The Echlin Building
Situated on Echlin Street in Dublin 8, the Echlin Building stands somewhat as an unassuming monument to Dublin’s architectural and social history. Though relatively plan and industrial to look at this building sparks some curiously you may feel you haven’t quite seen anything similar to it before and this draws you in but the story behind its constructing is as interring as the buildings itself.
Constructed in 1878, this building was one of the earliest purpose-built flats by the Dublin Artisans’ Dwellings Company (DADC), an organization dedicated to improving housing conditions for the city’s working-class population. The DADC was established in 1876 to address the dire need for affordable housing in Dublin which sounds all too familiar today, the scheme was particularly aimed at those employed in artisan trades and other labour-intensive occupations.
The company’s founders, including prominent Protestant and Quaker businessmen like the Guinness family, sought to create better living conditions for workers while still turning a modest profit for investors. Initially the DADC’s focus was on constructing multi-story flats, such as the Echlin Building. However these flats did not gain the expected popularity among Dubliners, who were reluctant to move from overcrowded slums to other multi-tenanted buildings, despite the improved conditions. Consequently, the DADC shifted its focus to constructing single-storey cottages (the likes of stoneybater and the Harold’s Cross Cottages) and two-storey houses (around Portobello), which were more appealing to potential tenants.
The Echlin Building, designed by the architect Thomas Newnham Deane, originally included 30 flats spread across four floors. Each flat was equipped with a kitchen, sitting room, and two bedrooms, providing significantly better living conditions compared to the cramped and unsanitary tenements prevalent in Dublin at the time. The building was constructed with minimal ornamentation, focusing on functionality to keep costs down. Despite the better conditions, initial occupancy rates were low due to the relatively high rents, which were beyond the reach of many casual labourers. This led to fluctuating rental incomes and vacancies in the early years of the building’s operation. Nevertheless, for those who could afford them, the flats represented a substantial improvement in living standards
The Echlin Building’s construction marked a significant step forward in Dublin’s housing development, demonstrating the potential for improved living conditions through well-planned residential projects. It also highlighted the complexities of addressing housing needs, balancing affordability, and tenant preferences. The building remains a monument to the philanthropic yet commercially-minded approach of the DADC, which ultimately paved the way for more comprehensive housing solutions in Dublin.
Hashtags: #EchlinStreet 
