full thermal efficiency upgrading to best conservation practice. A small existing lean-to shed to the rear of the Wash House will be removed.
The external courtyard between the two buildings will be retained to facilitate access and circulation between the two buildings. It will be landscaped with a pergola overhead and seating to enhance the circulation route between the two buildings.
External enhancement of the boundaries of the site including retention of the section of original front plinth wall and railings and replacement of the non-original section of front boundary wall and railings with new contemporary plinth wall and railings to match proportions of the original railings to George’s Place. Wall, railings and gate piers to Kelly’s Avenue to be retained and non-original gates to courtyard to be replaced with new contemporary gate. This new gate will be a pedestrian access gate to the courtyard and a larger gate to be opened for emergency vehicular access only.
To find out more details on this Church & Community Development in Dublin Granted permission on 28th March 2025 take the free trial here.
