THE DUBLIN property world lost one of its most popular figures this week with the sudden death of Gus MacAmhlaigh who had a central role in the redevelopment of the early phases of the Dublin docklands.

Gus left the Department of the Environment in 1987 to become the first secretary of the newly formed Custom House Development Authority, a forerunner of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA).

He and his chairman, the late Frank Benson, were key figures in formulating the first masterplan for the docklands which concentrated mainly on the IFSC.

The first three office buildings at the entrance to the site were sold to A|B, Bank of Ireland and Dermot Desmond’s IIU with the help of tax incentives. Gus worked closely with the then taoiseach, Charles Haughey, in promoting the area at a time when development funds were tight and the business climate was less than favourable.

The Co Louth-born executive later served as general manager of the newly formed DDDA which has been responsible for the largest ever regeneration scheme in the history of the State.

More than 21,000 people are now employed in the docklands and a further 22,000 live in the area. Gus left the DDDA in 1998 to become CEO of the Irish Pension Unit Trust (IPUT), one of the largest property funds in the country.

He remained in that post for almost a decade during which the property market experienced exceptional growth in both rents and capital values.

After retiring in 2007 he joined his good friend Joe Bannon on the board of directors of commercial estate agents Bannon Commercial.

Gus will be sadly missed by his many friends.