Following a review of prison services, Dublin’s Office of Public Works confirmed the availability of the Mountjoy prison site for redevelopment. Occupying a valuable waterfront site against the Royal Canal to the north of the City Centre and with some attractive buildings dating back to the prison’s 1850 origins, the Mountjoy site has much to commend it.

Following a feasibility review of different options, the new vision is for a mixed use strategy that involves conversion and re-use of the most historically significant buildings and the creation of an attractive network of public spaces. As the development had to be self-financing, detailed economic modelling was carried out iteratively with design development.

The development brief establishes a clear way forward, developed in close conjunction with Council officers, and has served as the basis for developer procurement.