Dublin city councillors are being asked to change the development plan to allow the ESB to rebuild its headquarters in Dublin's 'Georgian Quarter'.

Sixteen Georgian houses on Fitzwilliam Street were controversially demolished in 1965 to make way for an office building designed by Sam Stephenson.

That new office building broke up what had been known as the Georgian mile running from Mount Street to Leeson Street.

South East area councillors heard a presentation from the ESB about the new plans, which are designed to reclaim the integrity of the Georgian street according to architect Yvonne Farrell.

The plans include a new public route through the block from Fitzwilliam Street leading to a new plaza on James Street East.

The brickwork will be chosen to blend in with the remaining Georgian buildings and the new building would have "chimneys" to be used for ventilation.

Dublin city councillors voted to have the original facade reinstated as part of the city's development plan.

Pat Boyle of the ESB said this would not be possible with the access and space needed for modern offices.

Fianna Fáil councillor Colm O'Callaghan, who had proposed the reinstatement clause, said the Georgian houses space would only take up 10% of the development and could be developed like the Merrion Hotel.

May Conway a senior planner with Dublin City Council said there were concerns about the growing number of vacancies in the Georgian buildings in the south city and the lack of residential occupancy.

She asked councillors to consider the plans in this context.

The meeting was told that a motion for a variation of the development plan is being drawn up by officials for councillors to consider.