Located in the Liberties area of Dublin’s south inner city, this four-storey over-basement commercial building is home to Little Flower Penny Dinners, a charity that provides daily hot meals and community support to people affected by poverty and ill health. Operating from this site since 1912, the charity has been a trusted presence in the community for over a century, offering support to all who need it, with no questions asked. 

Originally a Victorian commercial and residential terrace, the building has undergone a series of alterations over time to meet the changing needs of the charity. It currently faces significant challenges associated with age, increasing service demands and ongoing maintenance requirements. 

CWBC was commissioned to carry out a condition survey of the building and, from this, to develop a building stewardship strategy to guide its long-term care and improvement. The strategy sets out a ten-year programme of works that prioritises essential measures, including fire safety and health and safety improvements, while providing a framework for planning and budgeting longer-term upgrades such as energy efficiency improvements, roof repairs, rewiring, and heritage-informed shopfront enhancements. The strategy also identifies funding opportunities and grant schemes to support future investment in the building. 

This project represents the first phase of a proactive asset management approach, providing Little Flower Penny Dinners with a clear prioritised roadmap for maintaining, improving and future-proofing its premises while continuing to meet growing demand for its vital services.