Planning permission for part of the €500 million development located opposite Heuston Station has been granted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Eircom. The permission relates to the Westgate site which is located at St John's Road and Military Road and is jointly owned by OPW and Eircom.
A spokeswoman for OPW confirmed last night the planning permission has been granted but said the company will now look for the best way to develop the site.
"More than likely, we'll sell off our share," she said. She added that OPW's share may go to Eircom or another vested company. Eircom has not confirmed what their long-term involvement in the project will be.
The 9.5-acre site is occupied by warehouses already used by OPW and Eircom, but plans for the site include developments to accommodate some 3,000 workers. The second site is wholly owned by OPW, but is partly derelict.
The total development of both sites includes 650 apartments and 750,000 sq ft of office space designed to accommodate some 5,000 workers. The development will span 14.3 acres. This will be OPW's first joint venture and is included in Minister of State, Mr Tom Parlon's proposals to transform State assets and develop under-utilised State land.
The site forms part of the Heuston Gateway Regeneration Strategy, which in turn is part of the planning and regeneration of Dublin city.
Current planning rules stipulate that 30 per cent of the project must be residential and 60 per cent office space, with the remainder being used for commercial, retail, leisure and cultural activities.
The Westgate scheme is also the location for the State's tallest building. The 32-storey residential tower will be developed between Dr Steevens's Hospital and the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism had expressed concern at the development given the location of the Royal Hospital, which houses a museum. The scheme, which according to Mr Parlon has a potential value of €500 million, is due for completion in four or five years' time.