Joycean landmark to be converted to offices

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Archiseek / Ireland / News / 2000 / January 17 2000: Joycean landmark to be converted to offices

The derelict Academy Cinema on Pearse Street owned by the largest cinema group in the Republic, Ward Anderson, is to be converted into office use after Dublin Corporation granted planning permission on January 6. The Corporation has also granted the developers permission to demolish the derelict building to the rear of the cinema and build a five-storey office development over basement car parking. The transformation of the building to office use will be of great regret to fans of Ulysses who pass the building every year on Bloomsday. Formerly the Antient Concert Rooms, the building hosted James Joyce when he sang for Nora Barnacle during a guest appearance. It was used by Parnell as a venue for political rallies, and by "the Swedish nightingale" aka the singer Jenny Lind, and Count John McCormack, who both performed in the building.

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