Miesian Plaza


Miesian Plaza is an office building complex on Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. It is designed in the International Style, inspired by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, particularly his Seagram Building. It was described by Dublin City Planners as "one of the most important Modernist buildings in Ireland" and its facade and plaza are protected structures.

History

The complex was built as the Bank of Ireland's headquarters, and it was known by that name for most of its history. Construction was controversial as it entailed the demolition of a block of Georgian homes. The project was said to have used so much copper that the global price of copper was impacted.
The Bank of Ireland sold the property in 2006 at the height of the Celtic Tiger property boom and moved its headquarters from the building in 2010. An extensive redevelopment and expansion was proposed in 2008 but rejected by Dublin City Council due to the impacts on its protected architecture and surrounding area.
The complex was purchased by Larry Goodman in 2012 and extensive renovations were carried out under the original architects Scott Tallon Walker, respecting the complex's iconic design. Following the renovations, the complex was renamed Miesian Plaza, and in 2019 became the first development in Ireland to achieve LEED Platinum v4 certification.

Design

Miesian Plaza includes three buildings of four, five, and eight storeys in height, with a central plaza. The two shorter buildings are adjacent to Lower Baggot Street with the 8-story building behind them, minimizing its towering effect on the street.
The plaza contains the sculptures Reflections by Michael Bulfin and Red Cardinal by John Burke.
prior to its mid-2010s refurbishment.
The complex was added to the Record of Protected Structures in 2010 as Dublin City Council judged it to be "Dublin’s finest example of the restrained and elegant Miesian style". Specifically, the facades and plaza are protected, and were refurbished under the mid-2010s renevations. The facade is identical to that on Mies van der Rohe's Seagram Building.

Tenants

The complex was the Bank of Ireland's headquarters from 1972 to 2010.
Miesian Plaza is the headquarters of pharmaceutical company Shire and of Ireland's departments of Children and Youth Affairs and of Health.