Temple Bar’s Eustace Street returns to its 1980s artistic roots
More than decades after first housing artists, 16 Eustace Street has been refurbished, bringing eight high-quality studios back into active use in Temple Bar.
Dublin City Council has announced the completion of refurbishment works at this 18th-century townhouse in the centre of Temple Bar. Having previously housed artists back in the 1980s, eight high-quality artist studios have now been brought into active use.
This comes following the successful renovation of the neighbouring 11 Eustace Street in 2023, which was contributed to Temple Bar reclaiming its heritage as creativity hub within the cite. Together, these historic buildings represent a significant investment in strengthening Dublin’s cultural infrastructure and supporting the city’s long‑established creative community.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam has welcomed the refurbishment as shining of example of how “celebrating Dublin means celebrating the people who give this city its colour.” He stated that, with these studios now back in use, this acts as opportunity to celebrate Dublin’s edge, stories, and artist.
“Reopening 16 Eustace Street as high-quality studio space is more than the restoration of a beautiful historic building; it’s a statement of intent that creativity belongs in the centre of our capital, not pushed to the margins,” he said
“By bringing eight studios back into active use, alongside the six delivered at 11 Eustace Street. Dublin City Council is investing in the everyday work of making, experimenting and imagining that keeps Dublin culturally alive. I’m proud to see this 18th-century townhouse carefully conserved and returned to the creative community, where it can once again support the next generation of work that will shape Dublin’s identity for years to come."
Originally acquired by Temple Bar Properties during the area’s regeneration in the 1990s, both buildings now fall under the remit of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT) Project Team, part of Dublin City Council’s Culture, Community, Leisure & Area Services Department.
As protected structures, the buildings refurbishment required a careful, conservation led approach by the TBCT Project Team in collaboration with Arthur Gibney & Co. (Architecture) Ltd. With the original staircases, balustrades, and decorative cornices carefully persevered, the studios have also been upgraded to meet the needs of contemporary artist.
Artists already began moving into their new workspaces in early January and are supported through TBCT's partnership with Independent Artist Studios Ltd., who will manage day‑to‑day studio administration.
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