Latest news with #LargeScaleResidentialDevelopment
The Journal
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Former Irish Independent HQ to become nine-storey student accommodation block
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has given the green light to British developer Summix for a nine-storey student accommodation block on the former site of the Independent Newspapers HQ on Middle Abbey Street. In granting planning permission, the city council has stated that it 'welcomes and supports the restoration and adaptation of the vacant protected structures to provide high quality professionally managed student accommodation'. The Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) application comprises a 316 student bed-space scheme and is made up of standard and accessible 272 rooms in 42 clusters ranging from five bed spaces to nine bed spaces at 87 to 93 Middle Abbey Street known collectively as Independent House. The Council concluded that 'the development provides a significant opportunity to restore and reuse these vacant protected structures with significant frontage to Middle Abbey Street'. The planner's report found that 'the activity generated from the use along with the secondary retail uses will increase footfall and activity in this area and overall improve the vitality of this area of the north city centre'. The Council planner also pointed in addition 'the proposed regeneration of Williams Lane is a positive planning gain that will revitalise the connection between Prince's Street and Middle Abbey Street'. The student spaces are to be used as short term lets during student holiday periods. Advertisement The scheme is to involve the construction of a part nine storey over basement building connecting into the retained protected structures. Summix advisor in Ireland, Steve Cassidy on Monday stated that Summix welcomes the Council decision. Mr Cassidy said: 'We are excited to deliver much-needed, high-quality accommodation in this key central location. The scheme thoughtfully combines the sensitive restoration of the site's protected structures with the delivery of new, purpose-built homes to the rear. Mr Cassidy added: 'Once complete, the development will make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing regeneration of the area and aligns strongly with the Government's recently announced initiative to revitalise Dublin's city centre'. As part of the scheme the original printing hall to the rear is also to be preserved and used for cultural and community uses. The planning application comes almost one year after Summix Capital purchased Independent House from Penney's owner, Primark in a deal understood to be worth about €9m. The building closed in the early 2000s and has been vacant for over two decades. In a submission, ceo of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan told the Council 'that the benefits of bringing active uses to the nationally significant Independent House, and Emerald Chambers, the interventions to which are generally acceptable, will have a positive benefit to the north inner city, on one of its most prominent streets.'
Business Mayor
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Planning permission sought for Clonskeagh student homes
A Bain Capital backed firm is to lodge plans for 439 purpose built student bed spaces for the former Smurfit Paper Mills site at Clonskeagh in Dublin 6. In the planning application, Bain Capital vehicle, Harley Issuer DAC is seeking planning permission for the beds across five blocks from one storey to part seven storeys along with 16 apartments. The Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) also includes the extension and renovation of 14 existing homes at Clonskeagh Road. In lodging the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) plans, the firm is looking to tap into the lucrative market for student housing in south Dublin. The 2023/2024 annual report by University College Dublin (UCD) shows it generated €42.8 million in 'rental income from student residences on campus' in the 12 months to the end of September last. The planned scheme is 1km north-west of UCD's Belfield campus, and a report with the application states that excluding overseas students, the total UCD student population is currently 37,899. The new LRD plan supersedes a permitted five apartment scheme for the site where planning permission is due to expire in June of this year. An accompanying planning report by consultant, John Spain, states that 'the scale of the proposed development is considered to integrate appropriately with its surroundings, whilst introducing increased height'. Mr Spain also states that the proposal constitutes' the sustainable development of these underutilised lands and will enhance the appearance of the site'. The Spain report states that the proposed PBSA scheme, which will provide 439 purpose built student bedspaces 'will fulfil an identified need for student accommodation for UCD'. Read More Ryanair agrees partnership deal with Expedia The planning report adds that the scheme 'represents a suitable form, design and scale of development for this strategically located underutilised site, which will provide for an effective and efficient use of this site which is highly accessible and well served by public transport'. In a separate 'Student Accommodation Demand, Concentration and Justification Report' by John Spain Associates, it states that the provision of a purpose-built and managed student accommodation scheme 'will accommodate some of the student population currently living in privately rented accommodation in the area in the new development'.
