Protected Structure Refurbishment, Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7
April 19, 2016
I am delighted to share one of my upcoming jobs here on Dublin’s North Quays. Ormond Quay was the first quay constructed on the north side of the River Liffey in the late-17th century. The western end was up until c.1675 an estuary for the River Bradogue or Pill and was reclaimed by Sir Humphrey Jervis, of the Jervis Estate for development. Influenced by the Duke of Ormond, a formal quayside promenade was provided by preventing warehouses and gardens from abutting the riverfront.
A deed of 6th March 1733 indicates that the house already on site of the present structure (which was likely a Dutch Billy) was leased from the Right Hon Edward Lord Viscount Mountcashel to William Hale for a sum of £2.10 half-yearly, together with the house, backside and stable. This configuration appears in John Rocque’s map of 1756 (left). It is believed that the subject building and its neighbour to the west were built as a pair.
Valuations records and the surviving fabric indicate that the building was heavily re-built in the mid-19th century. A warehouse was introduced at the ground floor with proprietor’s living quarters at the upper floors. Over the subsequent decades the building functioned as both a house and a shop and various internal alterations supported these purposes, including the introduction of full-width, multi-pane shop windows at the ground floor, as well as the removal of a chimney breast. In the mid-20th century, the building was separated at second floor level and the upper floors were incorporated to the property to the west. The Protected Structure was recently purchased by a new owner, and we are about to embark upon a series of repairs and improvements, including revised services, window sash repairs, structural and roof repairs, and a series of refurbishments to the surviving 19th century joinery and floorboards. The property’s use will remain the same, with private accommodation as well as commercial premises.
My role includes conservation consultancy, archival research, planning advisory services, provision of specifications, tender package compilation, and PSDP services.
Watch this space for updates as the project progresses!
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