Grafter Offices, the flexible workspace provider established by Press Up founders Patrick McKillen and Matthew Ryan, is set to open its fourth Dublin location at the former site of Topshop and Habitat on St Stephen's Green.
The company will move into the 27,000 sq ft Smyth House at 6-7 St Stephen's Green, adding to its locations at Leeson House, Ely House and Tom's House in Dublin and Bedford House in London.
“We are very excited to add Smyth House to our growing portfolio of properties in Dublin and London. It is such a historic building and we’re extremely proud to have been in a position to refurbish it to such an exceptional standard and breathe new life into this prime location," said Emma Kennedy, CEO of Grafter.
"We are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind retail element to the market. This unique retail space will be a collective to be enjoyed by passersby and members alike – whether they’re looking to enjoy a cup of barista coffee with friends or colleagues, or are searching for that ideal piece to treat themselves or a friend after a business win.
"It’s a joy to be creating a portfolio of outstanding, design-led workspaces in vibrant locations that provide everything our members need for a productive, fulfilling and enjoyable day. We have chosen our buildings for their second-to-none locations and mature, period architecture, while inside, you’ll now find a totally transformed and refurbished space, with every amenity for the modern workday.
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"We are also actively looking for new houses in Dublin, around Ireland and across London and I’m really looking forward to seeing Grafter grow over the next few months and years.”
Approximately 13,000 sq ft of the floor space will be used for a communal breakout and lounge space, high-spec meeting rooms, phone booths, private phone pods, and kitchenettes, in addition to hot desks and shared workspaces.
Grafter said the offices and meeting rooms would have high-speed fibre broadband and video conferencing services, Bluetooth-controlled sit/stand desks and ergonomic chairs.
Other technology installed at Smyth House will include Cat 6 cabling, acoustic panelling and sound dampening, dedicated air conditioning for each private office, and a dedicated communications room on each floor.
The building also has 40 bike parking spaces as well as shower facilities with towel services and toiletries, and members will have round-the-clock access 365 days per year, supported by an onsite reception and concierge team.
Perfect Stripe Ltd, trading as Grafter Offices, was established last year and is ultimately owned, like Press Up, by Keillan Ltd, which is registered in the Isle of Man. Kennedy, McKillen and Ryan are listed as directors of the company.
The latest accounts for Orsen Ltd, of which Press Up is a subsidiary, show the company made an operating profit in excess of €3m for the period of January 2019 to May 2020, with turnover of €99.6m and assets of €63m.
Orsen said that it was a net current liability position of close to €3m as the country was entering into an extended period of Covid lockdowns and public health restrictions, having negotiated a waiver with its bank on all repayments and secured additional shareholder support.
Orsen employed some 1,361 people as of May 2020, including 1,200 bar, restaurant and hotel staff, and 159 in management, administration and support, with staff costs totalling €43.8m for the 17-month period.
Press Up operates venues such as the Workman's Club, restaurant chains including Elephant & Castle and Captain America's, hotels such as the Dean, the Devlin, and the Clarence in Dublin, and it is also involved in the Clerys Quarter and Bray Central developments.
Photo: Smyth House. (Pic: Grafter Offices)
