Meadows & Byrne will lead the first wave of retail tenants at the chq building in Dublin Docklands.

The home furnishings and accessories store will open for business next Tuesday, November 6, at the chq building in the IFSC.

Encompassing 1,300 square metres, the shop will offer a wide range of home furnishings, gifts and accessories. Meadows & Byrne is the first of a number of tenants confirmed for the restored building which forms the centrepoint of the IFSC.

Meadows & Byrne was established in 1993 and now operates eight stores around the country including the IFSC store, the company's first city centre location in Dublin.

Commenting on the opening of the new store, Freda Hayes, CEO, Meadows & Byrne, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer our customers a Dublin city centre location. The chq building provides Meadows & Byrne with the stylish and contemporary surroundings that perfectly complement our offering. With the continuous development of the Docklands over the coming year, the chq building will be a 'must visit' destination."

Joining Meadows & Byrne is American company, Environment Furniture, specialists in environmentally sustainable furniture, opening their second European outlet. With stores in New York and California, Environment Furniture uses sustainable materials to create aesthetic, sophisticated designs with a true organic quality.

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Also commencing operations at the chq building in the coming weeks are beauty and cosmetics outlet, Nue Blue Eriu, Henry Jermyn Shirts and Carphone Warehouse. Leading fashion and textiles designer, Ciaran Sweeney, has also been confirmed, along with another new American arrival, the luxurious baby and gift boutique, Bunnies by the Bay and print gallery, Temple Tree House.

Leading coffee retailers and cafes, Insomnia Coffee Company and Starbucks will also take up residence at the chq building.

Paul Maloney, CEO of the Docklands Authority said: "The chq building is very much the focal point of Docklands and its restoration echoes the transformation that has taken place elsewhere in the area in recent years. This stunning building will be centrepiece of the IFSC and we are delighted to be showcasing it in time for Christmas with a great new lineup of tenants led by Meadows & Byrne."

Trading successfully at the chq building since June 2006, Ely Winebar gave customers a preview of what could be done in this historic building.

Bannon Commercial, agents for the chq building, have also lined up ladies' boutique, Fran & Jane, House of Tea, Kevin Sharkey and Louis Copeland to open in the coming months.

The chq building (formerly known as Stack A), located in the heart of Dublin's Docklands, overlooking the River Liffey, was built in 1820 as a wine and tobacco warehouse. The then Stack A was made famous when it hosted the Crimean War Banquet in 1856 celebrating the return of 3,000 Irish soldiers. The building has been magnificently restored and enhanced and is the final development in the IFSC to be completed.

The chq building is located in the heart of the IFSC and is just an eight minute walk from O'Connell Street. The building faces George's Dock, the site of the new Abbey Theatre.

(GK/JM)