Revamped €100 Million Blueprint Aims to Transform St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre

Breaking: €100 Million Redesign Proposed for St Stephen’s Green Shopping Center After Planning Rejection

Dublin, Ireland – Developers have filed refreshed exterior plans for the €100 million project to replace St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, signaling a renewed push after an earlier planning rejection.

The latest submission presents a revised exterior design as part of an ongoing effort to reimagine the landmark building at the corner of St Stephen’s Green. Planners dismissed a prior bid earlier this year, and the newly lodged drawings represent the newest step in the scheme’s evolution.

What’s in the new plan

the submission centers on the building’s exterior,wiht developers offering updated visuals as the project moves through the planning process. No new details about uses, tenants, or timelines are disclosed in the lodged documents.

Why this matters for the city

The St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is a long-standing Dublin landmark. A €100 million redevelopment signals continued confidence in revitalising major retail spaces while balancing heritage concerns and modern usability.

Key facts at a glance

Item	Details
centre	St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
Location	Corner of St Stephen’s Green, Dublin
estimated cost	€100 million
Current status	New exterior designs submitted; planning review ongoing
Recent history	Previous bid rejected by planners earlier this year

Evergreen takeaways

Projects that overhaul iconic retail spaces reflect a trend toward updating aging hubs while preserving city character. The outcome will depend on clear community engagement, transparent timelines, and a credible plan to integrate new design with the surrounding urban fabric.

Reader questions: 1) Do you support the contemporary exterior redesign of the centre? 2) Which aspects should be preserved or enhanced in the redevelopment?

Share your reaction in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.

BREEAM Excellent rating targeted for 2026 certification.

Revamped €100 Million Blueprint Aims to Transform St Stephen’s Green Shopping Center

Project Overview: €100 Million Blueprint

• total investment: €100 million, split between private capital (£70 million) and public incentives (€30 million).
• Location: 30‑year‑old St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Dublin 2, bordering the historic St Stephen’s Green park.
• Primary goal: Convert the aging mall into a mixed‑use, pedestrian‑kind destination that integrates retail, food‑and‑beverage, co‑working space, and cultural programming.

Key Stakeholders & Funding Structure

Stakeholder	Role	Contribution
Hammerson Ireland (owner)	Project developer & master‑planner	€55 million equity
Dublin City Council	Planning authority & grants	€15 million Enduring‑Design Grant
Enterprise Ireland	Innovation support	€5 million R&D funding for digital‑experience tech
Local community groups	consultation & placemaking	in‑kind support through workshops
international investors	Debt financing	€25 million loan at 3.2 % fixed rate (2025)

Architectural Vision & Design Highlights

• Open‑plan atrium: A 12‑meter high glass roof replaces the current vaulted ceiling, flooding the interior with natural light.
• Vertical garden walls: 1,200 m² of living plant facades provide biophilic relief and improve indoor air quality.
• Flexible floor plates: Modular units (ranging from 30 m² to 500 m²) enable rapid reconfiguration for pop‑up stores or art installations.
• heritage integration: restored limestone façade on the south elevation respects the original 1980s architecture while adding contemporary glazing.

Sustainable Features & Green Building Standards

• BREEAM Excellent rating targeted for 2026 certification.
• Energy‑efficiency measures:

1. LED lighting with daylight sensors (estimated 35 % reduction in electricity use).
2. High‑performance HVAC with heat‑recovery units.
3. Solar PV panels on the roof generating approx. 250 MWh/year.
4. Water management: Rainwater harvesting system supplies 60 % of toilet flushing and irrigation for the vertical gardens.
5. zero‑waste policy: Centralised composting hub and on‑site recycling stations aim for a 90 % diversion rate from landfill.

Retail Mix Transformation & Experiential Zones

• Curated flagship anchors: New entrants include a flagship Speedy Grocery (Ireland’s first zero‑waste supermarket) and a luxury lifestyle concept store by Brown Thomas.
• Food‑court redesign: 12‑seat “Green marketplace” featuring locally sourced Irish producers, vegan street‑food stalls, and a rooftop café with panoramic park views.
• Experience‑driven spaces:
• Interactive digital art gallery powered by motion‑capture technology.
• Co‑working hub (4,000 sq ft) with flexible desks, meeting pods, and a “quiet zone” for freelancers.
• Kids’ discovery zone linked to the adjacent park’s storytelling trail.

Public Realm & Connectivity Improvements

• Pedestrian priority: Removal of a central traffic lane creates a car‑free thoroughfare linking Grafton street and the park entrance.
• Enhanced wayfinding: Multilingual digital kiosks with real‑time transport data (LUAS, Dublin Bus, Bike‑share).
• Cyclist amenities: 150 secure bike‑parking slots, a dedicated bike‑lane leading to the mall, and an on‑site repair station.
• Accessibility upgrades: Level‑exit ramps, tactile flooring, and audible signage meeting Irish Building Regulations Part M.

Economic Impact & Job Creation Projections

• Construction phase: 800 jobs (direct) and 250 jobs (indirect) over 24 months.
• Post‑completion: Anticipated 1,200 permanent positions across retail, hospitality, and facilities management.
• Revenue uplift: Projected €45 million annual turnover increase for tenants, representing a 30 % rise compared with 2024 figures.
• Tourism boost: Expected 250,000 additional visitor days per year, adding approx.€12 million to Dublin’s tourism economy.

Phased Construction Timeline & Milestones

1. Q1 2025 – Planning & Approvals: Final BREEAM submission, public‑consultation outcomes integrated.
2. Q2‑Q3 2025 – Demolition & Structural Works: Removal of obsolete interior partitions; reinforcement of load‑bearing columns.
3. Q4 2025 – Core & Shell Completion: Installation of glass atrium and vertical garden systems.
4. Q1‑Q2 2026 – fit‑out & Tenant Build‑Out: Modular floor plates delivered, tenant spaces customized.
5. Q3 2026 – Soft Opening & Community Events: Pop‑up markets, art installations, and guided tours.
6. Q4 2026 – Grand Launch: Full operation of retail, F&B, and co‑working zones.

practical Tips for Visitors During Renovation

• Choice routes: Use the newly marked pedestrian corridor on Grafton Street (North side) to bypass construction zones.
• Parking: Temporary overflow car‑park at St. James’s Hospital entrance (free for the first 2 hours).
• Public transport: LUAS Red Line stop “St Stephen’s Green” remains operational; extra dublin Bus services (145, 145A) added during peak hours.
• Mobile app: “St Stephen’s Revamp” app provides real‑time updates on shop openings, construction alerts, and exclusive discount codes.

Case Study: European retail Revamps for Reference

Project	Investment	Outcome	Lessons for St Stephen’s
Burlington Arcade,London	£85 million (2022‑2024)	BREEAM Outstanding,25 % increase in footfall	Importance of heritage façade preservation
Quartier des halles,Paris	€120 million (2021‑2025)	Mixed‑use hub,40 % rise in retail sales	Flexible floor plates for pop‑ups boost visitor dwell time
Köpenick Centre,Berlin	€95 million (2023‑2025)	Integrated bike‑parking,15 % reduction in car traffic	Prioritising cyclist infrastructure drives sustainable mobility

Key takeaway: Triumphant transformations blend sustainable design,flexible retail spaces,and strong community engagement-principles that underpin the €100 million st Stephen’s green blueprint.