The Parnell Square Cultural Quarter (PSCQ) will be a landmark destination, which will complete the Civic Spine of Dublin at its northern end.

Following on from the public launch of this major project, Dublin City Council is now seeking an outstanding Design Team to deliver that landmark. The Civic Spine route includes the Grafton Street and Henry Street prime retail areas, important third level institutions and major cultural and tourism destinations.

A public procurement process, to select an architect-led multi-disciplinary design team, to provide all the architectural, conservation design and contract management services required to deliver this vision, is about to get underway.

The centrepiece of the Quarter is a development of over 11,000m2, anchored by a new City library, which will broker a mix of cultural facilities for Dublin at the former Coláiste Mhuire site and some adjacent properties. The development will be a mix of new buildings and renovated historic buildings, integrated with the existing Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane. The complex of historic buildings is of high architectural significance and will require appropriate care in its design treatment. The north side of Parnell Square will be re-landscaped to provide a high quality external public events space.

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Seed capital for the project is being provided by international real estate investment and services company, Kennedy Wilson, on a philanthropic basis. The company, which has its main European office in Dublin, will also lead further required fund raising and provide expertise to assist in management of the development.

Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect, said: "The Parnell Square Cultural Quarter landmark development will draw people from across the city, inspiring economic and physical renewal along the Civic Spine. It will be the most important cultural development in Dublin for 100 years. Dublin City Council is seeking an architect led multi disciplinary design team who can match the ambition of the project, delivering exemplar architectural, conservation and environmental innovation. The development is a rare opportunity to introduce significant contemporary architecture within an historic Georgian terrace, creating a place unique to Dublin."

(CD/MH)