The U2 Tower is the newest Tower which has been designed by Foster + Partners in the docklands area of Dublin. The Tower has 120 meter height with a public viewing platform, hotel, retail and residential space including social and affordable housing. At the top of the tower a suspended egg shape pod has been added to house U2’s state of the art recording studio. Above this is an ‘energy centre’ containing wind turbines and a large solar panel.

The design chosen on October 12, 2007 is a tilted triangle. It has mainly luxury apartments, with a public viewing platform at 100m. The east and west facades will be crinkled in the manner of fish scales, with concealed balconies. The north facade will be sleek, while the south facade will have further solar panels. The building will straddle the end of Sir John Rogerson’s quay, allowing traffic to pass through its base.

Paul Maloney, Chief Executive of the Docklands Authority, noted in their choice that: ‘We are delighted to have achieved our ambition of realizing an inspirational landmark design, while at the same time maximizing public usage and access.’
‘This design will be a very special building for Docklands and Dublin City while integrating the Britain Quay and U2 Tower buildings in a distinct and coherent fashion on the waterfront. It will also provide visitors the opportunity to experience spectacular views across Dublin city and bay, and for the community offers significant social and affordable housing potential.’

The site where to tower is to be situated is of great architectural interest. Sited at the confluence of three waterways; the River Liffey, River Dodder and Grand Canal, Foster’s design would join that of other world leading architects such as Studio Libeskind’s Grand Canal Theater, the Manuel Aires Mateus designed five star hotel, and the recently opened Grand Canal Square designed by Martha Schwartz.

Construction was to begin in 2008 and end in 2011, at a cost of €200m. In October 2008, the project was postponed indefinitely because of the economic downturn. Now, construction is expected to begin in 2009.