Politics
An Coimisiún Pleanála Blocks 14-Storey Office Block at Dublin City Quay
The July 17 decision leaves the former City Arts Centre site unchanged for now, with Dublin residents facing continued delays before any redevelopment begins.
How we reported this
An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused permission for a 14-storey office block proposed by Ventaway Ltd on the site of the former City Arts Centre at City Quay in Dublin 2. The ruling reverses Dublin City Council’s approval from July 2025 and keeps the location in its current state for the immediate future.
Why the decision arrived now
Three groups lodged appeals against the council approval. They include An Taisce, St Laurence O’Toole Trust and the Administrator of the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary along with City Quay National School. The commission reviewed those appeals before issuing its refusal on July 17 2026.
Ventaway Ltd is led by developer David Kennan and Barry English of Winthrop engineering group. This latest refusal forms part of an ongoing series of setbacks for the company’s redevelopment proposals at the same address.
How residents experience the outcome
People who live and work near City Quay will continue to see the existing building rather than a new office tower. Daily routines around the quayside area remain unaltered while the site awaits any future application.
The absence of construction activity means no short-term changes to local traffic patterns or footfall that a completed office block might have produced. Dublin 2 residents can expect the current situation to persist until Ventaway or another party submits a revised plan and receives a fresh determination.
Policy analysts note that each planning cycle adds months to the timeline before any physical work could start. The commission’s refusal sets the next possible steps back by at least the period required for a new application and its review.