Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

{{short description|Ireland's largest all-seated indoor theatre}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox venue | name = Bord Gáis Energy Theatre | former_names = Grand Canal Theatre {{small|(2010–12)}} | logo_image = 125px | logo_caption = | image = Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin.JPG | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | caption = Exterior venue with former signage (c.2010) | address = Grand Canal Square<br />Dublin 2<br />D02 PA03 Ireland | pushpin_map = Dublin | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Dublin City | location = | coordinates = {{coord|53.34425|N|6.24004|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | acreage = {{convert|0.8|acre|ha|order=flip}} | broke_ground = {{Start date|2007|01|09|df=y}} | opened = {{Start date|2010|03|18|df=y}} | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Crownway Investments | operator = Live Nation Ireland | cost = €80 million | architect = {{hlist|RHWL|Studio Liebskind|McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects - Executive Architects}} | builder = | project_manager = Lafferty | structural_engineer = Arup Group | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = Sisk Group | capacity = 2,111 | embedded = {{Infobox building | embed = yes | mapframe = no | developer = Chartered Land | other_designers = {{hlist|Billings Design Associates|Martha Schwartz Partners|McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects|Pritchard Themis|Permasteelisa|Arts Team|Michael Slattery Associates|Bruce Shaw}} | quantity_surveyor = Davis Langdon }} | website = {{URL|http://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie|Venue Website}} | public_transit = Grand Canal Dock DART }}

The '''Bord Gáis Energy Theatre''' (originally the '''Grand Canal Theatre''') is a performing arts venue, located in the Docklands of Dublin, Ireland. It is Ireland's largest fixed-seat theatre.<ref name="venue"/> It was designed by Daniel Libeskind for the DDDA, built by Joe O'Reilly (Chartered Land), and opened by Harry Crosbie on 18 March 2010.<ref name="open"/> It is owned by Bernie and John Gallagher (of Doyle Hotels), who bought the theatre in 2014 from NAMA, through their company, Crownway.<ref name="jb1">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/bord-g%C3%A1is-theatre-sold-in-28m-deal-1.1938100?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fcommercial-property%2Fbord-g%25C3%25A1is-theatre-sold-in-28m-deal-1.1938100|title=Bord Gáis Theatre sold in €28m deal|newspaper=Irish Times|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="jb2"/><ref name="jb3"/>

==History== thumb|left|The site in 1985 prior to demolition 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Turtle Bunbury - Award-winning travel writer, historian and author based in Ireland |url=http://www.turtlebunbury.com/published/published_books/docklands/grand_canal_docks/pub_books_docklands_gcd_hanoverquay.html |website=www.turtlebunbury.com |access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin's toxic gasworks material could end up as part of Dutch road network |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/dublin-s-toxic-gasworks-material-could-end-up-as-part-of-dutch-road-network-1.176289 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=18 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Development (2004–2010)== [[File:Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (8225077260).jpg|thumb|left|The front of the Daniel Libeskind 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)<ref name="lieb"/><ref name="build"/><ref name="harry1"/> is the largest fixed seated theatre in Ireland,<ref name="venue">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtheatre.ie/venues|title=Irish Theatre Venues| publisher=irishtheatre.ie| date=2018}}</ref> and the only Irish theatre with a stage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unusual.co.uk/media_files/file/data_sheets/unusual_Grand%20Canal%20Theatre%20Dublin.pdf|title=Grand Canal Theatre Stage Equipment Case Study | publisher=Unusual Rigging Limited| date=2010}}</ref> capable of hosting major London West-End shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/curtain-up-on-a-new-theatrical-era-1.1271104?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fculture%2Fstage%2Fcurtain-up-on-a-new-theatrical-era-1.1271104|title=Curtain up on a new theatrical era? | newspaper=Irish Times| date=21 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="cbre1"/><ref name="cb1"/>

It would rank as the 4th largest London West-End theatre, and exceeds the capacity of all New York Broadway theatres.

The theatre was built by Joe O'Reilly<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/profile-of-joe-o-reilly-1.1688030?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fcrime-and-law%2Fcourts%2Fprofile-of-joe-o-reilly-1.1688030|title=Profile of Joe O'Reilly|newspaper=Irish Times |date=12 February 2014}}</ref> of Chartered Land (Castlethorn),<ref name="lieb">{{cite web|url=https://libeskind.com/work/bord-gais-energy-theatre-and-grand-canal-commercial-development/|title=BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE AND GRAND CANAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT|publisher=Studio Liebskiend|date=2010}}</ref> on a {{convert|0.8|acre|ha|order=flip|adj=on}} site,<ref name="exam"/> at a reported cost of €80 million (incl. land), to the specifications of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (or "DDDA").<ref name="build">{{cite web|url=http://buildipedia.com/aec-pros/featured-architecture/daniel-libeskinds-grand-canal-square-theatre|title=Daniel Libeskind's Grand Canal Square Theatre|publisher=Buildipedia|date=3 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="fot"/><ref name="cb1"/>

The cost of the theatre was funded by the sale of two sites, on either side of the theatre, that Joe O'Reilly purchased from the DDDA in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/grand-designs-will-test-patience-1.1035673?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fculture%2Fgrand-designs-will-test-patience-1.1035673|title=Grand designs will test patience|newspaper=Irish Times|date=8 December 2006}}</ref> Therefore, as well as the Grand Canal Theatre, O'Reilly built the south office block (2 Grand Canal Square at {{cvt|150,000|sqft|m2|order=flip|disp=or}}), and north office blocks (4 & 5 Grand Canal Square at {{cvt|225,000|sqft|m2|order=flip|disp=or}}), as well as a 222-space car-park (underneath the Grand Canal Square plaza).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2007/dockland-scheme-to-express-vitality-of-dublin/|title=Dockland scheme to express 'vitality of Dublin'|publisher=Irish Architecture News|date=19 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://charteredland.ie/grand-canal-square/|title=Grand Canal Square|publisher=Chartered Land|date=2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archdaily.com/52814/grand-canal-theatre-daniel-libeskind|title=Grand Canal Square / Studio Libeskind | publisher=archidaily|date=March 2010}}</ref>

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.<ref name="lieb"/> Studio Liebskind collaborated with RHWL architects in London (theatre specialists) and McCauley Daye O'Connell architects in Dublin (executive architects).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riai.ie/uploads/files/AI250-Digital.pdf|title=Interview with Daniel Liebskind|page=15|publisher=Royal Irish Architecture Institute|date=January 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name="lieb"/>

The DDDA's wider development of the Grand Canal Square (Grand Canal Dock regeneration project), included another office block (1 Grand Canal Square<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2010/2007-no-1-grand-canal-square-grand-canal-quay-dublin/|title=1 Grand Canal Square|publisher=archiseek|date=2010}}</ref> at {{cvt|125,000|sqft|m2|order=flip|disp=or}}, completed in 2007), a 5-star Hotel (the Manuel Aires Mateus designed, Marker Hotel, completed in 2012 but to a lower specification<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiseek.com/2010/2008-hotel-grand-canal-quay-dublin/|title=Marker Hotel Grand Canal Square|publisher=archiseek|date=2010}}</ref>) and a Martha Schwartz designed {{convert|10,000|sqft|m2|order=flip|adj=on}} central piazza (on a "red carpet" theme, integrating with the Liebskind theatre, completed in 2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marthaschwartz.com/grand-canal-square-dublin-ireland/|title=Grand Canal Square Dublin|publisher=Martha Schwartz Partners MSP|date=2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2008/09/05/grand-canal-square-by-martha-schwartz-partners/|title=Grand Canal Square by Martha Schwartz Partners|publisher=deZeen|date=2010}}</ref>

==Ownership (2010 onwards)== [[File:Harry Crosbie.jpg|thumb|left|Owner Harry Crosbie 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 ({{circa|€4M}}), or handle the scale of the venue.<ref name="fot">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/selling-our-largest-theatre-the-public-case-for-a-cultural-jewel-1.1869372|title=Selling our largest theatre: the public case for a cultural jewel|newspaper=Irish Times|date=9 July 2014}}</ref>

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").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crosbie-firm-buys-100m-theatre-being-built-in-dublin-docklands-1.948012?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fcrosbie-firm-buys-100m-theatre-being-built-in-dublin-docklands-1.948012 | title=Crosbie firm buys €100m theatre being built in Dublin docklands|newspaper=Irish Times|date=3 July 2007}}</ref>

Crosbie then leased the management contract for the Grand Canal Theatre to Live Nation (who were also co-owners, and managers, of the 3Arena).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/building-row-takes-centre-stage-on-opening-night-of-80m-theatre-26642298.html|title=Building row takes centre stage on opening night of €80m theatre|publisher=Irish Independent|date=9 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/nick-webb-live-nation-after-harrys-theatre-30602374.html|title=Nick Webb: Live Nation after Harrys' theatre|publisher=Irish Independent|date=14 September 2014}}</ref>

Crosbie officially opened the Grand Canal Theatre with a performance of ''Swan Lake'' by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia on 18 March 2010.<ref name="open">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/grand-unveiling-new-theatre-opens-its-doors-with-swan-lake-1.639629?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fgrand-unveiling-new-theatre-opens-its-doors-with-swan-lake-1.639629|title=Grand Unveiling: New Theatre Opens Its Doors With 'Swan Lake'|newspaper=Irish Times|date=19 March 2010}}</ref>

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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2011/1025/1224306446337.html|title=Grand Canal Theatre to change name as part of Bord Gáis deal|newspaper=Irish Times |date=25 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/information/bord-gais-energy-theatre |work=Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Website |title=We Have Now Changed Our Name! |access-date=2012-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327203906/http://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/information/bord-gais-energy-theatre |archive-date=27 March 2012 }}</ref> worth a reported €4.5 million (or €700k per year).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/bord-gais-secures-naming-rights-to-grand-canal-theatre-262408-Oct2011/|title=Bord Gáis secures naming rights to Grand Canal Theatre|publisher=thejournal.ie|date=24 October 2011}}</ref> The naming-rights deal was renewed in 2018, until the end of 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slattery |first1=Laura |title=Bord Gáis Energy Renews Naming Deal for Theatre |work=The Irish Times |date=24 August 2018 |page=28}}</ref>

The theatre was put into receivership by the NAMA in April 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/grand-canal-theatre-point-village-receivership-876249-Apr2013/|title=Receivers appointed to companies behind former Grand Canal Theatre and Point Village|publisher=thejournal.ie|date=19 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/docklands-king-s-downfall-why-nama-pursued-harry-crosbie-1.1797727?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fcommercial-property%2Fdocklands-king-s-downfall-why-nama-pursued-harry-crosbie-1.1797727|title=Docklands king's downfall – why Nama pursued Harry Crosbie|newspaper=Irish Times|date=16 May 2014}}</ref> 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).<ref name="harry1"/> He unsuccessfully fought the foreclosure by NAMA's receiver, Grant Thornton.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/bord-g%C3%A1is-theatre-sale-barbarous-says-harry-crosbie-1.1871418?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fcommercial-property%2Fbord-g%25C3%25A1is-theatre-sale-barbarous-says-harry-crosbie-1.1871418|title=Bord Gáis theatre sale 'barbarous', says Harry Crosbie|newspaper=Irish Times|date=19 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/harry-crosbie-in-court-challenge-to-nama-over-seizure-of-theatre-30302085.html|title=Harry Crosbie in court challenge to Nama over seizure of theatre|publisher=Irish Independent|date=25 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2014/0709/629495-bord-gais-theatre/|title=Bord Gáis Energy Theatre up for sale for over €20m|publisher=RTE News|date=July 2014}}</ref>

Grant Thornton took control of the theatre for NAMA, however Live Nation continued to manage the venue and support the sales process with CBRE.<ref name="cb1"/>

The theatre was sold in September 2014<ref name="cb1">{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/377036487/Bord-Gais-Energy-Theatre-Grand-Canal-Square-Theatre-CBRE-Sale-Brochure-June-2014|title=Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (CBRE)|publisher=CBRE|date=2014}}</ref><ref name="cbre1"/><ref name="harry1"/> on behalf of Grant Thornton for €28M (twice what Crosbie paid in 2007, and 40% above CBRE's €20M asking), to Bernie and John Gallagher (of Doyle Hotels),<ref name="jb2">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/bord-gais-energy-theatre-sold-for-28m-30607668.html|title=Theatre sold to John and Berie Gallagher of Jurys Doyle fame|publisher=Irish Independent|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="jb3">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/bord-gais-theatre-sold-1685453-Sep2014/|title=Bord Gáis theatre sold for €28m to Celtic Tiger winners|publisher=Irish Independent|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2014/09/24/new-owners-for-bord-gais-energy-theatre/|title=New owners for Bord Gáis Energy Theatre|newspaper=Irish Times|date=24 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="jb1"/> one of Ireland's richest hotel couples. They had not previously owned a theatre or concert venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/magazine/tycoons-under-the-radar-398848|title=Tycoons under the radar|publisher=Sunday Business Post|date=1 October 2017}}</ref>

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== thumb|View out from inside the theatre

Filed accounts (including 2014 CBRE sales materials<ref name="cbre1">{{cite web|url=http://news.cbre.ie/prestigious-dublin-theatre-to-attract-investor-appetite/|title=Prestigious Dublin Theatre to Attract Investor Appetite|publisher=CBRE Ireland|date=4 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="cb1"/><ref name="harry1">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/harry-crosbie-s-bord-g%C3%A1is-theatre-for-sale-at-20m-1.1859385|title=Harry Crosbie's Bord Gáis theatre for sale at €20m|newspaper=Irish Times|date=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="exam">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/bord-gais-theatre-takes-centre-stage-274882.html|title=Bord Gáis Theatre takes centre stage|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=14 July 2014}}</ref>), indicate that the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/theatre-hits-1m-profit-thanks-to-top-musicals-35148062.html|title=Theatre hits €1m profit thanks to top musicals|publisher=Irish Independent|date=21 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="jbg">{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/bord-g%C3%A1is-theatre-sees-profits-triple-to-682-120-1.3248597|title=Bord Gáis theatre sees profits triple to €682,120|newspaper=Irish Times|date=9 October 2017}}</ref>

* 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;<ref name="cb1"/> * 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).<ref name="jbg"/>

==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:<ref name="cb1"/> * ''Wicked'' (2013, 2018 and 2024) * ''The Lion King'' (2013, 2022, 2023) * ''Blood Brothers'' (2014) * ''Dirty Dancing'' (2014 and 2023) * ''War Horse'' (2013) * ''Miss Saigon'' (2017) *'' Les Misérables'' (2018–2019) * ''Kinky Boots'' (2019) * ''The Book of Mormon'' (2021) * ''Hamilton '' (2024)

The following other notable performances have been shown in the theatre:

* In March 2010, the theatre hosted a performance of ''Swan Lake'' by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia on 18 March 2010.<ref name="open"/> * Also in March 2010, the theatre hosted a classical Chinese dance performance ''Shen Yun'' by Shen Yun Performing Arts on 28 March 2010. * In September 2014, TEDxDublin was held in the theatre. * In March 2016, the theatre hosted 'RTÉ Centenary', a concert for television to mark the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Rising.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/rte-centenary-event-tv-2685409-Mar2016/|title=RTÉ had another 'Riverdance moment' last night|journal=TheJournal.ie|date=29 March 2016|author=Aoife Barry}}</ref> *In 2022, it hosted ''Carmen'' starring Paula Murrihy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzz.ie/culture/whats-on-theatre-shows-ireland-26034896|title=What's on stage: Theatre shows, musicals & more arriving in Ireland this spring|first=Aoife|last=Moriarty|date=25 January 2022|website=Buzz.ie}}</ref>

===Performers=== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *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 {{div col end}} *Idina Menzel

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Bord Gáis Energy Theatre}} * [http://www.crownway.ie/ John and Bernie Gallagher, current owners of the theatre] * [http://charteredland.ie/ Chartered Land, developers of the theatre] * [https://libeskind.com/work/bord-gais-energy-theatre-and-grand-canal-commercial-development/ Studio Liebskind, Grand Canal Development] * [https://www.scribd.com/document/377036487/Bord-Gais-Energy-Theatre-Grand-Canal-Square-Theatre-CBRE-Sale-Brochure-June-2014 CBRE Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Brochure 2014]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bord Gais Energy Theatre}} Category:Buildings and structures in Dublin (city) Category:Dublin Docklands Category:Music venues in Dublin (city) Category:Indoor arenas in the Republic of Ireland Category:Theatres in Dublin (city) Category:2010 establishments in Ireland Category:Theatres completed in 2010 Category:Daniel Libeskind buildings Category:21st-century architecture in the Republic of Ireland