Ilac Centre

Ilac Centre is a shopping centre in central Dublin, positioned north of the River Liffey with entrances on Henry Street, Parnell Street and Moore Street. It is one of the earliest large-scale shopping centres developed in Dublin city centre and remains a prominent retail destination in the capital. The centre contains more than 80 shops and is anchored by Dunnes Stores, TK Maxx and Normal. Its tenant mix serves both everyday shopping and value-oriented discretionary retail, while its central location connects it with Dublin's established Henry Street and Moore Street retail districts. The centre was developed on a substantially redeveloped urban site that had previously contained a dense network of streets, laneways, markets and small businesses. The construction project resulted in the removal of Riddle's Row, Cole's Lane and Little Denmark Street, together with four markets: Norfolk Market, Rotunda Market, Taaffe's Market and Anglesea Market. More than 100 buildings were demolished to make way for the planned development. The transformation was controversial because existing Moore Street traders were not consulted about the proposed centre and the associated changes to the neighbourhood. The redevelopment also affected an area containing surviving buildings associated with the Easter Rising of 1916. The original public-sector development concept was considerably larger than the scheme ultimately built. Dublin Corporation acquired the site through compulsory purchase and initially envisaged approximately 400,000 square feet of retail space, 300,000 square feet of offices in two 14-storey blocks, a theatre, two cinemas, restaurants and bars. The eventual project was reduced to approximately 200,000 square feet in total after the site remained derelict for four years. Dublin Corporation awarded the development contract to Irish Life, construction began in late 1978, and the centre opened in 1981. The name Ilac was derived from the initials of Irish Life Assurance Company, the name used by Irish Life at the time. The centre was designed by David Keane & Partners in 1977 and was noted at opening for having Ireland's first glass lifts, although those lifts have since been closed. A refurbishment completed in 2006 raised ceilings and improved shopfronts, updating the physical environment while retaining the centre's core urban shopping-centre structure. The first floor also accommodates Dublin's Central Library, which includes language-learning facilities, a Music Library and a Business Library, giving the complex a civic and cultural role beyond retail. Ilac Centre has also contained a small chapel. The chapel closed in 2019 following a disagreement between centre management and the Dublin Archdiocese concerning responsibility for its operation. Overall, the centre combines large-format retail, smaller shops, public library services and connections to historic city-centre markets. Its history reflects both the modernization of Dublin retailing in the late twentieth century and the social and architectural costs of replacing older urban streets and market spaces with a planned commercial complex.

The Ilac Centre was created as part of a major redevelopment of land in central Dublin, north of the River Liffey. Before construction, the area contained a dense network of laneways, streets, markets and small commercial premises. The redevelopment removed Riddle's Row, Cole's Lane and Little Denmark Street, the latter associated with the early broadcasting history of 2RN. Four markets were also lost: Norfolk Market, Rotunda Market, Taaffe's Market and Anglesea Market, the last of which was known for second-hand clothing. More than 100 buildings were demolished during the process. The project was undertaken by Dublin Corporation after the authority acquired the site through a compulsory purchase order. Existing Moore Street traders were not consulted about the proposed shopping centre and the redevelopment's effects on the surrounding district. The area also included surviving buildings connected with the 1916 Easter Rising, adding historical sensitivity to the changes. The original development concept was ambitious, calling for approximately 400,000 square feet of retail accommodation, 300,000 square feet of offices in two 14-storey blocks, a theatre, two cinemas, restaurants and bars. That plan was reduced substantially after the site remained derelict for four years. Dublin Corporation awarded the development contract to Irish Life. Construction started in late 1978, and the completed centre opened in 1981. The project was designed by David Keane & Partners in 1977. The name Ilac was formed from the initials of Irish Life Assurance Company, the name then associated with Irish Life. Irish Life had also previously operated the Irish Life Mall on Talbot Street. The final complex was approximately 200,000 square feet in total, making it much smaller than the original master plan but still a major intervention in Dublin's central retail environment. At opening, the centre was described architecturally as a large, low cruciform shopping complex. It was notable for introducing Ireland's first glass lifts, although those lifts were later closed. The centre was subsequently refurbished in 2006, with work including the raising of ceilings and improvements to shopfronts. These changes modernized the retail environment while preserving the centre's basic form and urban connections. Ilac Centre's role extends beyond retail. It has more than 80 shops and is anchored by Dunnes Stores, TK Maxx and Normal. Dublin's Central Library occupies the first floor and provides language-learning facilities, a Music Library and a Business Library. A small chapel was also located within the complex, but it closed in 2019 after a disagreement between management and the Dublin Archdiocese concerning responsibility for the facility. The centre is associated with Hammerson and Irish Life Assurance plc as owners. Its development and subsequent operation illustrate the shift toward planned shopping-centre retail in late twentieth-century Dublin, while its site history records the displacement of older streets, markets and independent trading activity. Today, Ilac Centre remains an active central-Dublin shopping destination integrated into the wider Henry Street, Parnell Street and Moore Street retail area.

• 2019

  Chapel closes

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The small chapel in the shopping centre closed following a disagreement between management and the Dublin Archdiocese.

• 2006

  Major refurbishment

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The centre was refurbished with improvements including raised ceilings and upgraded shopfronts.

• 1985

  Central Library opens in the complex

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Dublin's Central Library opened within the centre, adding civic and educational services to the retail complex.

• 1981

  Ilac Centre opens

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The centre opened as one of Dublin's first major city-centre shopping complexes.

• 1978

  Construction begins

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Construction began in late 1978 after Dublin Corporation awarded the development contract to Irish Life.

• 1977

  Centre design completed

  [1]Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org

  David Keane & Partners designed the planned shopping centre as part of the redevelopment of the central Dublin site.

A centrally located, high-footfall Dublin shopping centre combining major value-oriented retail anchors, more than 80 shops and public library facilities.

• Department and grocery retail

  Dunnes Stores

  Dunnes Stores is one of the Ilac Centre's principal anchor tenants. Its presence provides a combination of clothing, household merchandise and grocery shopping, supporting the centre's role as a destination for both everyday needs and discretionary purchases.

• Off-price fashion and home retail

  TK Maxx

  TK Maxx serves as a major fashion and home-goods anchor within Ilac Centre. Its off-price model complements the centre's value-oriented retail offer and attracts shoppers seeking branded clothing, accessories and home products at discounted prices.

• Discount general merchandise

  Normal

  Normal is identified as one of the centre's anchor retailers. The chain's assortment generally centres on personal care, household and everyday consumer products, reinforcing Ilac Centre's accessible and value-focused tenant mix.

• Public library and civic services · 1985

  Dublin's Central Library

  Located on the first floor, Dublin's Central Library gives the shopping centre a public-service function in addition to its commercial role. Facilities include language-learning resources, a Music Library and a Business Library.

• 2006

  Refurbish the shopping centreOther

  Background

  The centre required modernization after more than two decades of operation.

  Action taken

  A refurbishment raised ceilings and improved shopfronts across the centre.

  Aftermath

  The work updated the appearance and retail environment while retaining the centre's existing central-Dublin format.

  Source

• 1978

  Scale back the original redevelopment planStrategy

  Background

  Dublin Corporation's initial proposal envisaged a much larger mixed-use development with extensive retail and office space, entertainment venues, restaurants and bars. The site had remained derelict for four years before construction.

  Action taken

  The project proceeded with a substantially reduced footprint of approximately 200,000 square feet in total, rather than the originally proposed 400,000 square feet of retail space and 300,000 square feet of offices.

  Aftermath

  The reduced scheme became the Ilac Centre, which opened in 1981 as a major but more compact city-centre shopping complex.

  Source

1. 1Ilac Centreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ilac Centre official websiteilac.ie