Dublin | Building Information Ireland

Mar 14

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Renewed bid for €68m Office Development at former City Arts Centre in Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | Industry News

Developers Ventaway Limited have renewed their bid to build a €68 million office development at the former City Arts Centre in Dublin.

After An Bord Pleanala shot down previous plans, the new proposal seeks to construct a building 14 storeys in height. This is a far cry from the initially proposed 24-storey building.

The plan will see the demolition of all existing buildings on site. Structures under a Dangerous Buildings Notice may be demolished before the Council decides.

The building is primarily for office use but will also include an arts centre, a café and an auditorium.

The proposed arts centre will remain on the ground and lower ground floor levels.

Offices will occupy space from the ground to the 13th floor.

A double basement will provide parking spaces, including 11 car parking spaces, 314 bicycle spaces and three motorcycle parking spaces.

Developers Ventaway Limited have renewed their bid to build a €68 million office development at the former City Arts Centre in Dublin. Credit: Henry J Lyons

A further 16 short-stay bicycle spaces will be available at ground floor level along the western site boundary.

Although the building will be shorter than previously planned, it will be wider with a gross floor area of 28,569 sq.m, including 910 sq.m. arts centre and 23,501 sq.m. offices;

This is up from the 22,587 sq.m. for office space in the refused plan.

Ventaway first submitted plans for the site in 2022, at 24 storeys it was projected to be Dublin’s tallest building.

However, Dublin City Council refused permission with An Bord Pleanala upholding this decision in 2024.

In their report, the board found that the building would “seriously detract from the setting and character of the Custom House and environs”.

ABP further believed that it would “stand apart as an overly assertive solo building”.

The City Arts Centre

The site has been largely out of use since 2003 when The City Arts Centre vacated the spot.

The organisation was set up in 1973 in response to a growing need for an art and culture centre for working-class teenagers living in the inner-city during a time of economic turmoil.

Although occupying a number of spaces during its lifespan, its Moss Street location was its most prolific.

The band U2 moved into the centre in 1988, providing fully equipped rehearsal spaces for starting-up bands in the basement.

At the time, it was the largest centre of its kind in Ireland.

It was liquidated in 2012.

Feature Image Credit: Henry J Lyons

Oct 08

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

By Danny O Shea | 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

Jul 01

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Work Begins On New €49m Dublin HQ for Deloitte

By Danny O Shea | 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 Danny O Shea | 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

May 29

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Plans applied for new €190m film and TV studio in South Dublin

By Danny O Shea | Building Information Ireland

Plans have been put forward for a brand new €190 million film and TV studio at Grange Castle Media Park in south Dublin.

Applicants Lens Media Ltd are seeking to construct a state-of-the-art stage and studio development on the 56-acre site in Newcastle, Co Dublin.

It will be known as ‘Dublin Fields’.

Plans include constructing six stage buildings, ranging in height between 20m and 23m and comprising 11 internal sound stages with overhead catwalks and two-storey production offices.

The combined floor space of these buildings will be around 35,187 square meters.

Another four buildings will work as workshops, varying in height from nine to 10.5 metres – these will include internal workshop areas, staff toilets and showers, ICT rooms, plant rooms, and switch rooms.

Building 4 will comprise a reception and three TV studios, each studio at 17.8 metres in flight. Spanning three floors, it will include a backstage shooting area, green rooms, hair and makeup rooms, production suites with ancillary offices, wardrobe and a laundry room.

On the ground floor, we will see technical support offices, both a vision and a lighting department, offices, sound control rooms, vision rooms, recording rooms and toilets.

Standard dressing rooms, post-production spaces, kitchen and crew area, toilets, mechanical/electrical room and technical office will be found on the first floor.

More star dressing rooms, TV post production, a lounge a kitchen and toilets will be on the second floor.

A single storey reception building will include guest holding areas, VIP and Guest service, security offices, staff toilets, showers and locker rooms.

A two-storey dining hall will feature indoor and outdoor dining areas, a kitchen, storage and mechanical rooms, toilets, and three meeting rooms on the ground floor. The first floor will offer office space and covered outdoor balconies. An ancillary 100-seat theatre will also be included in the building.

A standalone café will be constructed.

A three-storey car park will provide 438 car parking spaces, including 100 EV and 27 disabled spaces.

A vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian entrance will come from the new Grange Castle West Access Road, on the eastern boundary of the site.

Vehicular access will also be available at the southeastern corner of the site.

Lens Media, which is backed by Irish producer Alan Moloney (Siege of Jadotville and Brooklyn) and Oscar-nominated American Producer Gary Levinsohn (Saving Private Ryan), submitted plans to South Dublin City Council last month.

Feature Image Credit: MCA Architects

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 02

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Construction begins on €72.5m Citywest Drive SHD in Dublin

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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 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 11

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Construction of 1200 homes begins in Donabate

By Aoibhin Bryant | 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.

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.

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

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

Dublin | Building Information Ireland

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