LONDON-British Land and Irish Life are to redevelop the ILAC Shopping Centre in Dublin at a cost of euro 50 million ($64 million). The redevelopment plans for the 22,750-sm center, drawn up by specialist retail architects Benoy, includes the refurbishment of 3,700 sm of existing space currently used by Dunnes Stores in Moore Mall. British Land and Irish Land will take back this unit under a swap arrangement with the retailer. As part of this agreement Dunnes Stores will extend its Henry Street store into ILAC Centre at Moore Mall and Central Square. As a result, the new Dunnes Stores unit, which will straddle Sampsons Lane, will occupy four levels.

The former Dunnes unit will be redeveloped by the ILAC owners into a number of large units of a size that are designed to attract premium tenants and anchor Moore Mall as a stronger retail destination to increase customer traffic to the center. The first phase of the redevelopment will see H&M's City Centre flagship store open in Autumn 2005 occupying 1,300 sm on two levels in the former Easons outlet on Mary's Mall/Mary Street.

The redevelopment will see the replacement of all entrances and facades to give an enhanced street presence including new graphics and signage, according to a spokesman for the group. It will also improve the configuration of Central Square and Lift Square with a new ventilation strategy and the addition of food offers and new customer facilities to the center.

The plans for the ILAC Centre will also tie in with the overall Integrated Area Plan for O'Connell Street and the anticipated regeneration of Moore Street.