Our Dockland Campus

Central Bank of Ireland Docklands building

The Central Bank’s Dockland Campus consists of our eighth-floor North Wall Quay building and our Mayor Street building, which are joined by a pedestrian bridge at second floor level. More than 1,700 people work in a hybrid manner between both buildings.

Elsewhere in Dublin, the Central Bank’s Currency Centre is located in Sandyford.

The Central Bank was based in the Dame Street Tower from 1979 until 2017. We also had offices in the nearby Commercial Buildings, on College Green and in Iveagh Court, near Harcourt Street.

When the Central Bank needed more accommodation, it examined various options including investment in our existing city centre properties. It was finally decided the most cost effective option was to locate staff to the Dockland district.

Key principles that informed the architecture and design of our Dockland Campus included maximising opportunities for

collaboration and sharing by staff
addressing environmental challenges
achieving very high energy and sustainability goals
reflecting the distinct and civic nature of the organisation.

An accessible building

Our Dockland Campus has been designed to be as open and inclusive as possible, with accessibility at the forefront of the design process. By using universal design principles, the North Wall Quay building has received national and international recognition for its accessibility, including the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Universal Design award 2017, as well as being listed as a case study for good practice in Inclusive Design in 2019.

Our facilities include:

Accessible changing spaces and shower facilities
Ramped access and power-assisted doors at both main entrances
Tactile signage throughout
Hearing enhancement systems in a number of meeting rooms, including the boardroom and the multi-purpose space
Accessible set-down at the south entrance.

A sustainable building

North Wall Quay is the first office building in Ireland to achieve the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Outstanding’ rating at design stage. The building has been shortlisted for a number of awards and won Green Project of the Year at the Irish Construction Industry Awards in 2018.

The building energy rating (BER) is targeted at A2 - one of the first commercial projects in the state to aim for such a rating. This equates to a 72% improvement in energy consumption over previous building regulation baselines. The mesh panels on the building’s façade contribute significantly to the overall energy performance of the building, reducing the impact of solar heat gain on the building and the energy needed for heating and cooling.

Effective use of insulation reduces energy consumption and using energy from renewable sources also reduces environmental impact. The annual energy saving due to the BER A2 rating is 209 tonnes of CO2. Materials used in the fit-out were chosen for their low environmental impact. All timber used in construction and fit-out was Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Low volatile organic compound (VOC) materials were used throughout the building. Internal spaces contain CO2 sensors to monitor and address increased carbon dioxide levels. The building has a dedicated recyclable waste storage area at basement level and recycling stations are provided throughout each floor.

As part of our sustainable approach the Central Bank promoted a ‘Smarter Travel’ programme to staff as part of the move. It encourages staff and visitors to use sustainable methods of transport and to consider the impact travel decisions have on others and on ourselves.

A comprehensive Smarter Travel Action Plan (STAP) was developed to encourage staff to use sustainable transport, line with the Bank’s obligations as a partner of the National Transport Authority’s Smarter Travel Workplaces Programme. Onsite car parking facilities are minimised and more than 300 bike stands are provided. Changing, drying and shower facilities and lockers are provided for cyclists and runners.

Public space artwork

In line with planning requirements, the Central Bank agreed with Dublin City Council to commission an artwork for the public space directly outside the campus on North Wall Quay.

Following submissions through an invited competition, and subsequent procurement process, it was decided to commission a sculpture by the artist Eva Rothschild entitled ‘A Double Rainbow’. Planning permission for this artwork was submitted to Dublin City Council on 2 May 2019.

The artist’s fee will come to €70,000 and design and build costs will come to approx. €250,000. Ms Rothschild previously represented Ireland at the 58th Venice Art Biennale in 2019.

Community Engagement

The Central Bank worked with the North Port Dwellers Association (NPDA) from the start of the project.

Both Central Bank teams and the construction team from Walls engaged with the local community and local schools during construction.

Inside the building

The building provides a modern workplace facilitating open communication, promoting teamwork and interaction at every level.

The heart of the North Wall Quay is the atrium. It features collaboration spaces and its design allows easy access throughout the building and the floors. The building has more than 250 internal meeting rooms and collaboration spaces. Desks are equipped with height-adjustable sit/stand desks while ergonomic chairs ensure back support. Facilities for visitors include twenty-six meeting rooms. There are three multi-purpose rooms which can host large events. Each holds 100 people in ‘theatre’ style and can be combined to one 300 capacity room.