PROJECT 18ORMOND

Number 18 Ormond Quay encapsulates the essence of Dublin’s historic street buildings.

Easily overlooked and too commonly underused, these handsome merchant premises populate almost every street in central Dublin, originally designed as places to live and spaces to work. It is our intention to reinstate these original functions through PROJECT 18ORMOND, establishing a model for creative reuse and urban conservation that can be applied across the city.

During 2017-2019, Dublin Civic Trust has undertaken a wholesale refurbishment of the exterior of 18 Ormond Quay Upper, as well as initial refurbishment of the interiors which continues. The next phase involves the condolidation and conservation of the rear building at 68 Arran Street East. Through regular access opportunities, courses and seminars on building materials and conservation techniques – along with online charting of the entire process - you can follow the projects in detail and learn from the works.   

Section through Number 18, with 1843 building to the left and 1760s building to the right

Section through Number 18, with 1843 building to the left and 1760s building to the right

Our Vision

Our vision was to restore a residential home to the upper floors of Number 18 with an active separate shop on the ground floor. The complex 18th-century rear portion of the building has required an alternative approach to both work with and retain the essence of its largely commercial character - works that are now under planning in 2023. 

PROJECT 18ORMOND has been divided into three phases:

PHASE 1: Structural consolidation and exterior refurbishment of Number 18.

PHASE 2: Internal conservation and refurbishment of interiors to Number 18.

PHASE 3: Interior and exterior conservation and refurbishment of 18th-century rear building at 68 Arran Street East as the home of Dublin Civic Trust. 

 

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Structural consolidation & exterior transformation

The initial investment phase at Number 18 during 2017-2020 involved major structural consolidation and exterior repair of the river-facing building, returning it to its original 1843 appearance.

This included:

- Extensive structural engineering to consolidate the bowing side wall to Arran Street East

- Removal of pebbledash to facades, and repair and repointing of brickwork.

- Structural stabilisation of historic shopfront, repair of granite masonry, and reinstatement of original configuration with central entrance door and Georgian-type windows with cast-iron grilles.

- Upper floor windows returned to their original Georgian grid configuration using precise historic dimensions.

- Comprehensive conservation of traditional interiors for residential use, including plasterwork, joinery, floors and ceilings, as well as installation of mechanical and electrical services.

You can find out more about the works undertaken so far by following our regular Building Updates as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

Preparations are now underway in 2023 to address the more complex 18th-century building to the rear on Arran Street East. This will involve careful investigative opening-up works to help determine the structural condition of the building and its original commercial layout and design.

18 Ormond Quay Upper transformed following expert conservation

Late Georgian staircase straddling front and rear buildings
Late Georgian staircase straddling front and rear buildings
Second floor rear room with 1840s shutterbox, plasterwork and chimneypiece
Second floor rear room with 1840s shutterbox, plasterwork and chimneypiece
Second floor front room overlooking the river Liffey. Missing original features such as window shutterboxes and decorative plasterwork will be reinstated.
Second floor front room overlooking the river Liffey. Missing original features such as window shutterboxes and decorative plasterwork will be reinstated.
Top floor front room with coombed ceiling, overlooking the river Liffey
Top floor front room with coombed ceiling, overlooking the river Liffey
Worn floorboards on second floor landing
Worn floorboards on second floor landing
Rotted bonding timbers to side wall of Arran Street East, to be repaired
Rotted bonding timbers to side wall of Arran Street East, to be repaired
Sash window repair works to second floor
Sash window repair works to second floor
Typical 1840s sash window with concave 'horns' and lambstongue glazing bars under repair
Typical 1840s sash window with concave 'horns' and lambstongue glazing bars under repair
New glazing bars carefully spliced back into original 1840s frame
New glazing bars carefully spliced back into original 1840s frame
Imposing Edwardian overdoor to shop, installed by grocer Edward Corcoran in 1902
Imposing Edwardian overdoor to shop, installed by grocer Edward Corcoran in 1902
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  1. Late Georgian staircase straddling front and rear buildings Late Georgian staircase straddling front and rear buildings
  2. Second floor rear room with 1840s shutterbox, plasterwork and chimneypiece Second floor rear room with 1840s shutterbox, plasterwork and chimneypiece
  3. Second floor front room overlooking the river Liffey. Missing original features such as window shutterboxes and decorative plasterwork will be reinstated. Second floor front room overlooking the river Liffey. Missing original features such as window shutterboxes and decorative plasterwork will be reinstated.
  4. Top floor front room with coombed ceiling, overlooking the river Liffey Top floor front room with coombed ceiling, overlooking the river Liffey
  5. Worn floorboards on second floor landing Worn floorboards on second floor landing
  6. Rotted bonding timbers to side wall of Arran Street East, to be repaired Rotted bonding timbers to side wall of Arran Street East, to be repaired
  7. Sash window repair works to second floor Sash window repair works to second floor
  8. Typical 1840s sash window with concave 'horns' and lambstongue glazing bars under repair Typical 1840s sash window with concave 'horns' and lambstongue glazing bars under repair
  9. New glazing bars carefully spliced back into original 1840s frame New glazing bars carefully spliced back into original 1840s frame
  10. Imposing Edwardian overdoor to shop, installed by grocer Edward Corcoran in 1902 Imposing Edwardian overdoor to shop, installed by grocer Edward Corcoran in 1902
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