The redeveloped west end of Dublin's Temple Bar area - dubbed Old City - has won the a major award from Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for Planning and City Regeneration.
This project, the last major commercial development to be undertaken within the Temple Bar design framework, comprises a set of related residential and retail schemes centred around a new street, Cow's Lane, between Lord Edward Street and Essex Street West.
Mr Dick Gleeson, Dublin City Council's deputy chief planning officer, was delighted by the award, describing the scheme as "a model of good urban design".
Chosen from 90 entries, it was the only Irish project to be short-listed.
Mr John Billingham, chairman of the judging panel, said Temple Bar had been transformed from a rundown area to an ambitious urban regeneration project. "We were highly impressed by the scheme, which is an excellent example of new city-centre housing."
Mr Dermot McLaughlin, the new chief executive of Temple Bar Properties, said that an attractive new neighbourhood and trading district had been created for Dublin. The RTPI award had brought to more than 20 the number of awards won by Temple Bar.
Old City was designed by five architectural practices working to a social, cultural and environmental brief. It includes 191 apartments and 24 retail units as well as a crèche, roof gardens, underground car parking and an innovative district heating scheme.
The award was made to Dublin City Council, Temple Bar Properties, Anthony Reddy and Associates, Burke Kennedy Doyle Architects, de Blacam & Meagher Architects, McGarry Ní Eanaigh Architects, O'Dowd O'Herlihy Horan Architects and RPS McHugh Consultants.
