U2 Tower

U2 Tower
Proposed U2 Tower design
General information
Status	Proposed
Type	Apartments
Location	Dublin, Ireland
Coordinates	53°20′42″N 6°13′57″W / 53.34492°N 6.23240°W / 53.34492; -6.23240Coordinates: 53°20′42″N 6°13′57″W / 53.34492°N 6.23240°W / 53.34492; -6.23240
Cost	€200 million (planned)
Height
Roof	130 m (427 ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Foster and Partners
Developer	Geranger (proposed)
Structural engineer	Arup

The U2 Tower was a proposed landmark skyscraper to be constructed in Dublin. The site chosen was in the South Docklands (SODO) campshires, at the corner of Sir John Rogerson's Quay and Britain Quay, by the confluence of the River Liffey, the River Dodder, and the Grand Canal. The design announced on 12 October 2007 was by Foster and Partners. Its height had been reported at 120 metres, "well over 120 metres", and 180 metres, any of which would have made it the tallest building on the island of Ireland. The building was planned to be an apartment building, with a recording studio owned by the rock group U2 in a "pod" at the top. Construction was to begin in 2008 and end in 2011, at a cost of €200m. In October 2008, the project was suspended indefinitely because of the economic downturn. Proposals to revive the plan were reported in July 2013.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) was established in 1997 to regenerate the brownfield sites and underused warehouses in the Docklands at the mouth of the River Liffey in Dublin. In 2000, the DDDA proposed a landmark tower for the Britain Quay site. The involvement of U2 was part of a deal in 2001 when the DDDA had acquired by compulsory purchase the site of U2's previous studio on Hanover Quay. In October 2002, the DDDA announced an architectural design competition for the tower, initially to be 60 metres tall, which would house apartments and a penthouse recording studio for U2. 530 entries were received from around the world by the closing date in February 2003. The judging panel was not revealed till after the winner was announced. It included the president of the Royal Hibernian Academy, the chairman and two other members of the DDDA, Dublin's City Architect, and Adam Clayton of U2.