Serviced offices
Number 12 is the most impressive building on the north side of Merrion Square and the jewel in the crown of the Georgian Collection. Visitors to our fully furnished offices are met by a stunning entrance hall with its high ceilings, crystal chandelier and intricate plasterwork. It is also the home of our beautifully appointed Boardroom, available for hosting business functions and meeting clients.
Step out of the front door and you are in the heart of Georgian Dublin in all its grandeur. Opposite is the gorgeous Merrion Square Park, a beautiful amenity for both staff and clients. With a prestigious address and splendid surroundings, this is the perfect environment for impressing clients and forging business connections.
- Building insurance
- Heating
- Cleaning of common areas
- Cleaning of bathrooms
- Window cleaning
- Waste collection
- Repairs & maintenance
- Building security
- Fire safety
- Dublin City Council water charges
A whole range of additional services can be added to suit your requirements, from refreshments to car washing and dry cleaning.
Location
12 Merrion Square is ideally situated on one of the most sought-after squares of the prestigious Dublin 2 district in the heart of the Central Business and within walking distance of the financial services centre at the docklands and retail centres at Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green. Nearby hotels include the Merrion and the 5-star Shelbourne. Other notable institutions nearby include Trinity College Dublin, the seat of national government at Leinster House and the National Gallery. The square has frequent bus services, and is 10 minutes’ walk from Pearse Street train station.
12 Merrion Square
12 Merrion Square
When the Earl of Kildare decided to build his townhouse (Leinster House) on Kildare Street, it began a wave of development in the Dublin 2 area, including on the estate owned by the 6th Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion. Part of this estate became Merrion Square. Many famous characters have lived on the square including politician Daniel O’Connell, writer Oscar Wilde and the poet W B Yeats.
12 Merrion Square was built between 1764 and 1766 for Sir William Brownlow, a linen manufacturer and MP for Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The stone carving was done by John Morgan, who later worked on the Royal Exchange and the Blue Coat Hospital. Payments were also made to Philip Giliard for carpentry, and a Mr Wall and Mr Clement for bricklaying. Turner and Lilly of London provided 721 feet of window glass. From the laying of the foundations in April 1764 to 1765, three thousand two hundred pounds and eighteen shillings was spent on building the house.
Sir William married Catherine Hall in 1765 and they took up residence at 12 Merrion Square in 1766 after spending time travelling in France. Perhaps it was his fondness of France which led Sir William to commission James Byrne to produce the distinctive Rococo plasterwork which embellishes the interior. Byrne was paid four hundred and forty six pounds to produce the plasterwork and Brownlow was so pleased that he awarded him a further seven pounds.
Many of the original architectural features have been preserved and celebrated. For example the single bay entrance lobby is exceptionally broad and tall and it is the only known hall in a terraced house in Dublin to have an Ionic pilaster order. The stair hall is lit by a splendid round-headed window. The glazing has been altered over time but its carved frame with remarkably high-relief soffit decoration has been retained. The walls have large rectilinear panels with large birds perched on acanthus scrolls, floral festoons and pendants.
The splendour of Sir William’s new house reflected his status in Dublin society, befitting his advancing political career. In 1776 a short time before the house was completed he was sworn into the Privy Council.
However, despite the grandeur afforded by his title, Sir William’s will displays a sobriety and restraint quite at odds with opulent interior of his Dublin house. He requested that he be “decently buried privately and without any ostentation or superfluous expanse either in the parish where I shall die or in such other convenient place as my executors shall appoint, it being to me a matter of the utmost indifference”.