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PLANNING PERMISSION FOR 316 apartments in two blocks, with one rising to 13 storeys, at Parkgate Street in Dublin 8 has been approved.
The housing scheme, close to Heuston Station, was proposed by Joe O’Reilly’s Ruirside Developments Ltd and is set to cost €124 million. It was approved by Dublin City Council as it concluded it was appropriate for the development of the area.
A report also cited the proposal’s proximity to good-quality public transport and that it would form part of a cluster of high-density, taller buildings located nearby. It also said it would not unduly impact existing amenities for residents in the area.
Planning permission has already been secured by the same company for a 30-storey apartment block, and separate eight storey housing scheme, as part of the same overall cluster in the locale.
Over 30 apartments in that scheme will be sold as social housing to the city council, at around €392,000 per unit. This price can be reviewed at a later date, under existing legislation.
Separately, according to the report, city planners believe the development would contribute to the built character of the area, and would not take away from or impact the visuals of the streetscape.
Ruirside Developments Ltd must make a €2.27 million contribution to the city council towards the provision of public infrastructure, according to one of the 24 conditions attached to the planning permission.
The site of the developments was last occupied by Hickey’s Wholesale Fabrics warehouse and head office for over 40 years, dating back to the 1970s.
The Montpelier Hill Residents’ Association expressed a number of concerns over the scheme, telling the council that the height of the apartment blocks were excessive and unprecedented, locally, for similar buildings.
Secretary of the association, Vikki Brennan, told the council that the apartment blocks “will not enhance our local community”.
While the resident group said it recognised that the site is earmarked for high-density developments, they argued that the proposal was overdeveloped as the street is adjacent to an architectural conservation area.
In a separate submission, the National Transport Authority welcomed the proposed development and said it represented the consolidation of residential development into a central location, beside a rail station, Luas line and range of existing bus services.
300 apartments at a cost of €124 million is over €413k per apartment. How much will they sell for?
@Wayne Logan: 500k+ for a view of who is coming/going from the courts
@Wayne Logan: 316 apartments at 124million, roughly 390k
@CP: You think they’ll be selling them at cost price? CP is right, they’ll be 500k upwards each
@Wayne Logan: I wouldn’t worry about it
@Jacob: it will also have incredible views of phoenix park and the gardens in kilmainham
@Wayne Logan: Let’s knock down the towers and 8 storey flats in ballymun. Bertie economics is coming home to roost. Let’s regenerate, ballymun? to no avail. FF politicians are nothing but spoofers. Bertie for president, why? He’s a seems like a likeable bloke.
Good, Dublin needs to build up, not out.
@Lone Hurler: it’s about time they copped on and we have to go upward rather than outwards with the price of land
@Lone Hurler: it will never be built.
@Lone Hurler: no problem with building up even in a long established area but I would be concerned that they will end up with another area like East Wall where houses are surrounded and overlooked by giants. I would have issue with the City planning department (not with the developers). There is no real forethought or designation of areas for high rise residential with appropriate infrastructure.
There was a map posted recently of a proposal by Dublin Corp to build two further ring roads outside the North & South Circular roads made in the 1930s/40s which would have allowed for new suburbs and traffic movement. Never built though, Development just went ahead to simply provide housing without context.
It looks like it belongs in a Gerry Anderson TV show. I can imagine Thunderbird 1 flying around it.
@Numinous20111: what a silly post. Did that sound funny in your head?
@Philip Kennedy: I thought it was a good observation actually. Did your reply sound clever in your head? How about when you typed it out and thought “yeah, that’s a banger, I’ll post that”
@Philip Kennedy: No, I honestly meant that reference. Take a look at a typical airport, or spaceport, in Anderson’s colour TV shows. It’s the thinness versus the height and the bright colouring that immediately made me think of Anderson’s production design.
@Jason Memail: who are you? It was a ” banger”
@Numinous20111: nothing like gerry Anderson or the tv show. Just your imagination.
@Jason Memail: how did you think it was a ‘ good observation ‘?. Know all.
@Philip Kennedy: Too many replies now , not a good look .
@Quinny: Thanks Quinny. Let me guess. Your second name is Quinn. Don’t lecture me. Quinny.
@Philip Kennedy: Can’t help yourself sure you can’t kennedy. Baby steps first and foremost, Philip. You’ll never get there, of course,but maybe you won’t get so angry.
I ask AI
And for your attention English not my mother tounge just in case some Limited minds laugh from my English
The housing gap and affordability crisis in Dublin, despite the availability of land, can be attributed to a combination of economic, social, and regulatory factors. In contrast, the Netherlands, with its smaller land area and higher population density, has managed to maintain relatively lower housing prices due to different policies, planning approaches, and cultural attitudes toward housing. Below is a detailed explanation of the factors contributing to Dublin’s housing challenges compared to the Netherlands:
—
### **1. Housing Demand and Supply Imbalance in Dublin**
– **Population Growth and Urbanization**: Dublin has experienced significant population growth due to urbanization, inward migration, and a young demographic. This has increased demand for housing, particularly in the city center and surrounding areas.
– **Insufficient Housing Supply**: Despite available land, the rate of housing construction has not kept pace with demand. This is partly due to lengthy planning processes, regulatory hurdles, and a reliance on private developers to deliver housing.
– **High Construction Costs**: Construction costs in Ireland are among the highest in Europe, driven by labor shortages, high material costs, and regulatory requirements. This makes it difficult to deliver affordable housing at scale.
– **Land Hoarding and Speculation**: Some landowners and developers hold onto land without developing it, waiting for its value to increase. This reduces the amount of land available for immediate housing development and drives up prices.
—
### **2. Planning and Regulatory Challenges**
– **Complex Planning System**: The planning permission process in Dublin is often slow and bureaucratic, leading to delays in housing projects. For example, the approval of the 316-apartment development on Parkgate Street took time and resources, which can deter smaller developers.
– **Height Restrictions and Zoning Laws**: Dublin has historically imposed height restrictions and strict zoning laws, limiting the development of high-density housing. While the 13-storey block in the Parkgate Street development is a step toward higher density, such projects are still relatively rare.
– **NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard)**: Local opposition to new developments, particularly high-density or affordable housing, can delay or block projects. This is often driven by concerns about overcrowding, traffic, or changes to the character of neighborhoods.
—
### **3. Affordability and Market Dynamics**
– **High Property Prices**: Dublin’s property prices are among the highest in Europe relative to income levels. This is driven by limited supply, high demand, and investor activity in the housing market.
– **Rental Market Pressures**: The rental market in Dublin is extremely competitive, with high rents and low vacancy rates. This is exacerbated by the lack of social and affordable housing options.
– **Investor Dominance**: A significant portion of new housing in Dublin is purchased by institutional investors or buy-to-let landlords, reducing the availability of homes for first-time buyers and families.
—
### **4. Policy and Funding Issues**
– **Underinvestment in Social Housing**: The Irish government has historically underinvested in social and affordable housing, relying heavily on the private market to meet housing needs. This has left many low- and middle-income households struggling to find suitable accommodation.
– **Lack of Long-Term Planning**: Housing policy in Ireland has often been reactive rather than proactive, leading to cyclical housing crises. There has been a lack of consistent, long-term planning to address housing needs.
—
### **5. Comparison with the Netherlands**
– **Efficient Land Use**: The Netherlands has a long history of efficient land use and spatial planning. Despite its small size, the country prioritizes high-density, mixed-use developments and invests heavily in public transportation to connect urban areas.
– **Strong Social Housing Sector**: The Netherlands has a robust social housing system, with a significant proportion of housing stock owned by housing associations. This ensures a steady supply of affordable housing for low- and middle-income households.
– **Proactive Government Role**: The Dutch government plays an active role in housing development, including land acquisition, planning, and funding. This reduces reliance on private developers and ensures that housing meets public needs.
– **Cultural Attitudes**: Dutch society generally accepts higher-density living and modern architecture, making it easier to build high-rise and high-density housing projects.
—
### **6. Solutions for Dublin**
– **Streamline Planning Processes**: Simplify and expedite planning permissions to encourage faster housing development.
– **Increase Density**: Relax height restrictions and promote high-density developments, particularly in well-connected areas like Parkgate Street.
– **Public Investment**: Increase government investment in social and affordable housing to reduce reliance on the private market.
– **Land Activation**: Implement policies to discourage land hoarding and incentivize the development of vacant or underutilized land.
– **Mixed-Use Developments**: Encourage mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to create vibrant, sustainable communities.
—
In summary, Dublin’s housing crisis is a result of systemic issues in planning, policy, and market dynamics, while the Netherlands has managed to mitigate similar challenges through proactive government intervention, efficient land use, and a strong social housing sector. Addressing Dublin’s housing gap will require a multifaceted approach that prioritizes affordability, density, and long-term planning.
@sakk sa: there is a character count on my posts. What witchcraft is this sir ?
@Furious George – The Wasp: I think the character limit is only on the mobile app, I am open to correction though.
@sakk sa: What is a housing association and how does it work?
@sakk sa: dont think we needed AI for this. I am part of a community association in a large development and we’ve been saying all of this for years and I suspect even the doorman of the Dail knows it too. The issue is not knowing the root cause, it’s the political will to do something about it
@sakk sa: Chat GPT is good isn’t it?
@Oh Mammy: Fffg.. it doesn’t and never will work .you’re welcome.
Another generic looking dower square block. No imagination at all. In 40 years time it will look like all the blocks of the 70′s era today – miserable, dated, unattractive and uninviting. An opportunity lost. Similar to the needle in O’ Connell Street. An opportunity lost.
@Thomas Meaney: there will always be some ape complaining. This is quite a nice looking building actually, unlike the red brick – white PVC window combination that has plagued Dublin.
@Thomas Meaney: many of us quite like the spire though
@Thomas Meaney: fancy curves add a lot to building costs, just look at the childrens hospital as an example. And if your up there looking out your apartment window, I doubt you want to pay an extra 300k so the person on the ground looking back is thinking “that such a lovely looking apartment block”.
@Thomas Meaney: Spot on… couldn’t agree with you more Man. How were we able to construct such beautiful buildings back in the day that have stood the test of time and now THIS?? Cladding and glazing it looks absolutely awful from the plans, nevermind in 15 years time.
@eoin fitzpatrick: all 4 of ye yeah! There was one opportunity to be clever and inventive, to create a talking point, something that stands out, something that a tourist would actually remember…..and they put up a needle.
@eoin fitzpatrick: it’s because it’s funny. All those people thinking it’s wonderful. While us Dubs just laugh at it.
The building in the picture has over 20 floors
@Oh Mammy: 28 floors by my count assuming each window on the end is a floor, maybe every 2 windows is a floor?
It does look taller than 13 in the picture, odd that they chose that picture
@Paddy Short: there is phallic joke in there somewhere…….
@Oh Mammy: That’s just your immature mind. But hey, each to their own.
Bit over the top.
@Brenda Malloy: not exactly. But the fire department will need to spend some money on longer ladders
Are they going to actually do anything with the rest of the wasted spaces in the area, Conyingham road has at least 3 dilapidated buildings that need to be demolished including the old garage, how about some shops and cafes, etc just outside the park entrance?
@Adam J: and a tram track that goes up Chesterfield avenue in the park. Wouldn’t cost that much but would create a vibrant park
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: it wouldn’t cost that much. Hahahaah. You’re a right funny man johnnie
We need more of this, at least 10 such towers. Works just fine in China and they have between 20 and 32 floors
@no no no: Yes tofu dreg Chinese trash is working fine! Aside that, it’s important to build up.
Like others have commented here, whilst we need to build up, it could be done in a visually interesting way, instead of the most bland and generic tower block design. Why? Because developers don’t care about visual impact in Dublin
@Niall Doherty:
Because those bland and generic apartments are still going to cost about 500k each.
Visually interesting would likely increase the costs.
@Niall Doherty: Given the housing crisis I don’t think that should be your primary concern.
You know what else doesn’t enhance the local community? Homelessness.
@Fishlord “Fishlord_Username” Username: Every single comment on here, whingers you can’t win with Irish people….lack of houses lack of houses, ok I’ll build some….ah feck that’s not acceptable!!!! Nothing is good enough for the Irish people whingebags!!!!!
Looks like a good wind would knock that over.
Arab viewing tower.
Why not lock in the price of apartments for social and affordable. They will only double once ground is broken. Clown city.
@Sickof thisshit: they’re being built by a private developer not a housing body
@Sickof thisshit: Can anything be built in this country without the ‘whatabout social and affordable’…plenty of people working that want to buy their own place.
@John Paul: the percentage of units are in the terms of the development you clowns. But the prices are not
Outstanding
The only way is up .
Fun fact. During the 1916 rising the women working in that building were making shells for the British army war effort.
Don’t forget the second episode of gerry hutch RTE1 at 9.35 tonight
@Razor Mulligan:
Why ?
OMG 13 STORIES…. Thirteen stories people…. Move over Central Park (and Shenzhen) we have a genuine statement piece of European architecture
Are they building them for trainspotters?
Wow I thought is insanity would never stop! Build up like every other major city mother of god paddy!!
@SirMr: This# my big thumbs again
Are these build to rent ? Or to purchase? There are too many build to rent apartments with the H.A.P covering it
Vulture’s are doing well
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