South William Street Area Study
Foreword Dublin City Business Association welcomes the
The South William Street area is synonymous with
timely publication of this study of one of Dublin’s
the historic character of Dublin. Rich in architec-
most vibrant districts, issued at a time when the
tural heritage and a mercantile tradition, the area
City Centre is at a crossroads about its future.
has been a hive of urban activity since the 17th
Since the downturn in the economy, it has become
Century, where fashionable town houses and mer-
more important than ever to create and sustain
chant premises sprung up on new streets as the
a high quality city core in order to promote foot-
City moved eastwards from the old medieval core.
fall and ensure that an attractive, international
In turn, this was built upon through the high qual-
standard urban environment acts as a draw for
ity redevelopment of parts of the district in the
continued investment in the City. The South Wil-
late Victorian period for modern commercial use.
liam Street area may be described as ‘having it
This pattern of development is still reflected today
all’ – great local businesses, buzzing street life and
in the tightly knit plots, lanes and alleys, warm
high quality period buildings – but this success-
red brick façades and small indigenous businesses
ful mix is deceptively fragile and must be carefully
that make the area a magnet for the citizen and
managed and planned for the future. DCBA’s aim
visitor to the City. It is imperative that these dis-
in commissioning this report is to set out a vision
tinctive qualities are protected in a manner that
for how the area’s dynamic mix of businesses, the
showcases the innate character of Dublin’s historic
presentation of the public realm, and the careful
building stock while also lending a distinctive and
management of all road users, pedestrians and
unique brand identity to businesses in the area.
off-street car parking, can maximise the potential
Building on Dublin Civic Trust’s first study of South
of the commercial streets in the district, making it
William Street in 1999, this stimulating report sets
an appealing place in which to work, live and con-
out a practical vision for how this can be achieved
duct business. Ultimately, it is these principles that
in the 21st Century, ensuring the consolidation and
should also guide the planning of the wider City
sustainable future of this, the most vibrant quarter
Centre – creating a world-class urban environment
of Dublin City Centre.
that showcases our capital as a great European city.
Geraldine Walsh, CEO, Dublin Civic Trust
Tom Coffey, CEO, Dublin City Business Association