MotorIndustry: Universal Honda Ltd hopes to move into its new €10 million corporate headquarters at Citywest before the end of the year. Justin Comiskey reports.
The company, which distributes Honda vehicles in Ireland, works from a facility at the Old Naas Road in Dublin 12 but decided to move to Citywest because of the high visibility of the site to the N7 and its proximity to the M50.
Honda's new facilities will include offices, a showroom, and distribution and conference facilities on a 5,098 sq m (54,874 sq ft) site beside Brown's Barn interchange just off the N7 dual-carriageway and 3kms from the M50.
The new headquarters will have underground and surface car-parking for 90 cars and internal floor space of 2,584 sq m (27,814 sq ft). Its showroom will be a double height atrium space with angular structural curtain wall glazing.
A 200 sq m (2,153 sq ft) dedicated service training area with a vehicle test lane is also on the ground floor.
Currently under construction, the development is being managed by Phelan Project Management, built by Rohcon Ltd and is designed by James Smyth Architects. "This is a substantial investment for Honda that will give the brand excellent profile," says Peter Cullen, managing director of Universal Honda.
"The new headquarters is architecturally innovative with a suspended circular glazed showroom and clever use of copper and Wicklow granite reflecting the style, creativity and prowess that is Honda."
