Winner of the “Large Structural” award at the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) Engineering Excellence Awards in 2025, this major inner city redevelopment project in Smithfield, Dublin 7, involved transforming a large site that once served as the headquarters for Irish Distillers, which relocated to Ballsbridge in 2009.

This significant urban initiative saw the construction of a new commercial building that varies in height from four to seven stories above a double basement level. It boasts a total Gross Floor Area of 20,512 square meters. The ground level features spaces dedicated to retail, restaurants, and bars, while the building includes three accessible roof terraces on the fifth floor, and an additional three on the sixth floor.

The redevelopment required the demolition of existing structures, but parts of the original stone walls were integrated into the new design. A double-level basement was constructed next to the Luas Station at Smithfield, extending over the entire site footprint. The building is made from reinforced concrete, with post-tensioned concrete slabs extending from the first floor to the roof. The Distiller’s Building achieved LEED Gold status, reflecting the team’s commitment to sustainability.

PUNCH played a key role in delivering the civil and structural engineering package, using Revit for full coordination through BIM. The project received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in December 2016. Detailed design work began in May 2018, and construction commenced on-site in June 2019. Despite facing interruptions due to two COVID-19 lockdowns, the project was completed in late 2022.