The site at Lucan Bridge is part of the old Hills Mills. It incorporates a listed
redbrick building which was a display room for the old Mill and is accessed directly off
the bridge. The bridge itself is a listed structure and is the oldest single span bridge
crossing the river liffey. It replaced two previous structures which were washed away by
the river.
With such a sensitive site we had to be careful with the interaction between the new scheme and the existing structures. A specialised firm of
architects, MBK Associates from Galway who had a lot of experience with sensitive sites, were appointed to deal with the project and they
together with Landscape Architects Cunnane Stratton Reynolds designed the scheme.
The initial approach was to re-focus the buildings towards the river as the old buildings turned their backs to it. We created a contrast between
the old and the new rather than trying to copy the existing form and left any old existing structures untouched. The contrast between old and
new highlights the features of the old structures and together with the sensitive restoration of the old buildings helps preserve this important
piece of our local heritage.
The scheme incorporates a new restaurant, coffee shop and craft store which will look out over the river and Lucan Bridge and enjoy the benefits
of a southerly aspect. We also have some specialised retail outlets and dramatic office space overlooking the Weir at Lucan village and a new
internal garden area. The site is in the heart of Lucan village and has extensive parking facilities which are rare in any village. Opportunities
exist for businesses wishing to locate or expand in the area.
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