21 Aungier Street, Dublin

The following details are taken from the website of Dublin Civic Trust. (See here for more detailed information on this highly important project):

‘21 Aungier Street is a substantial early mansion dating to 1667 and the first of its kind in Dublin to be recognised for its architectural and historic significance. Completely derelict and virtually windowless by the early 1990s, the building was identified and saved from demolition by Dublin Civic Trust, and its complete transformation effected through complex structural stabilisation and reinstatement of interiors. The removal of render from its late Georgian façade and the conservation of its important early structural framing and staircase vividly demonstrates what can be achieved where there is an understanding of the historic layers to a building and how traditional construction materials interact’.

Dublin Civic Trust note on their website that the conservation of ‘Number 21 was one of our most transformative building projects which, more recently, has encouraged the conservation and protection of Aungier Street’s wider historic urban landscape through public policy recognition. A number of the buildings on the street are now Registered Monuments, as well as Protected Structures, and an Architectural Conservation Area designation is currently being formulated for the street and its hinterland by Dublin City Council’.

Southgate Associates were given the job by Dublin Civic Trust to manage the project through the restoration and conservation of the structure and envelope, and hand it over ready for interior fit-out. It is a very good example of how individual projects can lead to greater heritage-led urban regeneration in a single area.