Dublin City Council has confirmed it has selected its preferred Design Team that will deliver a design for the redevelopment of Parnell Square Cultural Quarter (PSCQ).

Grafton Architects + Shaffrey Associates have been selected for the ambitious project.

The focus of the Quarter will be the development of more than 11,000m2, which the local authority says will be anchored by a new library offering a range of cultural facilities for the capital. It would be located at the former Coláiste Mhuire site and some adjacent properties.

The proposed appointment follows a public procurement process to select an architect-led multi-disciplinary design team, capable of providing all the architectural, conservation, engineering and contract management services required, to deliver on the redevelopment vision.

Design work on the application is scheduled to be ready for submission by early summer 2015.

Seed capital for the project is being provided by international real estate investment and services company, Kennedy Wilson, on a philanthropic basis.

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Welcoming the news, Lord Mayor Christy Burke, said: "This is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of Parnell Square, a cultural and historic gem right on our doorstep. This is the first and finest of our Georgian Squares and this project will invigorate the North Inner City, acting I'm sure as a catalyst to promote further economic and social regeneration in other areas of the City.

"It is great to see that a series of public meetings and workshops which took place over the past 12 months, involving all stakeholders from different social, economic and cultural perspectives, has informed the commissioning of the design and final design brief. I look forward to seeing the vision for the Square being captured in the design by Grafton Architects + Shaffrey Associates and I wish them every success in bringing the project to fruition."

Yvonne Farrell, representing Grafton Architects + Shaffrey Associates, added: "On behalf of Grafton Architects + Shaffrey Architects and our whole Design Team, we are delighted and honoured to have been chosen for this prestigious Project. This is a real belief in city and in imagination."

Peter Collins, Managing Director, Kennedy Wilson Europe, commented: "Kennedy Wilson is proud to be involved with this visionary development for Dublin city. As a company we are committed to supporting public projects in the cities in which we are based, that will have a genuine positive impact on the residents of those cities. Kennedy Wilson is committed to providing a lasting legacy for the people of Dublin."

More details regarding the cultural quarter is outlined in the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter Vision Document April 2013. It can be viewed here.

(JP/IT)