Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

The site originally housed various buildings and structures of the Dublin Gasworks Company which were demolished in 1985 and decontaminated by the DDDA in the late 1990s and early 2000s at a cost of over €50M. ==Development (2004–2010)==

designed Bord Gáis Energy Theatre pictured from the Martha Schwartz designed Grand Canal Square plaza Grand Canal Theatre (13,765 ext. / 10,882 int. square metres, 2,111 seats) and the only Irish theatre with a stage capable of hosting major London West-End shows. of Chartered Land (Castlethorn), on a site, Therefore, as well as the Grand Canal Theatre, O'Reilly built the south office block (2 Grand Canal Square at ), and north office blocks (4 & 5 Grand Canal Square at ), as well as a 222-space car-park (underneath the Grand Canal Square plaza). Polish-American starchitect Daniel Libeskind designed the theatre for the DDDA in 2004 (who were regenerating the area). Studio Liebskind also designed the office blocks on either side of the theatre (2, 4 & 5 Grand Canal Square) to ensure O'Reilly's scheme was integrated. Construction started on the theatre in January 2007 and finished in late 2009. The main contractor was John Sisk & Sons and Arup were the main engineers. at , completed in 2007), a 5-star Hotel (the Manuel Aires Mateus designed, Marker Hotel, completed in 2012 but to a lower specification) and a Martha Schwartz designed central piazza (on a "red carpet" theme, integrating with the Liebskind theatre, completed in 2008). ==Ownership (2010 onwards)==

at the opening night of the theatre on 18 March 2010 As construction began in January 2007, the DDDA reportedly proposed the Grand Canal Theatre to the State (Department of Arts and Culture) or the Abbey Theatre, or as a new venue for National Concert Hall, but neither were able to meet the cost of fit-out (), or handle the scale of the venue. The theatre was purchased by Dublin Docklands-based businessman Harry Crosbie (co-owner of Point Theatre, now 3Arena, amongst other docklands properties) for €10m in July 2007 from Joe O'Reilly. Crosbie borrowed the purchase price, plus another €3.8M for the fit-out, from Allied Irish Banks ("AIB"). Crosbie then leased the management contract for the Grand Canal Theatre to Live Nation (who were also co-owners, and managers, of the 3Arena). Crosbie officially opened the Grand Canal Theatre with a performance of Swan Lake by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia on 18 March 2010. The Grand Canal Theatre was formally renamed the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on 7 March 2012 as part of a 6.5-year naming rights deal with Bord Gáis Energy worth a reported €4.5 million (or €700k per year). The naming-rights deal was renewed in 2018, until the end of 2026. The theatre was put into receivership by the NAMA in April 2013. Crosbie's AIB theatre loans had been transferred to NAMA, however, Crosbie had larger loans with NAMA on various docklands projects (e.g. Point Village). Grant Thornton took control of the theatre for NAMA, however Live Nation continued to manage the venue and support the sales process with CBRE. LiveNation remain as venue managers (not clear if this is Harry Crosbie's original lease or a new management agreement with Bernie and John Gallagher). ==Operational performance==

Filed accounts (including 2014 CBRE sales materials), indicate that the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: • sells circa half a million tickets per year; • hosts circa 330 events per year (including afternoon and evening shows), close to busiest UK theatres of 350 per year; • 70% of events are described as West-End musicals, and 20% are described as West-End theatre; • makes circa €8m in revenues per year (tickets, food and beverage, venue hire and naming rights) • makes circa €1.5m in EBITDA, and circa €1m in pre-tax profit (there is some ambiguity over the definition of EBITDA and pre-tax profit). ==Events==

Productions As per above, the Bord Gáis Energy theatre imply that circa 90% of the events are West-End musicals and West-End theatre shows. The following West End shows have been shown in the theatre: • In 2022, it hosted Carmen starring Paula Murrihy. Performers • Samantha Mumba • The Beach Boys • Robert Plant • Josh Groban • Tony Bennett • Gavin James • Incubus • Leo Sayer • Marti Pellow • Suede • David Gray • Josh Ritter • Maroon 5 • Jedward • Tori Amos • Alexandra Burke • Norah Jones • Kraftwerk • Damien Rice • Opeth • Conor Oberst • The Waterboys • Janet Jackson • Why Don't We • Rebecca Storm • Idina Menzel ==See also==