Just eight minutes walk from O'Connell Street, the vast chq building started life in 1820 as a bonded warehouse for wines and tobacco. Then in 1856, it became renowned for another reason, when the Crimean War banquet was served in the building, for the 3,000 Irish soldiers returning from the Crimean War.

For many years, the building lay derelict and controversy surrounded plans for its redevelopment, but its restoration has now been completed by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. It will be the stylish centrepiece of the International Financial Services Centre.

Accordingly, a raft of retailers who are pitching their wares at an affluent audience have become the first to move into chq. They include Meadows & Byrne, which has recently opened a 1,300-sq m store for home furnishings, gifts and accessories.

Others include Bunnies by the Bay, an American luxury baby and gift boutique; Carphone Warehouse; Environment Furniture; Fran & Jane; Henry Jermyn Shirts, House of Tea and LouisCopeland, the tailors.

Bannon Commercial is marketing the units.

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