Aoibhin Bryant

Dec 13

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Dublin City Council lodges two plans for social housing apartments in The Liberties

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Dublin City Council has lodged two plans for 279 social housing apartments in the charming Liberties area of the capital, amounting to €69.7 million in total.

In mid-October, plans were applied for 171 apartments on Basin View and another 108 apartments at the Road Maintenance Depot Dublin City, between Marrowbone Lane and Forbes Lane.

The €42.7m development is looking to demolish four existing Basin Street Flats residential buildings to make way for 171 apartments.

The Liberties - Dublin City Council has lodged two plans for 279 social housing apartments in the charming Liberties area of the capital, amounting to €69.7 million in total. Credit: Digital Dimensions

Dublin City Council has lodged two plans for 279 social housing apartments in the charming Liberties area of the capital, amounting to €69.7 million in total. Credit: Digital Dimensions

The apartments will be built across three apartment blocks (Block A, Block B and Block C), ranging from four to eight storeys in height.

The blocks will house 83 one-beds, 71 two-beds, 13 three-beds and four four-beds.

Block A will have 48 units altogether (17 one-beds, 28 two-beds and 3 three-beds).

Block B will have the most apartment units as a building, with 81 in total (28 one-beds, 39 two-beds, 10 three-beds and four four-beds).

Block C, at five storeys, is the shortest of the blocks with an extension to the western gable with 42 units (38 one-beds and four two-beds).

The €42.7m development is looking to demolish four existing Basin Street Flats residential buildings to make way for 171 apartments. Credit: Digital Dimensions

Around 55 car parking spaces are allocated for the site and a further 382 bicycle parking spaces.

A provision of a childcare facility on the ground floor of Block A is also included in current plans.

Furthermore, a community, cultural and arts space is earmarked for Block B, as well as an amphitheatre and 130 sq.m space located externally at Block B.

A public open space (in place of Oisin Kelly Park) will provide a new central area for the Basin View.

Down the road, the City Council have put forward a €27 million plan to construct 108 apartments in two blocks (Block A and B).

Liberties - Furthermore, a community, cultural and arts space is earmarked for Block B, as well as external an amphitheatre and 130 sq.m space located externally at Block B. Pic: MESH Architects

Furthermore, a community, cultural and arts space is earmarked for Block B, as well as external an amphitheatre and 130 sq.m space located externally at Block B. Pic: MESH Architects

Block A is expected to rise to six to seven storeys, consisting of 81 apartments (50 one-beds, 19 two-beds and 12 three-beds).

Block B is smaller at five storeys with just 27 units (14 one-beds, 12 two-beds and one three-bed).

On the site, plans currently have 165 long-stay and 54 short-stay bicycle parking spaces in place. There will be two car parking spaces on the site.

Another 190 square metre community, cultural and arts space is planned for the development – alongside a 800 square metre public realm space and a 700 square metre communal open space.

Dublin City Council has proposed traffic calming measures for both sites, with raised tables and pedestrian crossing points.

Feature image credit: MESH Architects (left) and Digital Dimensions (left)

Oct 29

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Work begins on €98 million mixed development in Midleton, Co Cork

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

The construction of a €98 million mixed development has begun on the outskirts of Midleton, Co Cork.

Work is now underway on the construction of 66 houses on the site at Knockgriffin and Water Rock, Midleton.

EMR Projects are set to build 284 homes in total, spanning 70 houses and 214 apartment and duplex units.

The apartments will be built across seven blocks, from Block A through to G.

Block A and Block B are both five-storey apartment buildings with 14 apartments (six one-beds and eight two-beds) each. Block C spans six storeys with 100 Independent Living Units (83 one-beds and 17 two-beds). Block D rises to seven storeys with 62 apartments (31 one-beds and 31 two-beds).

Work is now underway on the construction of 66 houses for a €98 million mixed development on the outskirts of Midleton, Co Cor — delivering nearly 300 homes in total. Credit: Van Dijk Architects

Block E is reserved for non-residential units such as retail and office space as well as a medical clinic. It stands at four storeys with a retail unit and café on the ground floor (with associated outdoor dining area), a medical clinic on the first floor and admin rooms at ground, first, second and third-floor levels.

Block F and Block G will host the duplex units. Block F will comprise 18 duplexes (nine one-beds and nine three-beds) in a three-storey building. Block G has six duplex units (three one-beds and three three-beds) across three storeys.

Residents in all apartment buildings will benefit from private balconies, communal open spaces and dedicated car and cycling parking. Including the car parking spaces for the houses, the site will have 450 car parking spaces in total.

A childcare facility and associated outdoor play area will be located at Block D.

EMR Projects are set to build 284 homes in total, spanning 70 houses and 214 apartment and duplex units. Credit: Van Dijk Architects

While work commences on 66 of the houses, there will be 70 two-storey semi-detached and terraced houses overall. These include 13 two-beds, 53 three-beds and four four-beds.

All existing derelict buildings on the site will be demolished to make way for the homes.

EMR Projects applied for planning permission in December 2021 with permission granted by Cork County Council in September 2022.

Several appeals were made to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) following the green light, however they were withdrawn before ABP issued a decision.

Feature Image Credit: Van Dijk Architects

Oct 08

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Work begins on €123m mixed development in new Dublin town of Clonburris

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Construction has begun on the €123m mixed development for the new town of Clonburris in south county Dublin.

On 25 September 2024, work began on the construction of an eight-storey residential and retail unit.

Comprising of two residential blocks, the building will provide 115 apartments, a car park and a retail unit on the ground floor. The apartments will take up the remaining seven floors.

Also on the ground floor is a dedicated loading bay for use by the retail unit.

Construction has begun on the €123m mixed development for the new town of Clonburris in south county Dublin. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Cairn Homes Properties Limited received permission to construct 495 new homes on the Kishoge Urban Centre site.

As part of plans, developers will remove existing hardstanding and construct 11 apartment blocks in total.

There will be 449 apartments in total with 216 one-beds, 46 two-beds (for three persons), 187 two-beds (for four persons).

A further 46 duplexes (22 two-beds for four persons and 24 three-beds) are to be built.

These apartments will be arranged across Blocks A-F.

Around 2,502 sq.m has been allocated for retail place, which includes one large two-storey retail unit and two independent retail units on the ground floor of Block B.

A further 4,607 is allocated for employment floorspace across a six-storey building and two independent employment units also on the ground floor of Block B.

Clonburris - There will be 449 apartments in total with 216 one-beds, 46 two-beds (for three persons), 187 two-beds (for four persons) and a further 46 duplexes. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

There will be 449 apartments in total with 216 one-beds, 46 two-beds (for three persons), 187 two-beds (for four persons) and a further 46 duplexes. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

A bike hub and a café will also be found in the employment building

A creche will be built on the ground floor of Block E.

Clonburris Southern Link Street will provide vehicular access to the site.

The development, situated between Lucan, Clondalkin and Liffey Valley, will also feature an urban plaza as part of a public open space as well as play areas and cycle lanes.

Basement car parking will be found at Blocks B to C while Blocks A, D and the retail box will have undercroft parking.

Around 403 parking spaces will also be built at surface-level, including car sharing, accessible spaces, motorcycle parking and electric vehicle charging points.

This mixed-development is another phase of Cairn Homes’ plan to create a new thriving community along the canal in Clonburris.

Currently, the developers have plans to build 5,000 new homes in the area.

The Clonburris Strategic Development Zone Planning Scheme seeks to create a “new Dublin neighbourhood with the perfect balance of urban living and open nature”.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Sep 23

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Permission granted for €52m housing development on former Cork GAA lands

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead to plans for the construction of 319 new homes on former Cork GAA lands.

This €52m Strategic Housing Development (SHD), submitted by submitted by the Cork County GAA Board, will consist of 203 houses and 116 apartments.

These include 85 semi-detached houses(17 four-beds and 68 three-beds) and 118 terraced houses (eight four-beds, 60 three-beds and 50 two-beds).

Of the apartments, there will be 53 duplexes (26 one-beds, 25 two-beds and two three-beds) and 63 apartments (15 one-beds and 48 two-beds).

The apartments will be built across three part four-storey and part five-storey blocks.

A creche and a riverside amenity park are included in current plans.

An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead to plans for the construction of 319 new homes on former Cork GAA lands. Credit: G-Net 3D

The proposed total gross floor area is 33,738.70sqm.

Before construction is underway, a disused hurley manufacturing factory is to be demolished on the site.

The southern and eastern boundary treatments will also be removed and replaced. Formal walking sites will replaces informal walking paths on the north of the site.

A new through road will be laid out across the site, from the Old Whitechurch Road to Delaney’s GAA Grounds.

There will be site access from both the Old Whitechurch Road and the Upper Dublin Hill Road.

Plans include the provision of private, communal and public open spaces as well as motorcycle and car parking.

An Bord Pleanála granted permission subject to 30 conditions.

The land was first bought by Cork County Board in the 1960s to develop playing fields and a hurley factory.

Speaking after Cork County GAA submitted plans to build homes, Marc Sheehan, chairman of Cork County GAA Board said: “There is no further requirement for playing fields in this area and the land has been zoned in recent times for mainly residential.”

He continued: “The shortage of housing in Cork and across the country is well documented and this development could provide homes for hundreds of families in a great location.”

Kevin O’Donovan, CEO of Cork GAA, added that the project is a “key element” of the financial security of Cork GAA.

“We are hopeful that the process will be successful, and would like to thank Cork City Council for their constructive engagement on what is the best use for the site to meet the ongoing need for housing in Cork.”

Feature Image Credit: G-Net 3D

Sep 04

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Green light for €112m Coastal Quarter housing development on old Bray Golf Club

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has granted permission for the second phase of the Coastal Quarter Strategic Housing Development (SHD) in Bray, Co Wicklow.

The planning body gave developers Shankill Property Investments Limited the go-ahead on the condition that floors 7, 8 and 9 in Block B were removed.

The €112 million development will offer over 586 new homes on the old Bray Golf Club lands.

Coastal Quarter Credit: Glenn Howells Architects

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has granted permission for the second phase of the Coastal Quarter Strategic Housing Development (SHD) in Bray, Co Wicklow. Credit: Glenn Howells Architects

Around 76 terraced houses are set to be constructed: 13 two-bed, two-storey houses, 51 three-bed, two-storey houses and 12 four-bed, three-storey houses.

Another 51 apartments will be in duplex units, comprising of 26 two-bedroom ground-floor apartments and 26 three-bedroom apartments across 26 three-storey terraced buildings.

All duplexes will be provided with balconies and gardens.

Another 458 apartments were planned to span across four apartment blocks, ranging in height from three to 12 storeys.

In total, 239 one-beds, 198 two-beds and 21 three-beds were in plans applied to An Bord Pleanala.

The €112 million development will offer over 586 new homes on the old Bray Golf Club lands. Credit: Glenn Howells Architects

Each will be offered either a balcony or a terrace.

A retail unit, a café and a commercial space housing a gym and a juice bar are included in plans for residents. These amenities will be found in Block B.

A creche will also be built.

Communal areas such as open spaces, playgrounds and a multi-use games area are planned.

Developers will build 549 car parking spaces – 478 spaces for residents, 36 spaces for residential visitors, 14 spaces for retail use and 21 spaces for staff, creche set down and car sharing.

326 of these spaces will be at undercroft level with the remaining 223 spaces to be at the surface, on the street or curtilage.

A total of 23 spaces will be accessible parking spaces and 66 will be EV charging spaces.

A retail unit, a café and a commercial space housing a gym and a juice bar are included in plans for residents. These amenities will be found in Block B. Credit: Glenn Howells Architects

Another 24 spaces will be reserved for motorcycles and there will be 1,076 bicycle parking spaces (791 residential and 254 visitors).

Bike stores will also be erected for the house and duplex units.

This project is the second phase of Shankill Property Investments Limited’s Coastal Quarter SHD, with the first phase commencing construction last year.

Feature Image Credit: Glenn Howells Architects

Aug 29

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Work begins on £41m ‘eco-friendly’ Queen’s University student accommodation in Belfast

By Aoibhin Bryant | Building Information Ireland

Work has commenced on a £41 million student accommodation for Queen’s University in Belfast.

Construction started on a 17-storey building providing 463 apartments with communal facilities as well as internal and external communal amenities spaces.

Work began in August 2024 with the first batch of students expected to make themselves home in September 2026.

The building will be erected on the Dublin Road.

Work has commenced on a £41 million student accommodation for Queens University in Belfast. Credit: RPP Architects – Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast have hailed the Passivhaus development as the “largest eco-friendly student accommodation on the island of Ireland”.

Passivhaus is a standard that means very little energy is used to maintain heating or cooling in the building due to insulation, appropriate windows, and ventilation systems with heat recovery among others.

Queen’s will share the site with tech giant Kainos, which is building its new headquarters.

Speaking at the sod-turning event, Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer remarked that the accommodation will “transform” the area once known as Belfast’s Golden Mile.

Work began on August 2024 with the first batch of students expected to make themselves home in September 2026. Credit: Ray Matthews LinkedIn 15/08/24

“For the past 180 years, Queen’s has been renowned for providing a world-class education to our students and huge influence on the economic and social landscape of Belfast and beyond,” he said.

“This accommodation, together with Kainos’ new office space, will transform the landscape of Dublin Road, increase economic activity in the area through city-centre-living and deliver tangible benefits for the welfare of our people and planet.”

Liz McLaughlin, Director for Student and Campus Experience said the accommodation will help meet the increasing demand for student accommodation.

“Belfast is a lively, future-focussed city that year-on-year, is attracting a higher number of students, meaning Queen’s has seen increased demand for university accommodation,” she said.

Speaking at the sod-turning event, Queen’s President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer remarked that the accommodation will “transform” the area once known as Belfast’s Golden Mile. Credit: Queen’s University Belfast

“Our continued investment in first-rate accommodation and facilities offers prospective students high-quality, secure living quarters, alongside a transformative student experience.”

Feature Image Credit: RPP Architects – Belfast

Aug 06

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Oranmore Credit: John Fleming Architects (Dublin)

Plans applied for €75.5m housing development in Oranmore, Galway

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Plans have been applied for a €75.5 million Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) in Oranmore, Co Galway.

Developers Marshall Yards Development Company Ltd put forward plans for the construction of 171 new homes in Carton and Garraun South.

Current plans would see the demolition of an existing shed and associated structures on the 5.5-hectare site.

In its wake, plans see around 167 houses and 4 apartments built.

Of the houses, 16 will be one-beds, 71 will be two-beds, 70 will be three-beds and 10 will be four-beds.

The four apartments will be two-bed duplexes.

Plans have been applied for a €75.5 million Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) in Oranmore, Co Galway — bringing 171 new homes to the area. Credit: John Fleming Architects (Dublin)

Applicants seek to build a creche and the provision of pedestrian and cyclist facilities along the R338 to Oranmore rail station.

An ESB substation, a pumping station and footpaths, parking, bicycle and bin stores are also included in current plans.

Access for residents would be available via a new entrance on the L-71051 to the east.

Marshall Yards Development Company Ltd submitted plans to Galway City Council on June 17, 2024.

A decision from the Council is due by August 11, 2024.

Feature Image Credit: John Fleming Architects (Dublin)

Jul 01

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Work Begins On New €49m Dublin HQ for Deloitte

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Deloitte has started work on their new headquarters in Dublin city.

Work kicked off in June with the demolition of the existing office development on the Dublin 2 site – an eight-storey L-shaped office block and carpark.

No other work has started yet but the future will see the erection of a new building complete with retail and cafe use as well as a community facility at 1 Adelaide Road.

The structure will range in height from four storeys at the rear, facing through Albert Terrace and Albert Place West, then a setback of six to eight storeys and finally a nine to ten-storey setback at the entrance, facing Harcourt Road and Adelaide Road.

The building will reach an upper parapet height of 41.47m.

It will cost an estimated €49 million in total.

External terraces will face Albert Terrace and Albert Place West (on the fourth floor) as well as Peter Place and Albert Place West (on the sixth floor).

A wrap-around terrace will circle the eighth floor and the ninth floor has a terrace facing Harcout Road and Peter Place.

In line with hybrid working trends, the car park will be downsized from the original 51 spaces down to just 24 spaces. This will be found at the basement level, accessed via a car lift off Albert Place West.

In lieu of extra car spaces, 289 bicycle spaces will be provided (including cargo bike and accessible spaces and 12 visitor spaces).

The office will also be located on the green Luas line at the Harcourt stop.

Irish Life Assurance Plc put forward plans for the new office in January 2023.

Dublin City Council gave them the go-ahead in June of that year with work officially beginning a year later.

Deloitte’s Dublin branch currently hires upward of 1,800 people.

Feature Image Credit: RKD

Jun 20

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Fingal County Council looking to build 449 new social homes

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Fingal County Council has lodged plans for two expansive social housing developments in North Dublin.

The county council is looking to build 449 new homes across Swords and Donabate.

The projects will cost around €99 million, with plans applied in the last month.

The largest residential development is hoped to be constructed in Swords.

At €60 million, the plan would deliver 274 homes in Mooretown – 187 houses and 87 duplex and apartment units.

Fingal Social Homes Credit: Fingal County Council

The largest residential development is hoped to be constructed in Swords — the €60 million project will build 274 homes. Credit: Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Ranging from two to five storeys, there will be 18 one-beds, 109 two-beds, 128 three-beds and 19 four-beds.

Fingal County Council also seeks the provision of Class 2 Open Space of 18,065 sq.m including riparian corridors and eight pocket parks with a total area of 2,950 sq.m.

New pedestrian and cycle connections are also planned to the west with 415 car parking spaces (357 residential and 58 short-stay) and 1,143 bicycle parking spaces (1,117 residential and 26 short-stay).

The Donabate development is smaller – costing €39 million for 175 homes.

It is proposed for a site on New Road with 123 houses and 52 apartments.

The houses will range part-one storey to two storeys in height – with 30 two-beds, 82 three-beds and 11 four-beds.

The 52 apartments will include 26 one-beds, 20 two-beds and six three-beds in a single block, from one to four storeys in height.

The Donabate development is smaller – costing €39 million for 175 homes. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Private amenity spaces such as gardens, balconies and terraces will be provided for the homes.

A single-storey creche (with outdoor play area and external stores) is planned for residents.

The development will include two new multi-modal entrances as well as connections to existing or under-construction residential developments to the east and north of the site.

The project envisions 139 car parking spaces, four set-down bays as well as motorcycle and bicycle parking.

A public open space and a communal amenity space are in current plans.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Jun 14

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Land Development Agency (LDA) announces new panel with aims to deliver over 5,000 new homes

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

The Land Development Agency has announced a new framework panel that aims to provide more than 5,000 new homes in Ireland.

The panel will include 15 of Ireland’s “largest and most experienced” homebuilders with hopes that the initiative will accelerate the construction of large-scale high density and affordable housing projects.

The homebuilders were chosen by the State’s affordable housing delivery body through a public procurement competition.

The homebuilders chosen are as follows: Alanna Homes, Ballymore, Cairn Homes, Chartered Land, Elkstone, Glenveagh Properties plc, Greencare Construction Limited, Greenseed , Marlet Property Group, McGarrell Reilly, O’Callaghan Properties, O’Flynn Group, Park Developments, Quintain Ireland, Royalton Group.

The panel will provide a number of options, including forward funding mechanisms which will process phased payments to housebulders to ensure the completion of affordable homes.

The framework panel is a part of the LDA’s Project Tosaigh programme, which strives to complete housing projects by purchasing homes upon completion and then providing them as new homes to renters or to purchasers at an affordable price.

The LDA will put funding towards housing projects based upon milestones reached during the development proess. It is believed that this will speed up the delivery of homes as the LDA will run competitive mini tenders to drive “fair but robust” pricing tension.

Subject to funding, the agency will provide around €2 billion to key housing projects around the country.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of the LDA, hailed the panel as a “step-change” in the way the agency delivers homes.

“It identifies strong project partners who will work with us to design and deliver affordable homes in the right places, at scale and at the right cost,” he said.

“The framework will give the LDA greater control over the housing projects it funds, as the Agency will be more involved in design and financing from an earlier stage.

“It also provides more certainty for the housebuilders we partner with, incentivising them to achieve development milestones through staged payments.”

The panel will remain in place for four years.

Feature Image Credit: LDA

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