Dublin — Hines and the Peterson Group are undertaking a major redevelopment of the former Central Bank headquarters in the city centre. The landmark building, originally designed by award-winning architect Sam Stephenson in the 1970s, was acquired by Hines and Peterson earlier this year after the Central Bank moved to a new location.
The redevelopment, named Central Plaza, will convert the existing structure and surrounding site into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Plans call for street-level and basement retail and restaurant spaces to activate the public realm, along with the addition of a two-story rooftop hospitality venue that will provide new dining and event options with panoramic city views.
Central Plaza is intended to balance respect for the building’s architectural heritage with contemporary upgrades that enhance its public and commercial use. The scheme aims to reconnect the building with the surrounding urban fabric by introducing active frontages, improving pedestrian accessibility, and creating a welcoming central plaza for residents, workers and visitors.
Hines and Peterson envisage a programme of interventions that will modernize the building’s interiors and services while preserving key architectural features where appropriate. The rooftop hospitality level is designed to offer a distinctive social destination, and the ground-floor retail will be curated to complement the area’s existing mix of businesses and to bring additional footfall to the neighbourhood.
“The Central Plaza proposal represents a significant investment by Hines and Peterson in the creation of an outstanding mixed-use scheme that will reinvigorate this iconic city centre building located in the heart of our capital,” said Brian Moran, Senior Managing Director of Hines Ireland. The project reflects a broader trend of repurposing city-centre office buildings into mixed-use developments that support urban vibrancy and economic activity.
As the project moves forward, further design details, planning approvals and timelines will be released by the development team. The adaptive reuse of the former Central Bank headquarters aims to deliver a high-quality, sustainable destination that contributes to Dublin’s long-term urban regeneration objectives and enhances the public realm around one of the city’s notable modernist buildings.