Dublin City Council Completes €581m Purchase of Camden Yard Site

Dublin City Council has completed the purchase of the former Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) site on Kevin Street for more than €580 million to facilitate the construction of a new local authority headquarters and an apartment complex.

The acquisition of the site, also referred to as Camden Yard, is part of a strategic plan to relocate the council from its current base at Wood Quay. The council aims to complete the 14-storey development and vacate the Wood Quay offices by 2030.

Financial Structure and Funding

The council has stated that overall development costs for the Kevin Street project will be €581 million. According to the council’s 2026-2028 capital programme, presented to councillors on April 13, 2026, a budget provision of €104 million has been allocated for site acquisition and associated professional fees for the site, which currently consists of a derelict, partially-built office block.

To offset these costs, the council plans to implement several financial measures:

• Scrapping the previously planned refurbishment of the Wood Quay buildings.
• Generating income by subletting up to 30 per cent of the new office spaces at the Kevin Street development.
• Realizing long-term housing gains at both the Kevin Street and Wood Quay locations.

While the council cites a €581 million cost, other reports indicate different projections. According to reporting from Dublin Live, some initial reports suggested the acquisition cost alone exceeded €90 million, with the total cost of the entire development projected to be upwards of €670 million.

Housing and Urban Redevelopment

The relocation is expected to unlock significant housing potential in Dublin 8. The purchase of the Camden Yard site is projected to enable the creation of up to 300 public homes.

the council plans to replace the current Sam Stephenson-designed offices at Wood Quay with more than 530 apartments. These units will be used primarily for cost-rental housing. The transition is expected to provide an additional 500 public homes at the Wood Quay site.

Political Opposition and Transparency Concerns

The transaction has faced scrutiny from local representatives. Sinn Fein Group Leader Cllr Daithi Doolan has called for full transparency regarding the funding, costs, and options associated with the proposal.

Management informs us that there is no money for maintenance, but now the same management has found over €581m to move offices. This is very frustrating for people living in Dickensian conditions.

Cllr Daithi Doolan

Cllr Doolan highlighted concerns regarding the living conditions of council tenants, citing issues such as dampness, mould, and broken toilets, arguing that the expenditure on new offices contrasts with the lack of maintenance for existing housing.

In response to these calls for transparency, documentation regarding the Camden Yard site purchase will be made available for Dublin City Councillors to review.