1980 – Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street, Dublin

A large development by Irish Life Assurance Company on the old Brooks Thomas yards consisting of blocks of various heights around courtyards both at street level and raised. All the blocks have copper clad mansard roofs. There is living accommodation as well as a small mall and offices. The main courtyard which is open to Abbey Street at one end features a fountain and sculpture. The upper raised courtyard is an oasis of greenery. Very much a good example of late 1970s thinking on density and inner-city multipurpose usage and living, the site has considerable density but not at the cost of quality of space.