FAQ on New Building
Model Impressions of 15 Bachelors Walk
When was the new building built, what was it used for and do any original features survive?
We understand that the building was built in the late 1600's, and is a typical small merchant's townhouse, with a small cellar space arranged in two rooms, with a general pattern of two rooms on each ascending floor, with three stories over basement. In that period, living accommodation for servants might have been provided in the cellar area or in the shop spaces, with the principal living areas on the first floor with family rooms on the uppermost floors. It is likely that there was a small garden to the rear, though that no longer forms part of the property. The Dublin city quays were subject to tremendous neglect and dereliction for most of the 20th Century, while the house survived, few if any original features survive, barring some apparently mid 18th century woodworks on the first floor and a 'Wide Street Commissioners' pavement at the front door. In addition to being a merchant's house, the building served as the offices of the Catholic Law and General Life Assurance Company whom the agency for that may have been vested in one 'D. Breen' in the mid 19th Century. More recently it served as an antique dealers showrooms.
Where is it?
15 Bachelors Walk is about three minutes walk west of O'Connell Bridge on Dublin's north quay.
Why is it called Bachelors Walk?
According to www.irisharchitecture.com, the name derives from: "Not as widely suggested named because it was used as a promenade for Bachelors, but instead was named after a property developer who built here after the quays were extended downstream from Ormond Quay in the 1670s. There has been many variants of the name over the years - Batchelours Walke (1728), The Batchelors Walk (1723 and 1728), and Bachelors Quay (1766). Before the extension of what is now O'Connell Street to the river, Bachelor's Walk extended over part of what is now Eden Quay, ending at what was Union Lane, now part of Marlborough Street. In 1914, a detachment of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, returning to barracks, fired on a crowd, killing four and injuring many other. The artist Jack B. Yeats later marked the event with the painting Bachelor's Walk, In Memoriam."
When will the building open to the public and why has it taken this time to open?
CityArts carefully surveyed the Dublin property market for the last number of years, during the bubble of the Irish property market, it was virtually impossible for us to acquire a substantial building in the City Centre without expending huge sums. We purchased this property by private treaty sale after careful consideration and have went through a lengthily pre-planning and planning process on this significant heritage property. We hope to formally open the building in the Autumn/Winter of 2009.
How much will the conservation works cost?
That is difficult to say, but we aim to obtain value for money!
Will the building have disabled access?
Yes, City Arts have always been committed to providing universal access to the arts. We have instructed our architects to make the necessary arrangements for access. It may prove problematic in some areas given the relative size of the house and its age.
What will the building provide?
The building will have a tiered forum space divided between the basement and ground floor, this can serve a variety of uses from performance to meetings to readings depending on the programming for the facility. We will also have a double area on the first floor, traditionally the 'piano nobile' or key rooms in an classical home. This space will serve a mixed usage and will have a facility for catering for functions. The other floors will have a variety of project offices and breakout spaces.
What environmental measures are been taken?
We have conducted a full building conservation report and our work is being conducted in association with the Dublin City Council Architect's Department. Our architects have extensive experience of working with heritage buildings and have an excellent track record in this regard. We are working with our partners presently in Trans Europe Halles and with the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to provide a number of demonstrator environmentally projects in the property based on experience from Scandinavia and Germany.
Will there be admission charges?
That will depend on the event and the programme.
How will CityArts fund the ongoing building?
We have access to limited funds, therefore, we will first aim to ensure that building can be managed as cheaply and sustainable as possible. We will seek assistance from the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and others to assist in programme and venue costs and we will also seek to supplement our income from other sources.
Will there be many staff?
CityArts is proud to run its operation on a limited administration and concentrates its resources on programme in common with many arts organisations, we do not envisage having a large staff at Bachelors Walk.
What role will the local community have?
CityArts is proud of its long tradition and commitment in working with local geographic communities and local groups of interest. We have agreed with Dublin City Council and the community organisations in Dublin's HARP area to provide access in an agreed manner to the building and look forward to working with the several communities in the area.
