'Park In The Sky' Central To €1.2bn Former Carlton Site Plans

A dramatic scheme to include a unique visitor attraction for Dublin, the "Park in the Sky" - with a panoramic observation deck and stunning views of the city - is being planned.

The €1.25bn development's plans for a 5.5 acre site - centred on the former Carlton cinema, on Upper O'Connell Street - are to be lodged with Dublin City Council later this week.

The proposal, by leading commercial developers Chartered Land, would bring up to 7,000 jobs during construction and employ 3,000 when complete.

In what could be the biggest regeneration project of O'Connell Street in recent years, Dublin Central would incorporate two new public streets and three new public squares, 108 modern apartments, 109 new retail stores, a major flagship department store, a roof-top restaurant quarter with 17 new restaurants and a new visitor attraction - the "Park in the Sky".

The scheme is designed by Dublin Central Architects (DCA), a partnership between Burke-Kennedy Doyle Architects, McGarry Ni Eanaigh Architects and Donnelly Turpin Architects.

Dominic Deeny, Chief Executive, Chartered Land said the scheme will create a vibrant urban quarter on Upper O'Connell Street, revitalise the city centre retail offer and provide a 'must see' visitor attraction for Ireland.

He said: "We believe we have a world class design and a totally committed team to deliver our vision."

Central to the scheme is a spectacular and unique visitor attraction for the city. The "Park in the Sky" will sit above the scheme's iconic building and will include at its summit a panoramic observation deck which will provide visitors with a stunning vista of Dublin city.

The summit of the attraction will be accessed via a funicular transport system, designed by Marks Barfield Architects, through the "Park in the Sky" which will be fully accessible to the public.

The scheme includes a total of twelve listed structures which will be handled in a variety of ways from full retention and restoration to façade retention. The façade of the Carlton Cinema will be retained and relocated 50 metres north of its current position. This is in order to facilitate the opening up of the new square to O'Connell Street at a crucial point on the thoroughfare.

Michael McGarry, DCA said: "Dublin Central will transform what has become a marginal urban landscape into a bustling social and cultural environment. It will be a world-class metropolitan development on a scale unprecedented in the city centre.

"Our vision is to celebrate the city's prime thoroughfare by creating a striking new piece of Dublin architecture and an unrivalled European retail and leisure destination."

Chartered Land has a considerable amount of high profile developments underway including the development of Dublin's South King Street; the purchase of and development ambition for The Pavilions, Swords; the landmark development of Grand Canal Square; joint ownership and refurbishment of the ILAC Shopping Centre. Dublin Central is however Chartered Land's defining project.

(VB)