DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has officially bought Camden Yard, which is set to be its new main office.

Grant Thornton today announced it had completed the receivership sale of the Kevin Street complex.

The council intends to leave behind Wood Quay, the existing quay buildings which were completed in 1981 and 1994 and which controversially involved the destruction of the remains of a Viking settlement.

It’s intended that the Wood Quay site will be redeveloped for more than 500 public homes.

The council’s chief executive Richard Shakespeare previously told councillors that the move was about sustainability, as the cost of retrofitting its current civic offices to meet its climate commitments has risen as high as €400 million, according to reports.

A fast-approaching government target was announced in 2020 for all public buildings to achieve a minimum building energy rating (BER) of B by 2030. In 2019, the Civic Offices’ BER was D1, though it’s unclear whether that has since changed.

In comparison, it is planned that the Camden Yard site will have A3 BER.

“As outlined previously, relocating from the existing Civic Offices at Wood Quay would also unlock the potential for in excess of 500 public homes on the Wood Quay lands,” Shakespeare said.

“This approach supports both our climate objectives and the city’s significant housing needs.”

Shakespeare added that work “will now begin on the detailed design, planning, and sequencing required to advance this project”, and that updates will be provided “as key stages are reached”.