News - Building Information Ireland

Sep 01

0

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

Aug 22

0

Work on €124m Strategic Housing Development in Cork commences

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work has officially begun for the expansive €124 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) in Co Cork.

Construction commenced in late July, three years after initial approval for the scheme.

Developer Longview Estates Ltd is set to deliver 753 new homes on the site at Lahardane and Ballincolly.

Of these dwellings, 531 will be houses and 222 are apartments.

Granted seven-year permission from An Bord Pleanala, construction will take place during a series of phases with the aim of six neighbourhoods to be built in total.

There will be 67 no. detached houses, including 31 four-beds and 36 three-beds.

Credit: Arko Visualisation

Semi-detached make up the bulk of the houses of 278 – 41 four-beds and 237 three-beds.

Plans also envision 186 terraced houses, 18 four-beds, 96 three-beds and 72 two-beds.

In regards to the apartments, there will be 69 duplexes – including 36 three-beds and 33 two-beds.

For the other 153 apartments, six are studios, 42 are one-beds, 79 are two-beds and 26 are three-beds.

The apartments will be built across three blocks, two in Neighbour 6 and one in Neighbourhood 2.

Aside from residential units, there are provisions for a local centre including two retail units, a crèche, a doctor’s surgery and a community use unit.

Credit: Horgan Carroll

The development includes a number of open spaces and play areas as well as general landscaping, boundary treatments (including walls and landscaping to the houses to the north and lands to the east), and landscaped parkland/greenway.

Two vehicular accesses will be set up from the Ballyhooly Read and from the local road to the north of the site – this will see local road widening within applicant lands, resurfacing and boundary works.

Signalisation will occur on the Lower Dublin Hill and Ballyhooly Road Junction as well as a new bus stop on the eastern side of Ballyjollly Road.

New pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure will be drawn along the eastern side of the Ballyhooly Road with a crossing of the same close to Mervue Lawn South.

Planning was granted by An Bord Pleanala on May 27, 2020 subject to 31 conditions.

In their decision report, ABP found that the development will have a “positive impact” on population and “will comply with the national target for the expansion of major cities”.

“Impact on human health will be neutral in the long-term.”

Feature Image Credit: Arko Visualisation

Aug 11

0

Work begins for £117m 778 new homes in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Work is underway for the construction of 778 new homes in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

Preparatory construction work began in July for the £117 million development, right beside the city’s most popular tourist attraction Titanic Belfast.

The Loft Lines will provide Belfast’s first ever ”build-to-rent” apartments, alongside social housing, with the website stating that they have learnt from the “Swiss approach to living”.
.
On a 3.8 acre site, the apartments will be split among three buildings and will include studios, one-bed, two-beds and three-beds.

Internal and external amenity spaces are in current provisions – including spaces for co-working and leisure.

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

Credit: Todd Architects

Flexible commercial and community floor space has been reserved for convenience stores with a hot food counter, a cafe, a bar and a restaurant.

In regards to public realm changes, both a public recreational square and a waterfront promenade skirting along the River Lagan are planned for the development, situated on Queen’s Island.

Cycle and car parking will be provided with developers stating their intention to “prioritise pedestrians and bikes over cars” – this includes bike storage with wash down and repair facilities and covered storage for visitors’ cycles.

Although applicants Lacuna Developments, Watkin Jones PLC and Pirrie Belfast Limited secured approval in April 2022, it was announced in October that commencement would be delayed until “at least spring 2023” due to the financial climate.

By June of this year, a contract was awarded to Graham Construction and construction has now officially begun.

Completion of the apartments is expected in late 2025.

Credit: @niplanner

All private apartments will be run by an onsite management team and monthly rent payments will include gym and wi-fi.

On The Loft Lines website, the development has been hailed as a “new way of living for people of all ages, incomes and occupations”.

“It’s a fully managed site of private, affordable and social homes surrounded by walkways, boulevards, a park and an urban woodland. It’s a place where lifestyle is scaled up.”

Feature Image Credit: Todd Architects

Jul 28

0

Construction underway for €66m, 276 unit housing development in Cork

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Construction of the €66 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD) in Ardrostig and Waterfall Road, Co Cork has officially kicked off.

This month, work began on the building of 28 homes at Ardarostig, Waterfall Road, Co Cork.

These are the first of 276 residential units planned at the site – 136 houses, 99 apartments and 40 duplexes.

Of the houses, there are set to be 40 two-storey, three-bedroom semi-detached houses, 12 two-storey, three-bedroom detached houses, 56 two-storey, three-bedroom terraced houses, 14 two-storey, four-bedroom semi-detached houses and 15 three-storey, four-bedroom terraced houses.

The apartments and duplexes will be across seven blocks ranging from three to five storeys with a total of 54 one-bed apartments, 65 two-beds and 20 three-beds.

One block (Block 5 in plans) is to provide a café (147 sq. m) fronting Waterfall Road at ground floor level.

This month, work began on the building of 28 homes at Ardarostig, Waterfall Road, Co Cork of the of the €66 million Strategic Housing Development (SHD). Credit: 3D Design Bureau

As part of the development, a single-storey creche (271 sq. m) is included in the plans.

The development will also provide new vehicular access and pedestrian entrances onto Waterfall Road, a two-way cycle track and pedestrian footpath.

Provisions have been made for a road to extend the existing pedestrian pathway, a pelican crossing on Waterfall Road and an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing at the Heiton Buckley/Audi Cork entrance junction to the site.

Developers Ardstone Homes Limited had put forward a planning application for the SHD in May 2021, with approval granted with conditions in September of that year.

An Bord Pleanála ruled that although granting permission to the site “would materially contravene specific local objective SE-R-10 in permitting a density of 38.7 units per hectares, in excess of the Medium B densitv range outlined in the Local Area Plan”, it would be justified due to the “national importance” in its delivery of building housing and the Project Ireland National Planning Framework.

Nearly two years on from the approval date, work officially started on July 20 this year.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Jul 12

0

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

0

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

Jun 27

0

Construction to begin of €97million co-living space in Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | Upcoming Construction Projects

Construction is set to begin for the €97 million co-living space at the Old Glass Factory on Cork Street in Co Dublin.

Work on a part four to part seven-storey building over basement with 377 bedspaces will commence on July 3.

Of these bed spaces, 357 are to be single occupancy rooms, eight are to be single occupancy accessible rooms and six will be double occupancy rooms with circulation cores.

A communal kitchen, living and dining room will be on each floor to serve residents.

On the ground floor, a café will be constructed alongside a communal residential amenity space which will also be at the basement level.

Construction is set to July 3 for the €97 million co-living space at the Old Glass Factory on Cork Street in Co Dublin. Credit: 3D Design Bureau

This amenity space includes provisions for a reception/shared communal area, a communal lounge/social room, a cinema and yoga space, a gymnasium and a library and workspaces.

Resident support facilities such as a laundry, a post room, accessible toilets at ground floor level, a staff room, a bin store and landscaped amenity gardens will be provided.

From the first to the fourth floor, an external balcony/terrace facing south will be accessed from the communal living, kitchen and dining rooms.

On the fifth floor, there will be a roof garden facing north, south and west as well as a balcony/terrace facing south.

Another balcony/terrace facing south will be on the sixth floor.

The development also proposed a pedestrian connection between Cork Street and John Street South along the eastern boundary and car, motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces.

Although co-living schemes are now banned, planning approval was obtained before the official ban came into place in December 2020.

Approval was granted by An Bord Pleanála on the condition that the number of units be reduced to 19.

The development received several objections from both local residents and councillors.

Work officially commenced in December 2022 with the demolition of existing buildings including 118-122 Cork Street and all associated outbuildings.

Feature Image Credit: 3D Design Bureau

Jun 02

0

Construction of 570 new homes at former Irish Glass Bottle site begins

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

The construction of nearly 600 new apartments has begun at the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Phase 1 of the €140m Apartment Developments plan, submitted by a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate, Lioncor Development, Oaktree Capital Ireland Ltd and Pembroke Beach DAC, kicked off in late May.

This phase of the ‘Pembroke Quarter’ plan will see the building of the mixed commercial and residential Blocks K, M and O on a site of 15.3 hectares (adjacent to Sean Moore Road and Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA club).

With 570 apartments in total, there are set to be 83 three-beds, 277 two-beds, 177 one-beds and 33 studio apartments.

While the majority will be privately owned or build-to-rent units, one-quarter of these units have been allocated for social and affordable housing.

Phase 1 of the €140m Apartment Developments plan, submitted by a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate, Lioncor Development, Oaktree Capital Ireland Ltd and Pembroke Beach DAC, kicked off in late May. Credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

Blocks K, M and O are set to be built over a single-storey basement and consist of four buildings in total (Block M will comprise of two separate structures: a larger block and a smaller townhouse block).

A commercial element is also included with Block K to provide a childcare facility, two retail units and a café restaurant on the ground floor.

The site will provide 916 bicycle parking spaces and 166 car parking spaces.

As the first phase of the Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone Planning Scheme, this construction begins the development of the ‘new suburb’.

The consortium is looking to transform the dockland site which has remained vacant since the glass bottle factory’s closure in 2002.

The project hopes to deliver around 3,800 homes in total as well as 1 million square feet of commercial space, community amenities, schools, parks and open space.

‘Our ambition is to transform the former brownfield lands into a vibrant, integrated urban neighbourhood within walking distance of Dublin city centre; a new city quarter at Dublin Bay,’ the Ronan Group website reads.

The Poolbeg West Strategic Development Zone Planning Scheme,hopes to deliver around 3,800 homes in total as well as 1 million square feet of commercial space, community amenities, schools, parks and open space. Credit: Glassbottle.ie

While Dublin City Council approved Phase One in March of last year, subsequent phases of the project will be subject to their own separate planning applications.

Planners expect that the development in total will take about a decade to complete.

Feature image credit: Henry J Lyons Architects

May 26

0

Green light for AztraZeneca’s €37million extension to Blanchardstown plant

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

AstraZeneca had received approval for their €37 million plan to extend their manufacturing plant in Blanchardstown.

Fingal County Council gave the go-ahead for the ‘next generation’ expansion submitted by AstraZeneca’s subsidiary Alexion Pharma Operations International Ltd.

The development includes a brand new five-storey Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing building at their 18.5-hectare site at College Business & Technology Park.

In support of this new manufacturing building, a new two-storey chemical materials store, a new four-storey laboratory building and a medium voltage electrical building will be constructed.

There are also provisions for extensions to the existing warehouse building, including alterations which were previously permitted.

Two yards are to be installed – the first, a chemical material yard, including a liquid nitrogen storage tank, scrubbers and a thermal oxidiser abatement unit.

The other a manufacturing building utilities yard including chillers and other miscellaneous plant and equipment.

There will be an extension to the existing high-level pipe rack connecting all existing and new buildings and yard areas and two new diesel generators and storage tanks.

Further modifications to the site were given the seal of approval, including the attrition of 200 new car park spaces on the eastern side of the site and the expansion of the site’s existing stormwater attenuation/fire water retention pond.

The development is projected to generate 105 additional jobs for the Alexion Biopharmaceutical Campus.

In documents submitted with the planning application, the development is scheduled to take 25 months for construction with hopes it will be fully operational from the first quarter of 2026.

The environmental impact statement (EIS) stated that the facility would use “the latest technology, ideas and digital innovation to meet the needs of the Alexion’s developing portfolio and produce life-saving medicine for patients worldwide”.

No objections were lodged against the proposal and the council approved the plans this month subject to 19 conditions.

Feature image credit: PM Group

Apr 26

0

UCC gets approval for €42m new Cork Business School

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Cork City Council has approved plans for a €42 million extension to University College Cork (UCC).

Plans will see the transformation of the 0.66ha site on Copley Street, South Terrace, Union Quay and Stable Lane into a brand new home for Cork University Business School (CUBS), relocating over 4,000 students and 200 staff into the city centre.

The development will see the demolition of all buildings to make way for the construction of a structure ranging from three to six storeys in height.

Plans will see the transformation of the 0.66ha site on Copley Street, South Terrace, Union Quay and Stable Lane into a brand new home for Cork University Business School (CUBS), relocating over 4,000 students and 200 staff into the city centre. Credit: G-Net 3D

It will include lecture theatres, academic offices, study and teaching areas, a restaurant and service rooms, a coffee dock and storage areas for bicycles.

The site on 18 and 19 South Terrace will be renovated to provide both a cafe and a study space, demolishing the two-storey rear extension and boundary wall at 18 South Terrace in the process.

Landscaping provisions are also in place to build a courtyard garden accessed via South Terrace, with a rooftop terrace and a rooftop garden.

The development will see the demolition of all buildings to make way for the construction of a building ranging from three to six storeys in height. Credit: G-Net 3D

In regards to the public realm, the footpath on Coley Street will be widened, a pedestrian crossing at the western end of Copley Street is planned and existing car parking spaces on Copley Street are set to be realigned for a mobility access space and loading bay.

In its application statement, agent McCutcheon Halley Chartered Planning Consultants stated that the campus would help the city “to develop and compete on an international scale and to accommodate the projected 50-60% increase in its population up to 2040”.

Submitted in December 2022, UCC sought to change the site’s use from builder’s providers/storage to educational use.

Cork City Council granted permission subject to conditions on April 18.

Feature Image Credit: G-Net 3D

Follow us on Twitter

Building Information Ireland