Plans for a €100 million redevelopment of St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre have been officially refused by An Bord Pleanála on 30 July—overturning earlier approval from Dublin City Council.
The reason? The design was judged to be bland and lacking in architectural quality for its key city centre location.
The original scheme, submitted by DTDL Ltd in 2023, proposed adding two extra storeys onto the existing six, expanding by over 21,000 m², and tearing down the famous dome, façade, arched windows and flower-ground details. It also included new office space, shops, a gallery and cinema.
Dublin City Council had previously flagged major concerns about building height, massing, and reduced retail and F&B space. Critics argued the redevelopment would clash with Grafton Street’s character and fail to properly justify demolishing a building considered unique by many—even if not officially protected.
Local campaigners—including conservation group An Taisce, the Irish Times’ Frank McDonald, and retailer Emmett Rogers—lodged appeals to stop the scheme. They praised the heritage appeal process, noting that even though the current centre dates back to 1988, its light-filled interiors and historic streetscape contribution mustn’t be discarded lightly.
An Bord Pleanála indicated it could be open to revised plans in future—provided any redesign meets high standards of placemaking and urban design, especially if the façade were replaced with a far stronger architectural solution.
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