Latest news with #SteveCassidy
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.'
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin's Independent House earmarked for student housing under new plan
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 Dublin. In granting planning permission, the council said 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 272 rooms in 42 clusters ranging from five bed spaces to nine bed spaces at Independent House at 87 to 93 Middle Abbe Street. 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'. READ MORE 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 noteed '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. Summix advisor in Ireland, Steve Cassidy on Monday said his company welcomes the 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. '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,' he added. 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 more than two decades. In a submission, chief executive of the Heritage Council, Virginia Teehan said '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.'
The Journal
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Nine-storey student accommodation block planned for former site of Independent Newspapers
BRITISH DEVELOPER SUMMIX is to lodge plans in the coming days for a nine storey student accommodation block on the former site of the Independent Newspapers HQ on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin. In the published statutory planning notice, it states that Summix IHD Developments Ltd is to lodge a Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) application with Dublin City Council comprising a 316 student bed-space scheme. The notice states that the standard and accessible 272 rooms will be provided 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 student spaces are to be used as short term lets during student holiday periods. The scheme is to involve the construction of a part nine storey over basement building connecting into the retained protected structures. Asked to comment on the planning application, Summix advisor in Ireland, Steve Cassidy said on Friday that the student housing planning application for the former headquarters of Independent Newspapers 'will include the preservation and reuse of the two striking buildings on Abbey Street'. Advertisement He said: 'The original printing hall to the rear is also to be preserved and used for cultural and community uses.' He said that the rear site which stretches to Princes Street at the GPO arcade will be redeveloped to provide the student bedrooms 'with the ground floor on Abbey Street and Princes street also providing retail accommodation'. He said that the proposal also involves the widening and upgrading of Williams Lane linking Abbey Street and Princes Street. Cassidy said: 'Summix are very excited about this prime city centre project. When completed the development will preserve the protected Independent House and Emerald Chambers buildings and the original printing hall and will also add badly needed accommodation to the significantly undersupplied student housing market in central Dublin. 'The addition of retail accommodation along with the students themselves will contribute to the vibrancy of this key city centre area'. On a timeline for the project, Cassidy said: 'Assuming planning is granted later this year or early next year it is expected that construction will commence immediately with the building likely to open in 2028.' 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.
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
British developer to lodge plans for student accommodation block at former site of Independent Newspapers HQ
In the published statutory planning notice, it states that Summix IHD Developments Ltd is to lodge a Large Scale Residential Development (LRD) application with Dublin City Council comprising a 316 student bed-space scheme. The notice states that the standard and accessible 272 rooms will be provided 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 student spaces are to be used as short term lets during student holiday periods. The scheme is to involve the construction of a part nine storey over basement building connecting into the retained protected structures. Asked to comment on the planning application, Summix advisor in Ireland, Steve Cassidy said on Friday that the student housing planning application for the former headquarters of Independent Newspapers 'will include the preservation and reuse of the two striking buildings on Abbey Street'. He said: 'The original printing hall to the rear is also to be preserved and used for cultural and community uses.' He said that the rear site which stretches to Princes Street at the GPO arcade will be redeveloped to provide the student bedrooms 'with the ground floor on Abbey Street and Princes street also providing retail accommodation'. He said that the proposal also involves the widening and upgrading of Williams Lane linking Abbey Street and Princes Street. Mr Cassidy said: 'Summix are very excited about this prime city centre project. When completed the development will preserve the protected Independent House and Emerald Chambers buildings and the original printing hall and will also add badly needed accommodation to the significantly undersupplied student housing market in central Dublin. 'The addition of retail accommodation along with the students themselves will contribute to the vibrancy of this key city centre area." On a timeline for the project, Mr Cassidy said: 'Assuming planning is granted later this year or early next year it is expected that construction will commence immediately with the building likely to open in 2028.' 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.
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Plans for 316-bed student accommodation in former Independent Newspapers HQ
Plans for a nine storey student accommodation block on the former site of the Independent Newspapers headquarters in Dublin city centre will be lodged by British developer Summix in the coming days In the published statutory planning notice, Summix IHD Developments Ltd says it intends lodging a Large Scale Residential Development application with Dublin City Council to develop a 316 student bed-space scheme in Middle Abbey Street. The notice states that 272 standard and accessible rooms will be provided 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 intention is to use the student spaces as short-term lets during student holiday periods. READ MORE The scheme will involve the construction of a part nine storey over basement building connected to retained protected structures on the site. Asked to comment on the application, Summix's Irish adviser, Steve Cassidy, said on Friday that the student housing scheme would 'include the preservation and reuse of the two striking buildings on Abbey Street'. He said: 'The original printing hall to the rear is also to be preserved and used for cultural and community uses.' The rear part of the site, which stretches to Princes Street at the GPO arcade, will be redeveloped to provide the student bedrooms 'with the ground floor on Abbey Street and Princes street also providing retail accommodation'. He said that the proposal also involves the widening and upgrading of Williams Lane linking Abbey Street and Princes Street. 'Summix are very excited about this prime city centre project,' Mr Cassidy said. 'When completed, the development will preserve the protected Independent House and Emerald Chambers buildings and the original printing hall and will also add badly needed accommodation to the significantly undersupplied student housing market in central Dublin. 'The addition of retail accommodation along with the students themselves will contribute to the vibrancy of this key city centre area'. On a timeline for the project, Mr Cassidy said: 'Assuming planning is granted later this year or early next year, it is expected that construction will commence immediately with the building likely to open in 2028.' The planning application comes almost a year after Summix Capital purchased Independent House from Penney's owner, Primark, in a deal understood to be worth about €9 million. The building closed in the early 2000s and has been vacant for over two decades.
