Louth County Council celebrate new 'state-of-the-art' offices

Louth County Council celebrated a new era this Monday as they launched a “state-of-the-art” building.

Today marked a new beginning for Drogheda Civic Offices as they officially launched a state-of-the art refurbished and extended building.

Louth County Council proudly led the redevelopment of Drogheda Civic Offices, a project that consists of the complete refurbishment and creative re-use of two existing unoccupied Protected Structures, the Community Services Building and the former Borough Chamber, within the Architectural Conservation Area of Fair Street. The construction of a modern New Link Building sensitively connects these historic structures together to create a contemporary and exemplary civic office complex.

The front of the building has a significant presence on Fair Street and the contemporary intervention has been designed to respect, reveal and enhance the restored features of the protected structures whilst also providing a new welcoming public entrance, gateway and plaza.

The project encompasses approx. 2,000sqm of development and the new facility will house a number of administrative and community spaces for Louth County Council.

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Cllr. Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, who officially opened the building, said: “These offices are a fantastic facility for the people of Drogheda and the South Louth area and will greatly facilitate expansion of the provision of services and accommodation for council staff, elected representatives. It is an extremely impressive building for visitors, the restored council chamber, exhibition space and public services facilities will breathe life into these buildings and this part of the town. I commend the council and all those involved in preserving this piece of Drogheda’s built heritage.”

Joan Martin, Chief Executive, Louth County Council, said: “It is a very proud day for Louth County Council. The redevelopment and extension to the Drogheda Civic Offices has been a strategic objective of Louth County Council for many years and the official opening is a landmark achievement. We are delighted to see the council chamber so beautifully restored following the damage caused by fire in 2009, and facilities for the public greatly improved with two currently unoccupied buildings sensitively and sustainably brought back to use. The project has captured the unique heritage of the area and will link in with the URDF Westgate Vision Redevelopment works to transform this historic part of Drogheda.”

Externally the feature copper glazed façade, timber sash windows and granite stone paving create an impressive frontage to the community, whilst internally the use of polished concrete, oak timber linings and bespoke joinery for the public seating areas, public services counter and meeting chamber creates a high quality and durable environment.

Louth County Council appointed a multi-disciplinary team from Building Design Partnership, who led the design and delivery of this project, with conservation services provided by Alastair Coey Conservation Architects. The project was constructed on site by Townlink Construction as contractor.