The Office Public Works is seeking planning permission to demolish Hawkins House and Apollo House in Dublin city centre.

The planning applications were lodged with Dublin City Council for the redevelopment of the buildings, which both date from the 1960s.

Hawkins House, which is the headquarters of the Department of Health, is often cited as Dublin’s ugliest building. The OPW plan to replace it with a development of similar height but with 50% more office space.

The proposed development will involve the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a commercial office building which will include the provision of café, retail units and associated services.

The area was identified as an area of significant economic importance to the city, the region and the State in a Dublin City Council local area plan. 

The OPW is claiming the redevelopment will deliver a significant benefit to the city. They cite “the opening up of an impenetrable block” between Tara Street and College Green among the benefits of the development.

Seán Canney, Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW, said: “This development represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new vibrant commercial and government office quarter in the city of Dublin.”