The Irish Times

The successful firm of architects headed by Tony Reddy, president of the RIAI, suffered a setback last month when An Bord Pleanála decided to omit a 12-storey tower from its scheme for a key site between Heuston Station and the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. Anthony Reddy and Associates (ARA) sought permission on behalf of Eircom for a mixed-use development with a floor area of 98,389 sq m (1.06 million sq ft), including 48,531 sq m (522,383 sq ft) of offices, 267 apartments, a hotel and conference centre, a museum/art gallery and a number of retail units. A total of 18 buildings were proposed, ranging in height from two storeys to 12. The scheme was approved by Dublin City Council last February and appealed by the South West Inner City Partnership, mainly because of fears about its adverse impact on the setting of historic buildings. The board was being generous in granting permission against a strong recommendation from one of its senior planning inspectors, Kevin Moore, for a refusal - largely on urban design grounds. "There is a sameness about this development that should not be tolerated at this sensitive location," he said.