Plans for two new theatre spaces at the former Viking Adventure Centre in Temple Bar have been approved by Dublin City Council.

The theatre complex, which will also be a new home for the Gaiety School of Acting, will be located on the site of the former St Michael and St John's Church on Exchange Street Lower.

The site also incorporates the walls of the original Smock Alley theatre dating from the 1660s, the oldest theatre in the British Isles.

Adjoining buildings, formerly a boys and girls school now used by the Cultivate Living & Learning Centre, also form part of the site.

The new complex, designed by O'Keeffe Architects, will incorporate a 140-seater Black Box theatre with a bar/café and studio space for the Gaiety School of Acting.

A new 220-seat theatre will also be provided in the former church and will also incorporate the walls of the old Smock Alley. It will be run as a receiving venue by Smock Alley Ltd, which lists Patrick Sutton and Joe Dowling, of the Gaiety School of Acting, and Philomena Byrne, head of public relations with IMMA, as directors.

The buildings, which are owned by the Temple Bar Trust, are being leased to Smock Alley Ltd.