A newly extended, heritage building is now providing office accommodation in the heart of Dublin for c. 900 AIB Capital Markets and Goodbody colleagues.
The centrepiece of the new office is the restored 1964 building at 11-12 Dawson Street, formerly home to New Ireland Assurance, the first Irish-owned life insurance company in the country. Founded in 1918, New Ireland Assurance sought to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural resources of the Irish people by preventing insurance premiums leaving the country and reinvesting those funds to create further industry in Ireland.
The building’s impressive entrance features a bronze-finished double door with Celtic engravings symbolising the four provinces of Ireland. The now handsomely-restored interiors were constructed using mainly Irish materials including protected green Connemara and black Kilkenny marble. Striking stained glass windows by Abbey Stained Glass Studios bridge the floors, providing focal points between levels. These include a window featuring Cú Chúlainn, the leader in the war of Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) which according to legend, was waged around the beginning of the Christian era.
The new AIB Capital Markets and Goodbody offices, which are an amalgamation of three different buildings dating from the 1930s, 1960s and 1970s, have been restored, extended, and upgraded to a BER B2 energy efficiency rating. Combined they offer approximately 5,600 square metres over six floors, with the sixth floor offering a panoramic view across the Dublin skyline. Goodbody, which celebrates 150 years in business this year, occupies three of the six floors.
AIB Capital Markets, which has a balance sheet of over €20 billion and annual revenues of over €1 billion, provides institutional, corporate, and business banking services to AIB Group’s larger customers and customers requiring specific sector or product expertise. Goodbody offers further capabilities in wealth management, corporate finance, asset management and wider capital market offerings.
AIB Chief Executive Officer Colin Hunt said: “We are very proud to act as custodian of this magnificently restored building with such a wonderful historical and architectural pedigree in the heart of Dublin city and to make it once again a home for Irish enterprise. We are also very pleased to welcome our Goodbody colleagues and to acknowledge the significant contribution Goodbody has made to the country’s development for over 150 years. From these buildings, we are together providing the capital to support our 3.3 million customers with financial services that empower them to build a sustainable future for themselves, their communities and the wider Irish economy. In line with our ambition to reduce our carbon emissions, we are also delighted that this heritage building has achieved a strong energy efficiency rating helping us become ever greener in the future while preserving the best of our country’s past.’’
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD stated: “I am delighted to be present to officially mark AIB Capital Markets and Goodbody moving to their new location at the heart of Dublin city centre. The restored building is an excellent example of the blending of the historic with the new.
“As I have said on many occasions, Irish companies need capital and investment expertise to allow them to expand their businesses. I wish AIB Capital Markets and Goodbody continued success in serving the needs of their clients and their ongoing role in supporting the Irish economy.
“In addition, I have no doubt that AIB’s success in achieving such a desirable energy rating and all the associated benefits this brings will serve as an inspiration to many other businesses as they assess their future office needs.”
Following AIB Group’s acquisition of Goodbody in 2021, the bank simplified its combined office footprint and provided a more collaborative workplace. Goodbody is now well integrated in the AIB Group as 400 Goodbody colleagues moved into the restored offices in Dawson Street alongside their 500 AIB Capital Markets colleagues in recent weeks. The renovated building is just a short walk away from AIB Group’s Head Office on Molesworth Street.
