The Architectural Centre, 8, Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
Refurbishment, restoration, and minor extension of the RIAI headquarters at Merrion Square.
3738/19 · Dublin City Council · Lodged 13 August 2019
- Reference
- 3738/19
- Authority
- Dublin City Council
- Register status
- Decided
- Type
- Permission
- Received
- 13 August 2019
Summary
AI-generatedThe development consists of extensive conservation and repair works to the protected structure, including reroofing, window refurbishment, and structural repairs. It also includes replacing a basement conservatory, constructing a rear return infill extension, and carrying out landscaping to provide universal access.
Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.
Official record
Development description
Protected structure: the development will consist of refurbishment and restoration of 8 merrion square, dublin d02 ye68, a protected structure (ref: 5109), in use as office space and headquarters to the royal institute of the architects of ireland, to comprise the following: reroofing, including chimneys, leadwork and timber repairs; repair of existing balcony; removal of existing cantilevered toilet block at 2nd floor landing and reconfiguration of opening to reinstate landing window; structural repairs; removal of existing conservatory at rear basement level and replacement with new structure to existing footprint; render repairs to rear elevations; refurbishment of timber sliding sash windows; fire upgrade of existing structure; conservation and repair of internal historic fabric; reinstatement of glazed lay light to first floor return; improved accessibility; reconfiguration of internal spaces to provide improved member, visitor and staff facilities; infill extension to rear return building; upgrade of m & e service installation; refurbishment of existing access platform at front basement level; external landscaping works at rear to provide universal access.
Land-use zoning
What this land is zoned for
“To consolidate and facilitate the development of the central area, and to identify, reinforce, strengthen and protect its civic design character and dignity.”
National zoning type: City/Town/village Centre, central area
Objective set by the Development Plan 2022-2028 (2022–2028). The planning authority decides each application on its own merits — this is the zoning context, not a compliance assessment.
Read the zoning objectives in the development planBuilt & sold
What happened next
Beyond the decision: whether this development was built, and what property here has sold for.
Built — construction complete
A commencement notice records works starting on 19 July 2021.
Notified floor area: 830 m²
2 commencement notices are linked to this development.
Recent sales nearby
within 500 m| Address | Date | Price | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Clare Street, Dublin 2 | Nov 2025 | €350,000 | 136 m |
| Apt 25, Alexander Court Apts, 11 14 Fenian St Dublin 2 | Feb 2025 | €395,000 | 158 m |
| 16 Alexander Court, Fenian St, Dublin 2 | Mar 2026 | €382,500 | 158 m |
| Apt 3 - Alexander Court, 11 - 14 Fenian Street, Dublin 2 | Dec 2025 | €384,000 | 158 m |
| Apartment 2, 20 Clare Street, Dublin 2 | Nov 2025 | €442,666 | 158 m |
| Apartment 1, 20 Clare Street, Dublin 2 | Nov 2025 | €442,666 | 158 m |
| Apartment 3, 20 Clare Street, Dublin 2 | Nov 2025 | €442,666 | 158 m |
| Apt 5 Holemeade House, Holles St, Dublin 2 | Jun 2025 | €390,000 | 263 m |
Nearby properties, not this site — a guide to local values.
Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) and the Residential Property Price Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Records are matched to this application by location and may not be exhaustive; always confirm against the official source before relying on them.
Key dates
Timeline
- Application received13 August 2019
- Decision due7 October 2019
- Decision issued7 October 2019
- Grant issued13 November 2019
In the area
Applications near this site
Other planning applications within about 500 m — what else is being proposed or built nearby.
- GrantedAt this site
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: We, The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, intend to apply for Permission for…
8, Merrion Square, Dublin 2, D02 YE68
WEB1370/25Dublin CityLodged 25 Feb 2025Alterations
- InvalidAt this site
PROTECTED STRUCUTRE: The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, intend to apply for Permission for…
8 Merrion Square, Dublin, D02 YE68
WEB1360/25Dublin CityLodged 24 Feb 2025Alterations
- Granted40 m away
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Dublin Therapeutic Massage Clinic, intend to apply for permission for development at…
Basement Front, 10 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
WEB2107/25Dublin CityLodged 21 May 2025Change of use
- Granted50 m away
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Development at No. 13 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2 to the rear of No. 13 Merrion Square…
13, Denzille Lane, Dublin 2 to the rear of 13, Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
2575/18Dublin CityLodged 23 Mar 2018Apartments
- Granted50 m away
Extension to the previously granted Reg.Ref. 4296/19, to extend the ground floor by an additional 68 sq.m to…
Merrion Building (Morrissey's), Merrion Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 X27
3115/22Dublin CityLodged 21 Jan 2022Commercial
- Granted60 m away
The proposed development will consist of amendments and alterations to a previously approved scheme granted…
Merrion Building, (Morrissey's), Merrion Street Lower, Dublin 2
4296/19Dublin CityLodged 24 Oct 2019Alterations
- Granted70 m away
RETENTION AND PERMISSION: The development will consist of Retention Permission of the existing 6th Floor…
The Alex Hotel, 16-20 Cumberland Street South, Dublin 2, D02Y097, and 41-47 Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02H678.
WEB2196/26Dublin CityLodged 13 May 2026Retention
- Granted70 m away
The development will consist of the erection of two no. external powder coated steel framed pergola style…
Tang Cafe, 2 Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 H0V5
3328/23Dublin CityLodged 7 Mar 2023Alterations
Related developments
Similar applications
Ranked by what these developments actually propose, not by matching words — so you can see how comparable applications were decided.
- InvalidAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCUTRE: The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, intend to apply for Permission for…
8 Merrion Square, Dublin, D02 YE68
WEB1360/25Dublin CityLodged 24 Feb 2025
- GrantedAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: We, The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, intend to apply for Permission for…
8, Merrion Square, Dublin 2, D02 YE68
WEB1370/25Dublin CityLodged 25 Feb 2025
- GrantedAlterations
EXT. OF DURATION / PROTECTED STRUCTURE: (ref: 5109), in use as office space and headquarters to The Royal…
The Architectural Centre, 8, Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
3738/19/X1Dublin CityLodged 9 Jan 2025
- InvalidAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The proposed development will consist of: (i) Restoration works to the brick façade on…
Nos 39-43, Merrion Square East (Protected Structures), D02 NP96, D02 R997 with frontage to Stephen's Place, Dublin 2.
3841/21Dublin CityLodged 10 Nov 2021
- GrantedChange of use
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of — Change of use from commercial offices to reinstate…
No. 30 Merrion Street Upper (D02 Y239) and No. 1 Merrion Place (D02 R129), Dublin 2, Dublin, D02Y239
WEB1074/26Dublin CityLodged 9 Jan 2026
- InvalidAlterations
PROTECTED STRUCUTRE: The proposed development will consist of works to the main structures and rear returns…
39-43, Merrion Square East, (Protected Structures), D02 NP96, D02 R997 with frontage to Stephen's Place, Dublin 2
3643/22Dublin CityLodged 31 Mar 2022
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