Upcoming Construction Projects

Feb 02

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Work begins on Cork dockland’s first large-scale apartment scheme

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Work has begun on the €160m apartment development in Cork city’s docklands.

The first large-scale development of its kind for Horgan’s Quay, Phase 1 of construction commenced on January 17 2024.

This phase sees the construction of a seven to nine-storey building offering 192 apartments.

As well as the new homes, the building will provide residential amenity areas, a management suite, a creche and two retail units all on the ground floor.

The first large-scale apartment scheme in Cork City’s docklands, the development will offer 302 apartments. Pic: Larry Cummins

Work also began on a covered car park and ancillary rooms such as an ESB station, switch rooms, comms room, generator room, plant rooms, car parking, bicycle parking and communal bin stores.

A protected structure, The Station Masters Building, is also set for refurbishment to provide garden space for residents.

The development will deliver 302 apartments in total by the end of 2025.

Although planning permission had been granted in November 2019, the BAM Ireland and Clarendon project was hit with a series of delays due to rising construction costs.

Last December, the Land Development Agency (LDA) swung in behind the project to kickstart construction.

Although planning permission had been granted in November 2019, the project had stalled until the Land Development Agency (LDA) jumped in last December. Credit: Larry Cummins

This manoeuvre is a part of Project Tosaigh, an initiative which frees land with full planning permission “that is not being developed by private sector owners due to financing and other constraints” in the hopes of accelerating the supply of affordable housing.

Most apartments will now be made available at cost-rental, which is 25% lower than the regular local market rate.

Feature Image Credit: Larry Cummins

Jan 12

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Green light for €330m Astellas facility in Kerry

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Kerry County Council has given the green light to Astellas €330 million plan to construct a new production facility.

The pharmaceutical company will build a new three-storey state-of-the-art facility at the IDA’s green-field site Kerry Technology Park near Tralee, Co Kerry.

The project will take place over two phases and will see the construction of a three-storey ‘FillFinish’ production building covering an overall floor area of 19,989 sqm.

A Central Utilies Building with a floor area of 663sqm

In Phase One, a woodchip boiler building, an electrical switch room, a security office building and a sprinkler pump house will all be built.

A wastewater pre-treatment plant with an associated storage tank will begin construction during Phase One. A second storage tank will be built during Phase Two.

Plans were submitted on November 2023 with the council approving on 19 December 2023.

Construction is expected to start later this year, creating an estimated 600 jobs.

Speaking during the announcement of the project, Astellas’ Chief Manufacturing Officer Hideki Shima said that the company “is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do.”

“With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.”

Michael Lohan, CEO at IDA welcomed the announcement as “excellent news for the South West region and indeed Ireland”.

“Astellas already has a presence in both Kerry and Dublin and this significant investment of approximately €330 million, adding a new state-of-the-art aseptic drug product facility, underscores the strategic importance Ireland plays in Astellas’ global operations.

“The new facility in Tralee will be built with sustainability at its core and will showcase Ireland and our regional attractiveness as a location for investment.”

Feature Image Credit: PM Group

Dec 21

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Green light for €202m housing development in Ashbourne, Meath

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

An Bord Pleanála has approved a €202 million housing development in Ashbourne.

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath.

In November, the planning body granted permission with 29 conditions.

Among these conditions, ABP ruled that around 185 of the homes (165 number houses and 20 number apartment/duplex units) shall be omitted from the plans – reducing the total residential units from the planned 702 to 517.

Arnub Ltd & Aspect Homes Ltd were given the green light to proceed with their plan of delivering hundreds of homes in the townlands of Baltrasna and Milltown, Ashbourne, Co Meath. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

All existing structures will be demolished on the site, including three single-storey dwellings and their associated outbuildings.

In its place, 255 houses and 262 apartments are to be built.

Of the homes, there will be a range of two to three-storey houses, from detached semi-detached and terraces and will offer up to two to five bedrooms.

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys.

ABP ruled that both Apartment Block A and Apartment Block B will be reduced in height by a single storey, dropping them down to a maximum of five to three storeys only.

Meanwhile, the apartments are set to have 18 three-bed duplex units and 244 one, two and three-bed apartments across 20 buildings ranging from three to six storeys. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Non-residential amenities will include two childcare care facilities located in Blocks A and A1, four retail units (two in Block A one in Block A1 and another in Block B1), and a GP practice in Block A1.

A hectare of space is also reserved for a future school site and a playing pitch to the west of the site.

A basement-level car park is planned for Block A1 with two undercroft car parks located at Block A and Block B1.

ABP ruled that visitor parking spaces at Unit Type G1 will be omitted and replaced with soft landscaping.

Vehicular access to the development is planned via Cherry Lane off the Dublin Road to the northeast and Hickey’s Lane off the Dublin Road to the east.

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Roads will be improved along Cherry Lane and Hickey’s Lane as part of the development.

A pedestrian/bicycle green link access point from Dublin Road (R135) is planned for the site, along with pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the development.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Dec 08

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

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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.

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.

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 20

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Feature Image Credit: David Creedon: Feasibility study 2018

Construction begins on €1bn Celtic Interconnector

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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 @EamonRyan and French Energy Minister @AgnesRunacher today marked the commencement of construction work on the Celtic Interconnector project.

🇮🇪 and 🇫🇷have also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on ‘Energy Transition Cooperation’🤝

Read more: https://t.co/hNuBUC9bL1 pic.twitter.com/3XyxavsLMr

— Dept. Environment, Climate and Communications (@Dept_ECC) November 13, 2023

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

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Plans applied for €66m residential development in Kerry

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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.

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.

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

Oct 04

2

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

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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.

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 01

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Green light for €313m 1,325 apartments in Cork’s city centre

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Cork City Council has approved plans for the largest residential development to date in the city centre.

Applicants Leeside Quays Ltd ( a subsidiary of O’Callaghan Properties) were given the go-ahead to deliver their €313 million plan for 1325 apartments on the Gouldings Site in Cork’s docklands.

The development will see the demolition of all existing buildings and structures on site (bounded by Centre Park and Monahan Road) to build the apartments and duplexes across 10 different buildings, running from two to 14 storeys over basement.

Of these apartments, 658 will be one-beds, 465 will be two-beds and 202 will be three-beds.

Of these 1325 apartments, 658 will be one-beds, 465 will be two-beds and 202 will be three-beds across 10 buildings varying from two to 14 storeys. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

The first block (G1) will comprise of 182 residential units (87 one-beds, 62 two-beds, and 33 three-beds), varying from five to eight storeys.

Block G2 will have 237 units (134 one-beds, 95 two-beds, and 44 three-beds) across six to eight storeys.

Block G3A is six to eight storeys and will comprise 103 units (63 one-beds, 24 two-beds and 16 three-beds).

Block G3B will have seven to eight storeys and just 77 units (44 one-beds, 20 two-beds and 13 three-beds).

Block G4A will range from three to seven storeys and provide 115 units (52 one-beds, 46 two-beds and 17 three-beds)

Block G4B comes up to seven storeys with 60 units (21 one-beds and 39 two-bed).

Block G5 has 162 units (75 one-beds, 54 two-beds and 33 three-beds), climbing up to three to seven storeys.

Block G6 will range from three to seven storeys at 172 units in total (83 one-beds, 58 two-beds and 31 three-beds).

Block G7 is at a similar height of three to seven storeys but with only 91 apartments (50 beds, 26 two-beds and 15 three-beds).

Finally, at the development’s tallest, is Block G8 rising up to an impressive 14 storeys and holding 172 apartments (50 one-beds, 26 two-beds and 15 three-beds).

A standalone two-storey creche of 665 s.q.m and associated outdoor amenities was also proposed in plans.

On the ground floor level across the 6.84ha development, four cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas are planned, as well as five service retail units, one convenience retail store with a licence to sell alcohol and four offices.

On the ground floor level across the 6.84ha development, four cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating areas are planned, as well as five service retail units, one convenience retail store with a licence to sell alcohol and four offices. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

The council also gave a gym of 233 sq.m the green-light, and further play and exercise areas will be allocated across the site (consisting of 25,384 sq.m of public open space).

Vehicular access will be provided to the basement with 300 car parking spaces in total (17 disability spaces, 60 EV spaces and five car share spaces) as well as 1,338 long-stay cycle park spaces and 30 motorcycle spaces.

An additional three disability spaces, 355 short-stay cycle parking spaces and two set-down areas will be distributed across the on-surface level.

A mobility hub is also proposed on Centre Park Road.

Cork City Council approved plans on August 24 subject to 51 conditions.

Cork City Council approved plans on August 24 subject to 51 conditions. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Among these conditions, the council ruled that the proposed creche would be omitted. Instead, the applicants will submit revised plans for the provision of a similar-sized creche within Block G5.

They also ruled that a maximum of 21 car-parking spaces will be allocated for non-residents.

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Jul 12

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Construction begins on €37m Strategic Housing Development in Meath

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Construction of the €37 million residential development at Grange End in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath is to begin this month.

On July 14, work is to get started on the building of 37 houses.

Among these houses, they will comprise three detached four-bed houses, eight semi-detached four beds, two detached three-beds, eight semi-detached three-beds and 16 terraced three-beds.

They will be numbered 15 & 16 Grange Park, 01-13 Grange Park Green, 01-06 Grange Park Road and 01-16 Grange Park Place, Dunshaughlin respectively.

Applicants Loughglynn Developments Ltd T/A Hora Homes previously secured planning for the demolition of two derelict buildings and the construction of 211 dwellings in total, consisting of 112 two-storey houses (21 four-beds, 92 three-beds) and 99 apartments.

The apartments will be built in six three-to-four-storey blocks with six one-beds, 90 two-beds and three three-beds.

Credit: Digital Dimensions

All residential dwellings will have associated private gardens, balconies or terraces to the north, south, west or west of the elevations.

Plans were granted for the provision of 362 car parking spaces and 264 secure bike parking spaces.

The construction of a creche is also included in plans alongside a new civic park.

Works to configure a 250m section of the Dunshaughlin (East) Main Distributor Road were approved along with provisions for new verges, paths and cycle lanes to be realigned along the R125 to create a new street.

Additional vehicular access is also underway.

With plans put forward in May 2020, An Bord Pleanála approved the Strategic Housing Development back in September 2020 under a number of conditions.

Among these conditions, it includes the omission of one house, a pedestrian and cycle path to be provided to the south of house number 3 and no more than 75 residential units to be occupied until the completion of the childcare facility (unless the developer can demonstrate to the planning authority that a childcare facility is not needed at that time).

Credit: Digital Dimensions

Developers were also to pay a financial contribution to the planning authorities in respect of public infrastructure and facilities prior to commencement of construction.

On top of that, they were expected to lodge a cash deposit, a bond of an insurance company, or other
security to the local authority to secure the protection of the trees on site and the completion and maintenance of roads, footpaths, watermains, drains, public open space and other services required in connection with the development.

Featured Image Credit: Digital Dimensions

Jul 06

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Approval granted for €290 m mixed development ‘Guinness Quarter’

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Dublin City Council has approved the €290 million mixed development of hotels, offices and housing at the Guinness brewery site.

To be built at a 12.5-acre site on James Street, the ‘Guinness Quarter’ will consist of a total of 336 residential units, two hotels (with 304 beds between them) and a number of buildings for office space.

Of these apartments, there will be 45 studios, 88 one-beds, three two-beds (for three people), 163 two-beds (for four people) and 37 three-beds built with 90 of these to be build-to-rent in a 16-storey building.

A new 300-seater performance space, a markethall, a foodhall, and various venues for retail, café, restaurant and pub spaces are to be constructed.

Dublin City Council has approved the €290 million mixed development of hotels, offices and housing at the Guinness brewery site. Credit: Model Works

One hotel will have 100 beds in total and will be four to six storeys in height, on the ground floor there’s to be a bar, reception, a meeting rooms and restaurant.

The other hotel will be bigger at 204 beds from four to six storeys and will include a rooftop bar and restaurant and also a swimming pool.

Ground Level will provide reception, toilets, bar, restaurant and ancillary front of house.

Dublin City Council also approved the provision of five new office buildings ranging in heights from eight to ten storeys.

A number of buildings are set to be demolished as part of the development alongside the reservation of a number of existing protected structures on the site.

A new 300-seater performance space, a markethall, a foodhall, and various venues for retail, café, restaurant and pub spaces are to be constructed. Credit: Model Works

Some of these protected structures include St James’s Gate, the original jome of Arthur Guinness 1 Thomas Street and the early Brewhouses 1 and 2 – these will all be restored and repurposed.

Dublin City Council approved Ballymore’s application subject to a number of conditions.

The build-to-rent apartments will not be used for short-term lettings in the “interests of orderly development and clarity”.

Ballymore must also pay a development contribution of €10.6 million to the local authority “in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting [the] development”.

This fee will be paid once the development commences.

Ballymore hailed the project as one ‘of the most exciting regeneration schemes in Europe’.

The development also has the ambition to become Dublin’s first Carbon Zero District.

Feature image credit: Model Works

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