Archer's Garage is an art deco style building on the corner of Sandwith street and Fenian Street in Dublin 2.[1]

Archer's Garage
Rebuilt Archer's Garage in May 2006
Map
General information
StatusFacsimile (office use)
Architectural styleArt Deco
Town or cityDublin, Ireland
Coordinates53°20′30″N 6°14′45″W / 53.34158°N 6.24592°W / 53.34158; -6.24592
Completed1946
Opened
  • Original garage: 1936
  • Demolished: 1999
  • Reinstated: 2001-2004
DemolishedJune 1999
Technical details
Floor count2
Design and construction
Architect(s)Arnold Francis Hendy

Construction edit

It was originally built in 1946 to the design of Billy Baird of Kaye Parry Ross Hendy architects[1] and was constructed for Richard Archer who was the first agent for Ford motorcars in Ireland.[2] It was the first building in Ireland to be built of reinforced concrete and fitted with fluorescent lighting.[3][4][5][6]

Demolition edit

Despite being a listed building it was illegally demolished in 1999 over the June bank holiday long weekend by property developer and hotelier Noel O’Callaghan.[1][3] At the time of demolition it was the only surviving building on the largely derelict corner.[3]

Reconstruction edit

The demolition was controversial and as a result of legal action Dublin City Council forced the developers to build a facsimile of the building on the original site.[1] Although originally scheduled to begin in September 1999, reconstruction commenced in 2001 but was then halted because of legal disputes concerning the garage and adjoining offices. It finally finished in 2004.[3]

Legal impact edit

The demolition resulted in the maximum jail time for the demolition of listed buildings being raised from three to five years.[3] The maximum fine of £1 million did not change.[3]

Noel O’Callaghan forestalled prosecution by signing an agreement with Dublin Corporation to reinstate the building.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "1946 – Archer's Garage, Fenian Street, Dublin". archiseek. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Archers / EWL Building. This building, now demolished, was a former garage". www.oocities.org. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g O'Halloran, Marie (9 August 2004). "Archer's garage rebuilt after razing". Irish Times. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  4. ^ "Replica, Sandwith Street, Dublin 2 | Built Dublin". builtdublin.com. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Archer's Garage, Sandwith Street". Come Here To Me!. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Former Archer's Garage, Sandwith Street & Fenian Street, Dublin". manchesterhistory.net. Retrieved 20 August 2020.