The chq Building (formerly 'Stack A', a Protected Structure, RPS No. 2094), Custom House Quay, Dublin 1

What’s proposed

The council’s description

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: PERMISSION: The proposals comprise alterations of The chq Building including change of use of existing floor space to facilitate a licenced food market at ground floor level (part), exhibition and event space (including dining, licenced restaurant) at mezzanine level (part) and the partial demolition of existing service buildings and provision of an extended services building. The development will consist of the partial demolition of 2 no. service buildings (external walls retained) and the provision of c. 2,952 sqm new floor area as follows: at basement (c. 246 sqm), ground floor (c. 134 sqm), mezzanine level (c. 691 sqm) and service building (c. 1,881 sqm); change of use of c. 4,829 sqm of existing retail/restaurant/storage units/office to food market at basement level (c. 28 sqm) and ground floor level (c. 2,094 sqm) and exhibition / event space (including dining and licenced restaurant use) at mezzanine level (c. 2,707sqm). Food and alcohol will be served within the food hall, galleria and outside area and the following works to The chq Building: 1. West-Elevation - New central entrance & stair & lift access from George's Dock including change of use of unit C1 (retail) and units 20 and 21 (restaurant) to food market use and circulation. The restoration of lost granite arched entrance and the provision of cast-iron doors and frame in its original location in the west elevation. 2. South-elevation Custom House Quay - Removal of modern restrictive revolving door and flight of steps and replacement with wider sliding doors and wider flight of steps to provide better access to and from chq building. 3. South Mall Area - (Ground Floor Level) - Change of use of existing chq units 1A - 11B, 13-15 & 18-19 from retail /restaurant to food market (providing 30 market units in total) and ancillary uses (cloakroom / locker area to rear of Units 18 & 19). 4. South-East mezzanine level (currently vacant/storage) Exhibition/event space (including dining) and pre-event space 01 with feature stairs and lift access from galleria; lowering of mezzanine by c. 300 mm. 5. Extended existing unit 1A (c. 49 sqm) to provide additional mezzanine floor area for winter garden at existing Dogpatch Labs, Startup Hub and shared office space. 6. Extension of existing unit 2 (c. 39 sqm) to provide additional mezzanine floor area for circulation to new exhibition event space. 7. North-West mezzanine - change of use from currently vacant/storage use to exhibition/event space and improved fire escape stairs (amendments to Unit 31 at ground floor level). 8. South-West mezzanine - change of use from currently vacant/storage use to exhibition/event space including pre-event space 02 with pop up unit, keg room & restroom provision, with feature stairs accessed from market entrance. 9. Provision of two no. internal bridges / viewing platforms to connect east & west mezzanine Levels. 10. Partial demolition (external walls retained) and extension to two no. existing service buildings at eastern elevation to provide a 5-storey mixed-use building over extended basement (total floor area c. 3,717 sqm including basement), (with enclosed roof level above behind brick parapet wall and (part) covered with green roof), to provide back of house facilities including staff, office and event service use and bicycle parking (44 spaces) (at ground to second floor levels) & office space (at third and fourth floor levels) and installation of fall-arrest system and plant at roof level. Building to have pedestrian access from George's Dock to the north and vehicular access to loading bays at car park at eastern elevation via Exchange Place. 11.Provision of 30 no. new openable glazed rooflights to the inner slopes of the chq roof and removal of forty-six existing glazed rooflights and replacement with openable glazed roof lights (AOVS) to match existing. Removal of fifty-six small panes of glass in cast-iron lanterns lights and replacement with metal grills and installation of fall-arrest system. 12. Provision of designated outdoor seating for food market at George's Dock adjacent to west elevation. 13. Extended floor area (c. 246 sqm) at basement/vault level (east) for required additional fire escape access, fridge room, keg room, workshop and improved services and change of use from office space to museum restroom at basement level (west). 14. Provision of thirteen signage elements on East Elevation, West Elevation, and Southeast Mezzanine totalling c. 25.65 sqm. Signage 1: Central Entrance (3 x 0.93 sqm each); Signage 2: Market Entrance (2 x 0.93 sqm each); Signage 3: Irish Food Market (4 x 2.13 sqm each); Signage 4: Epic CHQ Gala Banquet (4) x 3.12 sqm each). 15. Completion of repairs and renovation of historic and modern fabric as detailed in the Conservation Methodology Statement in compliance with Conservation Best Practice, including restoration of 3 no segmental granite arches at ground floor level in the east elevation and openings in the historic fabric of the east wall including 3 no door openings and a servery opening, to provide access to the services building of the Protected Structure. 16. All associated site works and provision of 18 no. bicycle parking spaces at the northwest elevation. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the planning application