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DDDA looking for development experience to build U2 tower

Dublin Docklands Development Authority is seeking expressions of interest from world-class development teams, who have significant experience in the delivery of high rise towers of architectural merit, to compete for a unique development opportunity to design, construct and finance the U2 Tower and Britain Quay Development.

The Tower, which is over 100 metres high, consists of approximately 20,000 square metres of mainly residential space and will also be the home of the rock band U2抯 recording studio. The adjacent Britain Quay Development will be approximately 11,500 square metres and will contain a mix of uses including leisure, residential, commercial, arts and culture uses.

Both developments will reside at the confluence of three waterways, the River Liffey, River Dodder and Grand Canal, and will be served by specially designed boardwalks and marinas.

Last month, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche, TD, approved the increase in the height of the U2 Tower to 100 metres. This approval was part of a larger Grand Canal Dock Planning Scheme (Amendment) which will result in approximately 430 residential units and 53,000m?of commercial development being attracted to this area of Docklands. Overall the Grand Canal Dock area will see the construction of up to 3,700 residential units, 20% of which will be Social and Affordable Housing.

"The U2 Tower will provide a unique and remarkable architectural icon for Docklands and the city of Dublin. This project presents an exciting development opportunity to deliver a key landmark project in Docklands, which is at the forefront of local, national and international design innovation and will create an enduring landmark in the capital," said Paul Maloney, Chief Executive, Docklands Authority.

"The U2 Tower is one of the most significant architectural projects to be delivered in the regeneration of Docklands and combined with the recently approved planning scheme for 100 metre tower on the north side of the Liffey, the Watchtower, will form a dramatic architectural gateway into Dublin city," said Lar Bradshaw, Chairman of the Docklands Authority.

The U2 Tower is part of the Grand Canal Dock area, where the Docklands Authority are working with some of the worlds leading architects on projects such as the Daniel Libeskind-designed Grand Canal Theatre, the Manuel Aires Mateus designed five star hotel, and Martha Swartz designed public plaza, Grand Canal Square. Together with developers the Docklands Authority is delivering some of the most creative construction projects in the country.