CROWDS GATHERED OUTSIDE Stephen’s Green shopping centre this afternoon to show their opposition to a redesign proposal approved by the council.

The redesign, which has been subject to two separate appeals since mock-ups of the proposed new frontage of the centre were released, has received mixed reviews.

Originally built in the 1980s, the centre is known for its white ironwork and glass design. The redesign will see this glass and ironwork replaced, mainly with redbrick. 

The project has been costed at €100 million.

Digital visual of what the shopping centre could look like Dublin City Council

One of the objectors to the partial demolition and renovation, the Save Stephen’s Green campaign, organised the protest today.

One campaign organiser said the protest “aims to highlight public concern over the loss of an iconic building, and to call for observations and appeals to be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála”.

“As we have seen by the engagement and involvement Dublin’s citizens have taken in the campaign, there is a sense of responsibility to participate in the city-making process,” said a campaign representative.

“While people are critical of the building’s flaws and its current state of decay, they care for it and want investment and effort to be put into renewing it.”

People gathering outside St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre to protest against the proposed redevelopment. pic.twitter.com/2Uiue5dptf

— Razan Ibraheem (@RazanIRL) May 9, 2026

The organisers argue that the redevelopment would “significantly alter the character of the area” surrounding St Stephen’s Green and “remove a building that holds cultural and
architectural value” for many Dublin residents and visitors.

Protesters carried signs with slogans including ‘Down with this sort of thing!’ and ‘Save our heritage/Stop the horror’.

Others said ‘Keep your corporate slop out of our beautiful building!!!’ and simply, ‘Not what we want’.

There were chants of ‘Save Stephen’s Green’.