The famous Dublin studios where U2 recorded some of their earliest and best-loved albums has been demolished.
by Sam Griffin, Independent.ie
The Windmill Lane studios, located in Dublin's south inner city, was the iconic site for a host of top international music acts who recorded tracks going back to the 1970s, when they were opened by Brian Masterson.
The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, REM, Sinéad O'Connor and Elvis Costello all recorded in the studios.
However, it was U2, who recorded parts of 'The Joshua Tree' album at the site, who were best associated with Windmill Lane.
Bulldozers and wrecking balls moved in over the weekend with just the iconic graffiti walls still surviving after the weekend's work.
The actual studios were moved out of the buildings and relocated to Ringsend some time ago. The buildings were then purchased by property investment company Hibernia REIT, who bought the loans held against the Hanover Building on Windmill Lane for €20.16m, as well as an adjoining one-acre development site for €7.5m.
Fans have continued to visit the site over the years and paid tribute to the buildings' former glory days by adding graffiti to the walls around the site.
There had been plans to construct a six-storey office block on the old site but this was dropped after it led to criticism from local resident groups in 2008.
It is understood parts of the 'decorated' walls will be maintained and may even be sold off or donated.
Residential, retail and office units will be developed on the site.
However, Hibernia REIT has previously stated it would "take into account" the site's history.
© Independent.ie
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