Dec 08
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Credit: Model Works

Work begins on €127m housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced.

Work began on constructing two apartment blocks (Building A and Building B) as part of an ambitious 590-apartment development in the north corner of the county.

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units.

Block 1 will measure up to ten storeys high with 211 apartments (91 one-beds, 106 two-beds and 14 three-beds), terraces, balconies and a roof garden.

A retail unit, three office suites and a creche are also planned at the ground and first-floor levels.

Apartments Charlestown

The building of a €127 million housing development in Charlestown, Co Dublin has commenced. Credit: Model Works

Block 2 is smaller at seven storeys, offering 184 apartments ( 57 one-beds, 123 two-beds and four three-beds), also with a roof garden.

A retail unit, an office suite and a health/medical centre are to be constructed at the ground floor.

At eight storeys high, Block 3 promises 95 apartments (54 one-beds, 34 two-beds, and 7 three-beds).

Block 4 is the smallest at six storeys and 100 apartments (32 one-beds, 53 two-beds and 15 three-beds) and a roof garden.

All apartment blocks will be provided with balconies and terraces for residents.

Apartments Charlestown

The project, led by Puddenhill Property Limited, will consist of four apartment blocks in total, comprising 234 one-bed units, two-bed units and 40 three-bed units. Credit: Model Works

Vehicular access to the development will be provided from Charlestown Place. The existing pedestrian access from the Charlestown Shopping Centre will be re-located to align with the pedestrian boulevard on the site.

Around 515 car parking spaces and 1068 cycle parking spaces will be provided at basement and surface levels.

Work on the site officially began on November 30.

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) gave the project the green light on September 21, 2021, after Puddenhill Property Limited submitted plans in May of that year.

Despite the application receiving several objections from Dublin North-West TDs, ABP found that “the proposed development would constitute an acceptable residential density in this urban location, would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, would be acceptable in terms of urban design, height and quantum of development and would be acceptable in terms of traffic and pedestrian safety and convenience”.

Feature Image Credit: Model Works

Nov 28
0
Credit: G-Net 3D

Plans applied for €45m housing development on historic site in Limerick

By | Industry News

A planning application has been applied for a €45 million housing development in Limerick.

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road.

The project hopes to change the use of the historical Ardhú House from commercial to residential use – demolishing all 20th-century extensions to the front, rear and side.

The protected structure will then be converted into four new apartments.

Developers Tribeca Asset Management Limited also hope to build seven detached two-storey houses on the site.

These will be accessed by an existing entrance on Roses Avenue.

Credit: G-Net 3D

Developers hope to build the Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) on the site of the former Ardhú House off Ennis Road. Credit: G-Net 3D

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks.

Varying from three to five storeys each, Block 1 will host 46 apartments with 17 one-beds and 29 two-beds.

Block 2 will be a part four and part five-storey building, comprising a creche with an outdoor play area on the ground floor and 26 apartments from the ground to the fourth floor (12 one-beds, 13 two-beds and one three-bed).

At five storeys, Block 03 will have 24 apartments in total (15 one-beds and nine two-beds).

Of the 44 apartments in Block 04(part four, part five-storey) 26 will be one-beds and 18
will be two-beds.

Finally, Block 05 will be a part three to part five-storey building with 25 apartments (11 one-beds, 14 two-beds) and two duplexes (one one-bed and one three-bed).

Credit: G-Net 3D

The largest component of the development will see the erection of 167 apartments across five apartment blocks. Credit: G-Net 3D

Private balconies/terraces for the apartments are proposed on all elevations for each block.

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor.

On top of the four new apartments, Ardhú House will be refurbished for other residential amenity uses such as a gym, co-working space and administrative space at ground floor level and a lounge, dining, cinema and games room on the first floor.

Renovating the historic building will involve the removal of some internal walls, internal renovations to walls, ceilings, windows and joinery, repair of facades, repair and renewal of roof fabric and chimneys, repair and renewal of rainwater goods, and all associated conservation works.

Credit: G-Net 3D

For Ardhú House, once all non-historic extensions are demolished, a new single-storey glazed extension will be added to the front, as well as another glazed addition to the south of the side wing on the ground floor. Credit: G-Net 3D

Ancillary works include the relocation of an existing vehicular entrance on Ennis Road 5.5m to the west and the relocation of the vehicular entrances on Roses Avenue to the south.

The existing vehicular entrance on Roses Avenue will be kept to provide pedestrian access and occasional service vehicle access to an ESB Substation and Switchroom only.

The development will also provide 94 car parking spaces, including five accessible spaces, 10 visitor spaces and 19 EV charging spaces.

Public open space and a children’s play area are also planned.

Tribeca Asset Management Limited submitted plans to Limerick City and County Council on 17 November 2023.

Feature Image Credit:G-Net 3D

Nov 20
0
Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Construction begins on €1bn Celtic Interconnector

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Work has officially on the €1 billion Celtic Interconnector project.

A joint Irish and French effort, the Celtic Interconnector is a planned subsea cable that will link the electricity grids between France and Ireland.

EirGrid has been working with its French equivalent Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE) since 2011 to deliver the project.

Expected to run about 500km in length, it will connect the existing substation in Knockraha, Co Cork to La Martyre in France.

The French electricity cable will run undersea from Brittany, northern France.

It will then make landfall in Youghal and then run mainly along the verge side of the main Cork-Waterford road (N25) into Carrigtwohill and then onto Knockraha, hooking it up to the national grid.

As part of plans, a converter station will be constructed to convert the electricity from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) to Alternating Current (AC).

The 700-megawatt submarine cable will have enough capacity to power around 450,000 homes.

It is expected to be completed in 2026 with full integration to the grid by 2027.

Providing Ireland with a direct electricity link to the European Union, the cable link is a part of the Offshore Network Development Plan.

Because of this, the European Commission is contributing €530.7 million from the commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to help complete the design and delivery of the project.

Contracts for the Celtic Interconnector were signed in November 2022, in Paris.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan welcomed the initiation of the project.

“The commencement of construction on the Celtic Interconnector project marks an important part of our wider energy ambitions. Increased electricity interconnection will be a key enabler in our growing use of renewable energy will also help lower energy prices and play a central role in Ireland’s journey to a net zero power system,” he said.

“It will also better integrate European electricity markets, and by using more diversified energy markets, this will improve our electricity security and resilience.”

French Energy Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, said the Celtic Interconnector will “increase the security of supply both for Ireland and France and contribute to the decarbonisation of our electricity mixes”.

Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Nov 14
0
Credit: Brendan Williams

Plans applied for €66m residential development in Kerry

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

Plans for a €66 million Large Scale Development in Kerry have been put forward.

Applicants Ned O’Shea & Sons Construction Ltd have sought permission to construct a 235-unit housing development at Lisloose, just under 2km from Tralee’s town centre.

Plans seek to demolish disused agricultural outhouses and sheds on the lands and construct a range of both houses and apartments in its place.

A total number of 129 houses are hoped to be built, with a breakdown of eight four-bed two-storeys, 83 three-bed two-storeys, 34 two-bed two-storeys and four two-bed dwellings with just one storey.

Credit: Brendan Williams

Permission has been sought to build a 235-unit housing development near Tralee valuing at €66 million. Credit: Brendan Williams

These houses would be built in a mixture of semi-detached and terraced styles.

Of the 106 apartments, 48 will be one-beds built across 12 two-storey blocks of four apartments each.

A further 20 one-bed and 22 two-bed apartments will be constructed for two four-storey apartment blocks (Blocks J1 and J2).

Each block will provide 10 one-beds and 11 two-beds respectively.

A further eight one-beds and eight two-beds are also planned to be built.

Credit: Brendan Williams

A total number of 129 houses and 106 apartments are planned for the Large Scale Residential Development, alongside a retail unit and creche. Credit: Brendan Williams

On top of residential dwellings, the applicants aspire to build a retail unit and a creche in one of the apartment blocks.

The plans have parking spaces for 372 cars and 349 bicycles.

Shared open spaces for residents are included in plans, as well as landscaping and all other associated and ancillary site works.

Ned O’Shea & Sons Construction Ltd put forward their plans to Kerry County Council in October of this year.

Featured Image Credit: Brendan Williams

 
Nov 02
0
Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Construction begins on €72.5m Citywest Drive SHD in Dublin

By | Industry News

Work on the €72.5 million Citywest Drive Strategic Housing Development (SHD) is officially underway.

On October 25, construction began on the first apartment block of the development on the lands at the Citywest Shopping Centre at Fortunestown, Dublin 24, South of Fortunestown Lane and West of Citywest Road.

The block (which has been dubbed ‘The Hazel’) is set to reach four storeys in height.

Known as Carrigmore Woods, the SHD will provide 290 homes in total across six blocks – Block A (The Oak), Block B (The Birch) & Block C (The Willow), Block D (The Hazel), Block E (The Hawthorn) and Block F (The Alder).

Each block will vary from four to six storeys above ground and provide balconies/terraces on all elevations.

Of the 290 apartments, 106 are set to be one-beds, 144 will be two-beds and 40 are to be three-beds.

Associated residential amenity facilities such as a childcare facility, four retail units and two café / restaurant units are included in current provisions.

Pedestrian walkways and lighting, cycle links, green roofs and waste facilities will also be provided for residents as well as 153 car spaces and 298 bicycle parking spaces.

Of the 2.9-hectare site, approximately 8% will be cordoned off for open spaces such as courtyards, children’s play areas and an outdoor gym.

Developers Ardstone Residential Partners Fund ICAV and OBSF (1) Ltd first submitted plans for the site over four years ago on October 21, 2019.

They received An Bord Pleanála’s stamp of approval with conditions in January 2020 with work finally commencing in October of this year.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Oct 25
0
Credit: VINCI-Airports.com

Work begins on £100m Belfast Airport Revamp

By | Industry News

Work has begun on the £100 million revamp at Belfast International Airport.

The extension will see a brand new security building for the airport in a five-year expansion plan.

In this building, Generation 3 x-ray equipment will be installed to keep the airport in line with the United Kingdom’s new guidelines.

The plan put forward by the airport’s owner VINCI Airports also sees an update to existing facilities, including an improved airside departure area with additional departure gates and extra seating.

Travellers in the future will be treated to extra shopping and catering facilities.

The Border Force area will also be extended over the next five years.

Phase one began this October with the demolition of the old arrivals terminal. Work will then commence on the construction of the new £25 million security building, next to the departures terminal.

It is estimated that 400 local construction jobs will be created for the duration of the build.

“VINCI Airports’ investment will support Belfast International Airport’s positive dynamic by strongly improving the passenger experience,” said Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions & President of VINCI Airports.

“The airport plays a pivotal role for aviation, tourism and the wider local economy. As a long-term partner, VINCI Airports is committed to sustainably develop the airport and increase its environmental performance”.

In December of last year, the UK government set a deadline of June 2024 for all of its airports to install the new Standard 3 x-ray equipment.

The new x-ray machines will see an end to 100ml liquid restrictions when travelling.

Instead, passengers will no longer have to take liquids and large electrical items out of their cabin luggage while going through security.

“The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security,” UK’s Transport Secretary Mark Harper said at the time.

“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threat.”

Feature Image Credit: VINCI-Airports.com

Oct 11
0

Plans applied for €193m 716-home residential development in Meath

By | Industry News

AZRA Property Company Limited has put forward plans to deliver 716 new homes in Co Meath.

The applicants have applied for a ten-year contract to construct the €193 million development on the townlands of Castle Farm, Ruskin, and Clonee on a site of approximately 16.92HA.

Developers hope to build a mixture of apartments, duplexes, and terraced, semi-detached and detached houses of two storeys.

There will be 517 apartments in total –123 one-beds, 378 two-beds and 60 three-beds across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys.

There will be 517 apartments in total across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

There will be 517 apartments in total across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

They will be divided into three sections – the largest being Blocks A1, A2, A3 and A4 with 10 one-bed apartments, 202 two-beds and 24 three-beds in four to six-storey apartments.

These are followed by Blocks B1 and B2 with 55 one-beds, 80 two-beds and 12 three-beds, and finally Block C1 and C2 with 36 one-beds, 78 two-beds and 20 three-beds and finally Blocks C1 and C2 with

Of the 155 houses, six are two-bedroom houses, 69 are three-beds, 74 are four-beds and four are five-beds.

The dwellings will be constructed on lands bordered by agriculturally zoned lands on the east and south, west of the Iarnrod Eireann rail line and north of other residential developments.

Developers have also proposed alterations to two roundabouts on the R147 Old Navan Road to accommodate the new dwellings.

There will be 517 apartments in total across eight blocks varying in height from four to seven storeys. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

Of the 155 houses, six are two-bedroom houses, 69 are three-beds, 74 are four-beds and four are five-beds. Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

Applicants Azra Property Company Limited submitted plans to Meath County Council on September 1.

The council are expected to reach a decision on the development by the end of this month, October 26.

Feature Image Credit: Plus Architecture Ltd

Oct 04
2

New National Maternity Hospital for St. Vincent’s University Hospital Goes To Tender

By | Upcoming Construction Projects

A new National Maternity Hospital at St. Vincent’s University Hospital has officially gone to tender.

The €182m development initially received the go-ahead from Cabinet last July.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has now began their search for a bidder to fund the new hospital.

Once a successful bidder has been found, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will return to Cabinet for the signing of contracts.

The project will then proceed to the main construction phase.

The plan sees the hospital relocated from its original building at Holles Street to its new campus with 244 beds (including 38 in-patient beds) on a 10.55 hectare site.

Existing facilities will be demolished and in its place, a new 53,676m2 square metre gross floor area building will be developed at the eastern end of the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus.

This building will rise to up to seven storeys in height above ground level, with one partial basement level.

It will provide medical and surgical specialities for maternity, gynaecology, paediatrics, neonatology, pathology, genetics, anaesthesia, emergency medicine, endocrinology/diabetes, pain management, oncology, colposcopy, urodynamics, foetal medicine, haematology, and replacement facilities for St. Vincent’s University Hospital including a new dermatology unit, a medical records department, finance department offices and ancillary shared facilities.

National Maternity Hospital

The plan sees the National Maternity Hospital relocated from its original building at Holles Street to its new campus with 244 beds (including 38 in-patient beds) on a 10.55 hectare site. Credit: ARC

To accommodate the additional demand of the new hospital, the existing multi-storey car park at St Vincent’s University Hospital will be expanded with two levels vertically and a five-level extension to make way for 277 new spaces and two new entrances.

In order to not disrupt the daily operation of the hospital campus, the development will be constructed in a sequential manner with provisions made for temporary accommodation on the site.

Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly welcomed Cabinet’s approval last July as an “important milestones” towards the delivery of the new National Maternity Hospital.

“The new National Maternity Hospital will be the biggest and most important investment in women’s healthcare in Ireland in decades. The quality of care delivered at the existing NMH at Holles Street is of the highest standard but is currently limited by infrastructural constraints,” he said in his announcement.

“The new NMH is designed to be aligned with leading international standards which will result in improved patient and family experiences. Co-location of the NMH with St Vincent’s at Elm Park will enable greater and more direct access to a wide range of critical care and specialist medical services, reducing risk for both the mother and the newborn baby.”

Minister Donnelly also stressed that the new hospital will not merely be a replacement but “offer almost 50% more in-patient and day case beds and provide additional capacity to manage national unmet need for women’s health services”.

“The contemporary design of the new NMH provides flexibility to allow for the delivery of clinical services and to adapt to both expected and unforeseen change into the future.”

Feature Image Credit: ARC

Sep 18
0
Feature Image Credit: Graham Construction

Official Sod Turning Takes Place For First Build-To-Rent Apartments in Belfast

By | Industry News

The official sod turning has taken place for the development of £117 million apartments in Belfast.

While preparatory construction work gas began on site in July, the main contractor Graham Construction has officially started work on the site which will deliver 778 apartments in the Titanic Quarter of the city.

Developers Watkin Jones held a ceremony on September 12 to mark the beginning of the first Build To Rent scheme in Northern Ireland.

Known as The Loft Lines, it will house 627 Build to Rent apartments alongside 151 affordable homes (for Clanmil Housing Association) across three different buildings.

Forward funded by Legal & General, they will include studios, one-bed, two-beds and three-beds on the 3.8-acre site.

Credit: Todd Architects

The official sod turning has taken place for the development of £117 million apartments in Belfast. Credit: Todd Architects

Each block will provide a shared external amenity courtyard on the first floor and another amenity space at the roof level.

There will also be lounges, cinema rooms, sports and recreational spaces and children’s play areas for the apartments.

In a ‘resident first’ approach, cyclists and pedestrians will be prioritised over cars which includes bike storage with wash down and repair facilities as well as covered storage for visitors’ cycles.

The scheme was brought forward by a development partnership of Watkin Jones PLC, Pirrie Belfast Limited and Lacuna Developments.

While securing approval to go-ahead in October last year, construction was delayed due to the financial climate.

Credit: Todd Architects

Known as The Loft Lines, it will house 627 Build to Rent apartments alongside 151 affordable homes (for Clanmil Housing Association) across three different buildings. Credit: Todd Architects

Speaking at the ceremony marking the dawn of construction, Group Investment Director for Watkin Jone George Dyer hailed the Titanic Quarter as an area ‘steeped in rich history’.

“Transforming this brownfield site into a thriving place to live and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration,” he said with the backdrop of the Titanic Museum behind him.

“The development is being brought to fruition by a partnership approach between all stakeholders and funders and we are grateful for the genuine collaboration we have experienced with our partners. This event demonstrates the progress the teams are making for the city of Belfast.”

Anthony Best, Managing Director of Lacuna Developments, said it was ‘fantastic’ to see the development come to life.

Feature Image Credit: Graham Construction

Speaking at the ceremony marking the dawn of construction, Group Investment Director for Watkin Jone George Dyer hailed the Titanic Quarter as an area ‘steeped in rich history’. Credit: Graham Construction

“Along with public realm, retail for the wider TQ community and a creche which the scheme will deliver, it is hugely exciting to be involved in the event.”

Completion of the apartments is expected in late 2025.

Feature Image Credit: Graham Construction

Sep 11
0

Construction of 1200 homes begins in Donabate

By | Industry News

Work has begun on the €264 million residential development at Ballymastone, Donabate.

Construction of the first 432 has commenced in the first phase of the development in north county Dublin.

The first batch of homes will be delivered by H2 2024 with developers anticipating the first phase to be completed by H2 2025.

At 28 hectares, the project will provide up to 1200 homes – one of the largest residential developments in the country.

Of these homes, 60% will be private housing, 20% will be affordable housing and 20% will be social housing.

Credit: Fingal County Council

Work has begun on the €264 million, 1200-home development at Ballymastone, Donabate — one of the largest residential developments in the country. Credit: Fingal County Council

More than 11% of the site will be reserved for public open spaces with small parks and pocket parks close to the housing.

The scheme will also include other community facilities such as creches, EV charging points, and improved transport links.

Fingal County Council councillors voted through the development 31 votes to 9 on May 25, 2025.

In January 24 2022, Glenveagh Living Limited was awarded the contract.

Speaking at the sod-turning on August 25, Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien welcomed the site as a “significant” provider of private, social and affordable housing for north county Dublin.

“As we work towards achieving the targets outlined under the Housing For All plan, developments such as this will alleviate some of the pressure on the housing market and provide quality and sustainable homes for families, young people and the wider community,” he said.

Chief Executive of Glenveagh, Stephen Garvey hailed the development as a “landmark partnership for the community of Donabate and Portrane.

Credit: Fingal County Council

Speaking at the sod-turning on August 25, Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien welcomed the site as a “significant” provider of private, social and affordable housing for north county Dublin. Credit: Fingal County Council

“We have gotten to a place where we can now deliver 1,200 energy-efficient, sustainable, and high-quality homes for over 3000 people, alongside a world-class hub of recreational and sporting facilities for the people of Donabate, Portrane and the entire community,” he said.

“Our job at Glenveagh is to create vibrant, flourishing communities across Ireland, and we will continue to work collaboratively with Fingal County Council and the Government to deliver these homes and recreational facilities as quickly as we can, to ensure that thousands of people can call Balmoston and the wider community of Donabate and Portrane their home for generations to come.”

Feature Image Credit: Fingal County Council