Foster to design Dublin's U2 Tower

DUBLIN, Oct 12 (Reuters) - A consortium including architect Norman Foster and Irish rock band U2 has been selected as preferred bidder to build a 120-metre (394 foot) tower at the mouth of Dublin's River Liffey.

The planned U2 Tower, which will be Ireland's tallest building but about a quarter of the height of some of the world's tallest skyscrapers, is part of a plan to regenerate the city's docklands area.

A U2 recording studio will be suspended at the top of the tower in an egg-shaped pod.

The development will also include a public viewing platform at 100 metres, a hotel, retail and residential accommodation including affordable housing.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority said in a statement on Friday it had selected the Geranger Ltd consortium as preferred bidder to design, build and finance the project after considering other schemes.

The consortium includes August Partners which is made of U2's band members and the group's management.

The architect is Norman Foster's firm Foster + Partners, whose past projects have included redesigning Berlin's Reichstag and buildings in London such as the new Wembley Stadium and the "Gherkin" office tower.

"This consortium working with Norman Foster will deliver an enduring landmark for Dublin," said John McLaughlin, director of architecture for the Docklands Authority.

The development is estimated to cost over 200 million euros ($284.3 million) with construction expected to start in 2008 and be completed by 2011, the statement said.

The original design competition was for a 60-metre tower but was later doubled after a change in local planning.