Anglo HQ building owners seek to swap loans for lattes

The Dublin headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank may swap loans for lattes under a plan to turn the epicentre of Ireland’s financial crisis into a café.

The concrete and brick-faced office overlooking St Stephen’s Green has been the site of angry demonstrations against irresponsible lenders and a government rescue of the bank that cost every Irish man, woman and child more than €6,500.

Building owner Irish Life has applied to convert the ground floor into a coffee shop, according to a filing to city authorities.