Visual Lab, Galway Visual Lab, Galway

The Big Movers

Dublin rents are at an all-time high

The latest Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) rent index has revealed that rents have surpassed Celtic Tiger levels in Dublin – and risen by 10% nationwide.

First-time buyers will soon have a grant to help them on the property ladder

Housing Minister Simon Coveney says a new grant for first-time buyers will be introduced as part of the upcoming Budget in an effort to help ease the housing crisis.

Under Construction

Daft Daft

•  The National Assets Management Agency (Nama) has been found to have lost €220 million on the sale of its loan book, according to report by the Comptroller and Auditor General released this week. 
• Cork city is getting a new €90 million office block in the Albert Quay area of the city. It will be finished in 2018.
• Landlords could be offered up to five years’ rent upfront or up to €30,000 for vacant properties in an effort to resolve the housing crisis says Housing Minister Simon Coveney, according to a report in the Irish Independent.

Des Res

If you’re thinking about building your own home, this house was built in only two weeks using just an electric screwdriver. It features stacked recyclable wooden panels and insulation blocks, held together with timber screws.

Business Insider Business Insider

And Finally…

The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) annual conference Relevance, Resilience and Reach will take place on 25-26 November in the RDS, Dublin. Speakers will include Lenny Abrahamson and Kevin Barry.

Read: Construction to begin on ‘The Reflector’ office building in Dublin