New Trinity plan for Pearse St
Trinity College Dublin is in discussions with city planners on a number of schemes to create new access and improve the college’s physical relationship with Pearse Street. Under the latest proposals, the college, which in recent years was refused planning permission to demolish numbers 183 to 187 Pearse Street to facilitate the creation of a new “north gate”, is seeking permission to redevelop the adjacent former sports hall, Luce Hall.
This application envisages a 4,400 sq m student centre in Luce Hall with a new extension opening on to Pearse Street, east of number 183. It is to provide for a student centre incorporating social and recreational areas, a health centre, cafés and the possible relocation of the current day nursery.
The student centre could also host gigs, access to which would be through the new extension on to Pearse Street.
Trinity College said the proposal, which is the subject of a request for more information from city planners, is complementary to the college’s longer-term aim of improving its access and presence on Pearse Street. Ten years ago, Trinity held an international design competition to develop a scheme for numbers 183 to 205, roughly from the railway bridge at Moss Street in a westerly direction almost as far as Tara Street, and outline permission was granted for the new north gate entrance.
The plans also envisaged changes to the physical appearance of the terrace of houses on Pearse Street, many of which feature bricks in place of the original windows. Under the scheme, the ground floors would be reopened as offices and some retail activity which would encourage interaction with pedestrians on the street.
