THE NATIONAL Asset Management Agency (Nama) will have to decide whether it should fund the completion of developer Liam Carroll’s half-built development in Dublin’s docklands following yesterday’s decision by An Bord Pleanála that the structure can be retained and completed.
The original planning permission for the residential and commercial buildings was given by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority as part of its fast-track process but was rescinded in 2008 by the High Court, in a case taken by Sean Dunne.
After the ruling Mr Dunne, who has a nearby development, wanted Mr Carroll’s half completed structure demolished.
Mr Carroll’s company, North Quay Investments Limited, successfully got permission from Dublin City Council to retain the structure and to complete it. However that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Mr Dunne’s company, North Wall Quay Property Development Limited, part of the Mountbrook Homes group. Yesterday the Dunne appeal was dismissed.
The development was to house a new headquarters for Anglo Irish Bank, which has funded the project to date.
A court hearing last year heard it would cost €8 million to clad the buildings and a further €60 million to complete them.
Mr Carroll’s companies had drawn down €40 million from Anglo as of last June to finance the development.
Mr Carroll’s loans have been moved to Nama. As one of the first and largest 10 developers to have had loans moved to the agency, Mr Carroll’s group will have to submit business plans to Nama before it will release any further funding.
The agency has a €5 billion fund for investment in projects where it believes it can increase its overall return if it completes unfinished projects.
The docklands buildings, which form part of the collateral for Mr Carroll’s loans, have arguably increased in value because of yesterday’s decision.
The three-block, seven- to eight-storey development was to have housed a new HQ for Anglo and for Evershed O’Donnell Sweeney solicitors, which acted for Carroll.
Anglo, which is now nationalised, has announced it has withdrawn from its agreement to move to the Carroll building, though it is not known how much it paid to be released from its agreement.
Nor is it known how long a lease or at what rate Anglo had contracted for. A note in its 2009 accounts said withdrawal from the agreement reduced the bank’s future rent by €101 million.
The current board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority has expressed misgivings about aspects of the development, not least the multiple involvements of Anglo Irish Bank.
The bank’s former chairman, Sean FitzPatrick, was on the board of the authority while also being a director of the bank.
The authority’s current chairwoman, Prof Niamh Brennan, has expressed concerns about how the authority’s executive concluded a deal with Mr Carroll whereby it would press to have the planning scheme for the North Quay area changed, so that Carroll could double the height of the development.
The underground car park is sufficient for a 16-storey development.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label Dublin Docklands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dublin Docklands. Show all posts
Friday, 3 September 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
Court hears of Docklands theatre dispute
A dispute related to the development of the new Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin’s docklands will not affect the opening of the theatre in March, the Commercial Court was told today.
Ramford Ltd, a company controlled by developer Joseph O’Reilly, has brought proccoeedings arising from an agreement of June 29th 2007 between his company and O2 co-owner, Harry Crosbie, to develop the 2,000 seat theatre.
Mr Crosbie owns the lease of the theatre at Grand Canal Square, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, which is due to open on St Patrick’s Day.
Under the June 2007 agreement, Ramford claims it was to design and construct the theatre and to ensure that various theatre works were designed, carried out and completed.
It claims Mr Crosbie undertook to furnish a contract sum of €10 million on the completion date and also to discharge additional amounts paid by Ramford for the purchase and installation of fixtures, fittings and equipment (FF&E).
It is claimed it was agreed, if the direct and vouched costs of the FF&E exceeded €6.5 million, Mr Crosbie would pay the additional amount within 10 working days from receipt of the relevant invoices provided the FF&E were installed in accordance with the agreement.
It is also claimed, should any dispute arise, the agreement provided for that to be referred to an independent professional for determination.
Ramford claims it had spent some €9.4 million on FF&E by July 2009 when a dispute arose between the sides as to liability for some €2.9 million of that amount.
Ramford claims it then sought to have that matter dealt with by an independent professional, as provided for in the agreement, but Mr Crosbie had maintained the matters in dispute were not appropriate for determination by the independent professional.
Mr Crosbie also asked Ramford not to nominate an independent professional unless it had a declaratory order to that effect from the High Court.
The President of the Law Society, on the application of Ramford, had on December 15th last, nominated John Gore-Grines as the independent expert but on December 23rd solicitors for Mr Crosbie said they did not accept that nomination.
Lyndon MacCann SC, for Mr Crosbie, said today his client took issue with several of the claims made by Ramford but the dispute would not affect the opening of the theatre in March next. Mr Justice Peter Kelly, on consent of Mr Crosbie, transferred the proceedings to the Commercial Court.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Ramford Ltd, a company controlled by developer Joseph O’Reilly, has brought proccoeedings arising from an agreement of June 29th 2007 between his company and O2 co-owner, Harry Crosbie, to develop the 2,000 seat theatre.
Mr Crosbie owns the lease of the theatre at Grand Canal Square, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, which is due to open on St Patrick’s Day.
Under the June 2007 agreement, Ramford claims it was to design and construct the theatre and to ensure that various theatre works were designed, carried out and completed.
It claims Mr Crosbie undertook to furnish a contract sum of €10 million on the completion date and also to discharge additional amounts paid by Ramford for the purchase and installation of fixtures, fittings and equipment (FF&E).
It is claimed it was agreed, if the direct and vouched costs of the FF&E exceeded €6.5 million, Mr Crosbie would pay the additional amount within 10 working days from receipt of the relevant invoices provided the FF&E were installed in accordance with the agreement.
It is also claimed, should any dispute arise, the agreement provided for that to be referred to an independent professional for determination.
Ramford claims it had spent some €9.4 million on FF&E by July 2009 when a dispute arose between the sides as to liability for some €2.9 million of that amount.
Ramford claims it then sought to have that matter dealt with by an independent professional, as provided for in the agreement, but Mr Crosbie had maintained the matters in dispute were not appropriate for determination by the independent professional.
Mr Crosbie also asked Ramford not to nominate an independent professional unless it had a declaratory order to that effect from the High Court.
The President of the Law Society, on the application of Ramford, had on December 15th last, nominated John Gore-Grines as the independent expert but on December 23rd solicitors for Mr Crosbie said they did not accept that nomination.
Lyndon MacCann SC, for Mr Crosbie, said today his client took issue with several of the claims made by Ramford but the dispute would not affect the opening of the theatre in March next. Mr Justice Peter Kelly, on consent of Mr Crosbie, transferred the proceedings to the Commercial Court.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Design for Docklands space unveiled
The winning concept for a new public events space in the Dublin docklands was unveiled today.
The site, known as the Parlour, will form part of the Point Village development near the 02 hosting free outdoor events, including music, markets and céilís.
Winning designers LiD Architecture developed a concept of using shipping containers as a cheap but creative basis for the site while also linking it with the neighbouring port.
LiD, which has offices in Donegal and Belfast, was chosen ahead of 46 other entries to a competition run by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. The competition was open to architects, urban designers, landscape architects and other disciplines, with the objective to design a new public civic space for Dublin.
The RIAI said the winning design displayed high levels of flexibility, adaptability and toughness. A final design is being prepared for a planning application.
A giant ferris wheel similar to the London Eye is also being planned for the site.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The site, known as the Parlour, will form part of the Point Village development near the 02 hosting free outdoor events, including music, markets and céilís.
Winning designers LiD Architecture developed a concept of using shipping containers as a cheap but creative basis for the site while also linking it with the neighbouring port.
LiD, which has offices in Donegal and Belfast, was chosen ahead of 46 other entries to a competition run by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. The competition was open to architects, urban designers, landscape architects and other disciplines, with the objective to design a new public civic space for Dublin.
The RIAI said the winning design displayed high levels of flexibility, adaptability and toughness. A final design is being prepared for a planning application.
A giant ferris wheel similar to the London Eye is also being planned for the site.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 3 August 2009
Methane risks persist at docklands site, warns former EPA inspector
SIGNIFICANT RISKS from methane gas remain on a €450 million site in Dublin’s docklands despite an attempt by the owners to get Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clearance that the lands are safe for development, a former EPA inspector has warned.
The Irish Glass Bottle property in Ringsend is owned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) together with developer Bernard McNamara and financier Derek Quinlan, using a company called Becbay partly funded by a €288 million loan from Anglo-Irish Bank. Becbay claims the lands have been fully cleaned of the pollutants left by decades of industrial use and should no longer be considered an industrial site. They say it should therefore be free for development.
In March, Becbay applied to the EPA to drop the requirement for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence, which was needed during the period of Irish Glass Bottle’s operations on the Ringsend lands since 1994.
In a submission to the EPA, one of its former inspectors, Malcolm Doak, however, warned that 30 per cent methane gas levels exist on the lands and that “a significant gas risk still remains on-site”.
Urging the EPA not to agree to the surrender of the licence, Mr Doak said a decision to do otherwise would “set a new precedent for contaminated land remediation in Ireland”.
Arup Consulting Engineers produced a report for Becbay in March, which declared that “all vestiges” of the Irish Glass Bottle operations have been removed from the site, and that the lands are in “a satisfactory state”.
In a letter to the EPA’s office of environmental enforcement, Arup director Niamh O’Sullivan said Arup’s report “provides an independent closure audit for the facility”. Ms O’Sullivan is also a director of the DDDA.
Space created under car-parking spaces and other services would “create a wide and ventilated physical barrier” between polluted lands “and the future habitable spaces of the new development.
This option allowed for leaving deeper deposits of the legacy landfill in place, hence reducing the quantity of waste that required export and disposal,” said the report.
Meanwhile, difficulties in deciding on valuations of properties and assets owned by the DDDA have delayed the submission of the body’s accounts to Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The accounts, once published, are likely to put the State body into deficit for the first time, reflecting heavy losses sustained on the €450 million Irish Glass Bottle deal – one of the biggest deals of the property boom.
The authority’s then chief executive, Paul Maloney (who resigned on Tuesday night), promised the Oireachtas Committee on Environment last February to publish the accounts by the end of June “at the latest”. “They are definitely delayed. They won’t be published until the autumn,” an authority spokesman told The Irish Times.
“The docklands authority’s accounts for the year 2008, which will include valuations for the authority’s property and development assets are currently being prepared and will be submitted to the Minister for Environment, Heritage Local Government in autumn 2009. The annual report on activities for 2008 has already been submitted,” the authority said in a formal statement.
Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan, in a letter to authority chairman UCD professor Niamh Brennan, demanded full details of the retirement agreement reached with Mr Maloney, whose term of office ran until the middle of next year.
“I noted your statement regarding the early retirement of your chief executive Paul Maloney on July 29th ,2009. I am seeking to establish the terms of his retirement and his financial settlement. I am also interested in your reference to the challenges facing the DDDA that lie ahead,” wrote Mr Hogan.
“During the course of the committee meeting last February, it was clear that there were concerns regarding good corporate governance. Could you indicate if you have addressed the concerns raised and if you will seek to ensure that the board of the DDDA implements new procedures in respect of its decision-making?” he asked.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Irish Glass Bottle property in Ringsend is owned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) together with developer Bernard McNamara and financier Derek Quinlan, using a company called Becbay partly funded by a €288 million loan from Anglo-Irish Bank. Becbay claims the lands have been fully cleaned of the pollutants left by decades of industrial use and should no longer be considered an industrial site. They say it should therefore be free for development.
In March, Becbay applied to the EPA to drop the requirement for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence, which was needed during the period of Irish Glass Bottle’s operations on the Ringsend lands since 1994.
In a submission to the EPA, one of its former inspectors, Malcolm Doak, however, warned that 30 per cent methane gas levels exist on the lands and that “a significant gas risk still remains on-site”.
Urging the EPA not to agree to the surrender of the licence, Mr Doak said a decision to do otherwise would “set a new precedent for contaminated land remediation in Ireland”.
Arup Consulting Engineers produced a report for Becbay in March, which declared that “all vestiges” of the Irish Glass Bottle operations have been removed from the site, and that the lands are in “a satisfactory state”.
In a letter to the EPA’s office of environmental enforcement, Arup director Niamh O’Sullivan said Arup’s report “provides an independent closure audit for the facility”. Ms O’Sullivan is also a director of the DDDA.
Space created under car-parking spaces and other services would “create a wide and ventilated physical barrier” between polluted lands “and the future habitable spaces of the new development.
This option allowed for leaving deeper deposits of the legacy landfill in place, hence reducing the quantity of waste that required export and disposal,” said the report.
Meanwhile, difficulties in deciding on valuations of properties and assets owned by the DDDA have delayed the submission of the body’s accounts to Minister for the Environment John Gormley.
The accounts, once published, are likely to put the State body into deficit for the first time, reflecting heavy losses sustained on the €450 million Irish Glass Bottle deal – one of the biggest deals of the property boom.
The authority’s then chief executive, Paul Maloney (who resigned on Tuesday night), promised the Oireachtas Committee on Environment last February to publish the accounts by the end of June “at the latest”. “They are definitely delayed. They won’t be published until the autumn,” an authority spokesman told The Irish Times.
“The docklands authority’s accounts for the year 2008, which will include valuations for the authority’s property and development assets are currently being prepared and will be submitted to the Minister for Environment, Heritage Local Government in autumn 2009. The annual report on activities for 2008 has already been submitted,” the authority said in a formal statement.
Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan, in a letter to authority chairman UCD professor Niamh Brennan, demanded full details of the retirement agreement reached with Mr Maloney, whose term of office ran until the middle of next year.
“I noted your statement regarding the early retirement of your chief executive Paul Maloney on July 29th ,2009. I am seeking to establish the terms of his retirement and his financial settlement. I am also interested in your reference to the challenges facing the DDDA that lie ahead,” wrote Mr Hogan.
“During the course of the committee meeting last February, it was clear that there were concerns regarding good corporate governance. Could you indicate if you have addressed the concerns raised and if you will seek to ensure that the board of the DDDA implements new procedures in respect of its decision-making?” he asked.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 20 February 2009
Bright ideas sought for docklands civic space
DOES HARRY CROSBIE think things are going to turn militant? Even political rallies are to be catered for in the new “civic and public space” being planned by Crosbie for a site behind the O2 Arena (formerly the Point Theatre) in Dublin’s docklands.
A design competition is being organised in collaboration with the RIAI for the space, which is to host “free rock, jazz and trad shows as well as drama, monster céilís and dances, political rallies and events of every kind, including a large weekly produce market”.
According to Crosbie, Dublin city planners are “hugely enthusiastic” about the proposals, which may also include a “giant fireplace” for children to sit around in winter – though no doubt the public liability implications of such an attraction will have to be considered.
The irrepressible impresario is convinced that, in these deeply recessionary times, people want more entertainment to take their minds off the bleak news of banking crises, job losses and the property collapse – which is why bookings at the O2 are so strong.
However, one of the casualties of the recession is Crosbie’s plan to build a 40-storey tower at the Point, designed by Scott Tallon Walker; it has been put on hold. Also in grave doubt is Dunnes Stores’ original plan to become the anchor tenant for the Point Village.
In the meantime, expressions of interest are being invited from architects for the commission to design the Point Square (which the Dunnes Stores outlet was to front onto). Contact John Graby, director, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A design competition is being organised in collaboration with the RIAI for the space, which is to host “free rock, jazz and trad shows as well as drama, monster céilís and dances, political rallies and events of every kind, including a large weekly produce market”.
According to Crosbie, Dublin city planners are “hugely enthusiastic” about the proposals, which may also include a “giant fireplace” for children to sit around in winter – though no doubt the public liability implications of such an attraction will have to be considered.
The irrepressible impresario is convinced that, in these deeply recessionary times, people want more entertainment to take their minds off the bleak news of banking crises, job losses and the property collapse – which is why bookings at the O2 are so strong.
However, one of the casualties of the recession is Crosbie’s plan to build a 40-storey tower at the Point, designed by Scott Tallon Walker; it has been put on hold. Also in grave doubt is Dunnes Stores’ original plan to become the anchor tenant for the Point Village.
In the meantime, expressions of interest are being invited from architects for the commission to design the Point Square (which the Dunnes Stores outlet was to front onto). Contact John Graby, director, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 2 February 2009
Plan for residential and commercial development on Poolbeg peninsula
PLANS FOR a new urban quarter on the Poolbeg peninsula, with homes for 10,000 people and office space to accommodate 16,000 workers, are being released for public consultation today by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
The plans, once they are ratified by the Minister for the Environment, will allow for the development of more than 100 acres of former industrial lands including the 25-acre Irish Glass Bottle site, the neighbouring 12-acre Fabrizia site and the former Pigeon House power station, dock and hotel.
The development area will encircle the Ringsend sewage-treatment plant and Ireland’s first municipal waste incinerator due to be built by Dublin City Council.
Approval to create a special docklands planning scheme for the Poolbeg peninsula was granted to the docklands authority by the Government in mid-2007.
The special planning schemes, also known as Section 25 schemes, give power to the docklands authority to grant permission for developments.
This means that a developer does not have to go through the normal process of applying to the local authority, and a possible appeal to Bord Pleanála, as long as the docklands authority is satisfied that the development complies with the planning scheme.
The Poolbeg planning scheme will be open for public consultation until April, after which it will go to the Minister for the Environment for final ratification.
The authority expects to receive the first applications under the scheme by the end of this year. It envisages that the peninsula will be developed over a 10- to 15-year period in two phases.
The first phase will see the development of around 450,000 sq m.
The second phase, the development of the remaining 350,000 sq m, will only be permitted after a Luas line has been extended to the area.
The planning scheme has divided the area into four zones.
The first, at the beginning of the peninsula, incorporates the glass bottle and Fabrizia lands.
The glass bottle site was bought for €412 million in 2006 by a consortium headed by developer Bernard McNamara, but the authority has invested a 26 per cent stake.
Fabrizia Developments is owned by Liam Carroll, who was refused permission by Bord Pleanála in 2007 to develop the land, having been granted permission by Dublin City Council in 2006.
This first zone will be a mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development.
The second zone is a small strip of land to the north of this, which will be used for commercial development only in order to form a boundary between the new development and the port lands.
The third zone is another large tract of land, owned by Dublin Port and currently used mainly for concrete production, facing out on to the southern shore of the peninsula towards Sandymount.
The north of this land will have some commercial development, but the south will be primarily residential facing out on to the bay.
The final zone, to the north of the sewage-treatment plant around Pigeon House Dock, is owned by the city council and Dublin Port. The farthest zone from the city, this area is likely to be the last developed.
The area will have commercial and residential development, but with several protected structures on the land, including the former power station and hotel, it will also be the site for arts and cultural developments.
Although the scheme will involve high densities it will be relatively low-rise.
Most of the residential accommodation, which accounts for 60-70 per cent of the land use, will be six to seven storeys, while the maximum heights will be 15 storeys. Several areas, particularly at the south shore, will be less than three storeys.
The city council had spent several years developing a framework plan for Poolbeg. However, this plan was never ratified and will now be superseded by the docklands plan.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The plans, once they are ratified by the Minister for the Environment, will allow for the development of more than 100 acres of former industrial lands including the 25-acre Irish Glass Bottle site, the neighbouring 12-acre Fabrizia site and the former Pigeon House power station, dock and hotel.
The development area will encircle the Ringsend sewage-treatment plant and Ireland’s first municipal waste incinerator due to be built by Dublin City Council.
Approval to create a special docklands planning scheme for the Poolbeg peninsula was granted to the docklands authority by the Government in mid-2007.
The special planning schemes, also known as Section 25 schemes, give power to the docklands authority to grant permission for developments.
This means that a developer does not have to go through the normal process of applying to the local authority, and a possible appeal to Bord Pleanála, as long as the docklands authority is satisfied that the development complies with the planning scheme.
The Poolbeg planning scheme will be open for public consultation until April, after which it will go to the Minister for the Environment for final ratification.
The authority expects to receive the first applications under the scheme by the end of this year. It envisages that the peninsula will be developed over a 10- to 15-year period in two phases.
The first phase will see the development of around 450,000 sq m.
The second phase, the development of the remaining 350,000 sq m, will only be permitted after a Luas line has been extended to the area.
The planning scheme has divided the area into four zones.
The first, at the beginning of the peninsula, incorporates the glass bottle and Fabrizia lands.
The glass bottle site was bought for €412 million in 2006 by a consortium headed by developer Bernard McNamara, but the authority has invested a 26 per cent stake.
Fabrizia Developments is owned by Liam Carroll, who was refused permission by Bord Pleanála in 2007 to develop the land, having been granted permission by Dublin City Council in 2006.
This first zone will be a mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development.
The second zone is a small strip of land to the north of this, which will be used for commercial development only in order to form a boundary between the new development and the port lands.
The third zone is another large tract of land, owned by Dublin Port and currently used mainly for concrete production, facing out on to the southern shore of the peninsula towards Sandymount.
The north of this land will have some commercial development, but the south will be primarily residential facing out on to the bay.
The final zone, to the north of the sewage-treatment plant around Pigeon House Dock, is owned by the city council and Dublin Port. The farthest zone from the city, this area is likely to be the last developed.
The area will have commercial and residential development, but with several protected structures on the land, including the former power station and hotel, it will also be the site for arts and cultural developments.
Although the scheme will involve high densities it will be relatively low-rise.
Most of the residential accommodation, which accounts for 60-70 per cent of the land use, will be six to seven storeys, while the maximum heights will be 15 storeys. Several areas, particularly at the south shore, will be less than three storeys.
The city council had spent several years developing a framework plan for Poolbeg. However, this plan was never ratified and will now be superseded by the docklands plan.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Developers sitting on the dock of the bay
The property crash has hit plans for the development of Dublin's docklands but landowners are taking a long-term view, seeking higher buildings and looking to develop sites that previously had industrial uses.
The multi-billion euro transport infrastructure and property group Peel Holdings may develop a commercial scheme at the South Quays container terminal in Poolbeg in Dublin. The company, which says it owns £7bn of assets, holds a long-term lease from Dublin Port on the 37.26 acre site via subsidiary MTL.
Peel has told the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) that the south port lo-lo terminal may be "co-located in the short to medium term" through either land reclamation or the "rationalisation of existing facilities at the north docks".
Peel is controlled by the Whittaker family and its assets include 14,000 acres of land, the Trafford Centre shopping complex in Manchester, a number of airports including John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and several ports in Britain. It is also involved in the development of MediaCity UK in Salford, to which the BBC is relocating five departments, and has other assets in Bermuda, the Bahamas and Spain.
Peel, via a submission to the Dublin Regional Authority on the future of Dublin Bay, has previously signalled its support for the relocation of all of Dublin Port's activities, with the exception of ferry and cruise liner facilities, outside of the city. The port lands could then be developed for residential, commercial and amenity purposes.
Details of Peel's plans for the future of the terminal are included in submissions made to the DDDA in relation to its new masterplan, which will guide future development in the area until 2013. Despite its submission, Peel's site remains partially zoned for the "protection and creation of industrial uses" with the rest of the site zoned for "social, economic and physical development", which is basically housing and enterprise uses.
Cosgrave Property Developments meanwhile wanted the docklands authority to "include and identify previously developed sites which may be suitable for further intensification and redevelopment", specifically the "Ulster Bank headquarters building cluster" on George's Quay and its nearby George's Court development. It also requested "a revised dockland wide height policy which outlines a clear framework for future developments".
The triangular former graving docks site at the entrance to Grand Canal Dock has had additional land zoned for development. The site is controlled by the DDDA and Waterways Ireland and they have already sought a developer and design team to design, construct and finance a mixed-use development on the site of just under three acres.
At nearby Boland's Mill, Seán Kelly's Benton Property Holding says the site is appropriate "to a strong architectural intervention" and said that going forward the "authority should consider site densification on a site by site basis".
In a separate submission from Benton and Treasury Holdings, the developers lobbied for a 20-80 mix between housing and commercial development in the area. Treasury's former headquarters, known as The Warehouse, is next to Boland's Mill.
On the other side of Grand Canal Quay, the Jordan family, Trinity College and Connaughton are planning to redevelop land that is also bounded by Pearse Street, Macken Street and the Esat building. Trinity plans to redevelop its site as a "technology transfer hub" and has appointed a design team to that effect.
Seán Dunne's Mountbrook also made submissions in relation to a 0.6 acre site it owns on City Quay which is said would be suitable for at least a 50-metre high building.
Iarnród Éireann said that some of the land proposed for zoning by the authority was premature pending the construction of the interconnector. It also said a triangular site in the IFSC bounded by three rail lines and should not be zoned for recreational amenity as "there is a need to minimise and strictly control public access to the area".
Tesco said that retail development in the area has not kept pace with residential development and said it "welcomes the provision of a district centre for the south docks".
In the north docklands, meanwhile, Liam Carroll's Zoe Group campaigned against the Liffey Island scheme which will see the DDDA allow buildings to be developed on stilts in the Liffey. It said that extending development into the river "is inherently inconsistent with many of the draft plan objectives and policies" and "conflicts with the strategic amenity of the Liffey river corridor".
Carroll also lobbied against parking restrictions in the area saying that the limits were "an impediment to attracting high order financial institutions to Docklands, and in such instances where institutions are globally footloose, a provision should be incorporated of one space per 100 metres of office use". He also said the 40% residential and 60% commercial development restrictions were "too rigid" and "localised". Carroll's Anglo Irish Bank headquarters building, which is partially completed, did not comply with that restriction, the High Court found.
Pierse Contracting has had the former Cahill Printers site zoned for "social, economic and physical development or rejuvenation" which will be mainly residential and enterprise.
The ESB meanwhile said it did not support the introduction of a public walkway along the South Ball Wall, saying it was not feasible in health and safety terms. For South Lotts Road, it lobbied for the continued residential zoning of 4.5 acres next to its Sportsco land. On East Wall Road, the board owns 2.6 acres which is bounded to the north by the Port Tunnel and applied to have it rezoned as it was made up of "disused and dilapidated buildings". The ESB?also said it would support the idea of including the land in any extension of the North Lotts planning scheme.
In the IFSC itself, Cosgrave Property Developments wants to redevelop its six storey Exchange Place building which it says is "appropriate for intensification".
ABN Amro, Irish Life & Permanent, Cartmel Partnership, Roadbridge's Pat Mulcair and Robert 'Pino' Harris also lobbied for higher density at the 1.88 acre Custom House Plaza which is next to the train station.
It has previously been reported that Treasury Holdings' REO and Spencer Dock Development Company had warned of flaws in the preparation of the masterplan. It said references to Dublin Port should be deleted and said it "reserved the right to instigate legal proceedings". It said it wants to develop a retail centre at Spencer Dock and said the district centre planned for Poolbeg by the DDDA would be "inappropriate".
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
The multi-billion euro transport infrastructure and property group Peel Holdings may develop a commercial scheme at the South Quays container terminal in Poolbeg in Dublin. The company, which says it owns £7bn of assets, holds a long-term lease from Dublin Port on the 37.26 acre site via subsidiary MTL.
Peel has told the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) that the south port lo-lo terminal may be "co-located in the short to medium term" through either land reclamation or the "rationalisation of existing facilities at the north docks".
Peel is controlled by the Whittaker family and its assets include 14,000 acres of land, the Trafford Centre shopping complex in Manchester, a number of airports including John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and several ports in Britain. It is also involved in the development of MediaCity UK in Salford, to which the BBC is relocating five departments, and has other assets in Bermuda, the Bahamas and Spain.
Peel, via a submission to the Dublin Regional Authority on the future of Dublin Bay, has previously signalled its support for the relocation of all of Dublin Port's activities, with the exception of ferry and cruise liner facilities, outside of the city. The port lands could then be developed for residential, commercial and amenity purposes.
Details of Peel's plans for the future of the terminal are included in submissions made to the DDDA in relation to its new masterplan, which will guide future development in the area until 2013. Despite its submission, Peel's site remains partially zoned for the "protection and creation of industrial uses" with the rest of the site zoned for "social, economic and physical development", which is basically housing and enterprise uses.
Cosgrave Property Developments meanwhile wanted the docklands authority to "include and identify previously developed sites which may be suitable for further intensification and redevelopment", specifically the "Ulster Bank headquarters building cluster" on George's Quay and its nearby George's Court development. It also requested "a revised dockland wide height policy which outlines a clear framework for future developments".
The triangular former graving docks site at the entrance to Grand Canal Dock has had additional land zoned for development. The site is controlled by the DDDA and Waterways Ireland and they have already sought a developer and design team to design, construct and finance a mixed-use development on the site of just under three acres.
At nearby Boland's Mill, Seán Kelly's Benton Property Holding says the site is appropriate "to a strong architectural intervention" and said that going forward the "authority should consider site densification on a site by site basis".
In a separate submission from Benton and Treasury Holdings, the developers lobbied for a 20-80 mix between housing and commercial development in the area. Treasury's former headquarters, known as The Warehouse, is next to Boland's Mill.
On the other side of Grand Canal Quay, the Jordan family, Trinity College and Connaughton are planning to redevelop land that is also bounded by Pearse Street, Macken Street and the Esat building. Trinity plans to redevelop its site as a "technology transfer hub" and has appointed a design team to that effect.
Seán Dunne's Mountbrook also made submissions in relation to a 0.6 acre site it owns on City Quay which is said would be suitable for at least a 50-metre high building.
Iarnród Éireann said that some of the land proposed for zoning by the authority was premature pending the construction of the interconnector. It also said a triangular site in the IFSC bounded by three rail lines and should not be zoned for recreational amenity as "there is a need to minimise and strictly control public access to the area".
Tesco said that retail development in the area has not kept pace with residential development and said it "welcomes the provision of a district centre for the south docks".
In the north docklands, meanwhile, Liam Carroll's Zoe Group campaigned against the Liffey Island scheme which will see the DDDA allow buildings to be developed on stilts in the Liffey. It said that extending development into the river "is inherently inconsistent with many of the draft plan objectives and policies" and "conflicts with the strategic amenity of the Liffey river corridor".
Carroll also lobbied against parking restrictions in the area saying that the limits were "an impediment to attracting high order financial institutions to Docklands, and in such instances where institutions are globally footloose, a provision should be incorporated of one space per 100 metres of office use". He also said the 40% residential and 60% commercial development restrictions were "too rigid" and "localised". Carroll's Anglo Irish Bank headquarters building, which is partially completed, did not comply with that restriction, the High Court found.
Pierse Contracting has had the former Cahill Printers site zoned for "social, economic and physical development or rejuvenation" which will be mainly residential and enterprise.
The ESB meanwhile said it did not support the introduction of a public walkway along the South Ball Wall, saying it was not feasible in health and safety terms. For South Lotts Road, it lobbied for the continued residential zoning of 4.5 acres next to its Sportsco land. On East Wall Road, the board owns 2.6 acres which is bounded to the north by the Port Tunnel and applied to have it rezoned as it was made up of "disused and dilapidated buildings". The ESB?also said it would support the idea of including the land in any extension of the North Lotts planning scheme.
In the IFSC itself, Cosgrave Property Developments wants to redevelop its six storey Exchange Place building which it says is "appropriate for intensification".
ABN Amro, Irish Life & Permanent, Cartmel Partnership, Roadbridge's Pat Mulcair and Robert 'Pino' Harris also lobbied for higher density at the 1.88 acre Custom House Plaza which is next to the train station.
It has previously been reported that Treasury Holdings' REO and Spencer Dock Development Company had warned of flaws in the preparation of the masterplan. It said references to Dublin Port should be deleted and said it "reserved the right to instigate legal proceedings". It said it wants to develop a retail centre at Spencer Dock and said the district centre planned for Poolbeg by the DDDA would be "inappropriate".
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Floating gardens planned for Dublin Docklands
PLANS for a public park which would allow families and workers in the Dublin Docklands to sun themselves on patches of lawn moored in the middle of the Royal Canal have been unveiled.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority is to build a €15m Linear Park on a 1km stretch of ground from North Strand Road to Spencer Dock which will feature floating gardens, playgrounds, pavilions, new bridges and sporting facilities.
Designed by Paris-based architects Agence Ter, the park will span a six-hectare (15 acres) site in the North Lotts area of the Docklands and will include a range of different types of garden for a variety of native and exotic species. A skate park, children's playground and kayak centre will also be built.
But the main features will be the floating gardens, which while moored to the canal banks can also be moved around during the seasons.
"The Royal Canal Linear Park will be a major asset in the North Lotts area of Docklands," DDDA Director of Architecture John McLaughlin said yesterday.
Construction of phase one of the park is expected to begin at the end of the year and be completed by mid-2010.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority is to build a €15m Linear Park on a 1km stretch of ground from North Strand Road to Spencer Dock which will feature floating gardens, playgrounds, pavilions, new bridges and sporting facilities.
Designed by Paris-based architects Agence Ter, the park will span a six-hectare (15 acres) site in the North Lotts area of the Docklands and will include a range of different types of garden for a variety of native and exotic species. A skate park, children's playground and kayak centre will also be built.
But the main features will be the floating gardens, which while moored to the canal banks can also be moved around during the seasons.
"The Royal Canal Linear Park will be a major asset in the North Lotts area of Docklands," DDDA Director of Architecture John McLaughlin said yesterday.
Construction of phase one of the park is expected to begin at the end of the year and be completed by mid-2010.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 20 June 2008
Dublin docklands authority sees surplus cut by 91%
FEWER SALES of development assets and higher regeneration costs resulted in the Dublin Docklands Development Authority's surplus being slashed by 91 per cent to €3.7 million in 2007.
Income from the sale of development assets declined to €30.3 million from €84.8 million in 2006, while expenditure on regeneration projects in the area more than doubled to €15.6 million during the year, according to the authority's annual report, published yesterday.
Commenting on the economic slowdown, chief executive Paul Maloney conceded that the future development of the area would be affected by the economic slowdown but added that he was confident the long-term regeneration would happen. "Yes we are concerned for the long term but we look forward to a turnaround," he said.
The authority is charged with overseeing the regeneration of Dublin's dockland area, which extends from the IFSC on the north quays to Poolbeg, south of the Liffey.
The DDDA has four main development assets, Grand Canal Harbour, the CHQ building, land in the Poolbeg peninsula and the former Readymix site.
CHQ in the IFSC opened to retailers last November following a €40 million restoration and is anchored by furniture retailer Meadows Byrne. The centre has suffered from the fall-off in consumer buying this year, Mr Maloney said.
"The first few months of this year have been very difficult," he said. "Retail sales across the board have been difficult." Mr Maloney said he was satisfied with the performance of CHQ to date, especially as its marketing campaign had yet to be launched.
"It can take up to two years for a shopping centre to establish itself, just look at the likes of Dundrum," he told The Irish Times. "We're very satisfied with how it is performing in the current market."
Mr Maloney said 70 per cent of the ground floor at CHQ has been let and he expects it to be fully occupied by the year's end. The centre is operating debt free.
In a bid to stimulate interest from retailers, many shops have received significant discounts on their rents and some are even operating rent free.
On construction activity, Mr Maloney said very few residential planning applications were currently being lodged due to the tougher economic backdrop.
The authority owns 26 per cent of the former Irish Glass site in Ringsend in a joint venture with builder Bernard McNamara and financier Derek Quinlan.
It spent €36 million in cash on this transaction last year. Mr Maloney said remediation works at the site have started and this would cost it about €9 million.
He said the authority and its joint venture partners were consulting with local interest groups about the redevelopment of the Ringsend site. "It's an investment right now but we're confident of making it work," he said.
The authority's staff numbers rose last year from 35 to 46, with its payroll costs increasing to €3.9 million from €3.2 million in 2006.
Its investment properties were revalued in 2007, resulting in a gain of €24 million. The authority had a net pension liability of €7.3 million at the end of 2007, up from €6.7 million a year earlier.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Income from the sale of development assets declined to €30.3 million from €84.8 million in 2006, while expenditure on regeneration projects in the area more than doubled to €15.6 million during the year, according to the authority's annual report, published yesterday.
Commenting on the economic slowdown, chief executive Paul Maloney conceded that the future development of the area would be affected by the economic slowdown but added that he was confident the long-term regeneration would happen. "Yes we are concerned for the long term but we look forward to a turnaround," he said.
The authority is charged with overseeing the regeneration of Dublin's dockland area, which extends from the IFSC on the north quays to Poolbeg, south of the Liffey.
The DDDA has four main development assets, Grand Canal Harbour, the CHQ building, land in the Poolbeg peninsula and the former Readymix site.
CHQ in the IFSC opened to retailers last November following a €40 million restoration and is anchored by furniture retailer Meadows Byrne. The centre has suffered from the fall-off in consumer buying this year, Mr Maloney said.
"The first few months of this year have been very difficult," he said. "Retail sales across the board have been difficult." Mr Maloney said he was satisfied with the performance of CHQ to date, especially as its marketing campaign had yet to be launched.
"It can take up to two years for a shopping centre to establish itself, just look at the likes of Dundrum," he told The Irish Times. "We're very satisfied with how it is performing in the current market."
Mr Maloney said 70 per cent of the ground floor at CHQ has been let and he expects it to be fully occupied by the year's end. The centre is operating debt free.
In a bid to stimulate interest from retailers, many shops have received significant discounts on their rents and some are even operating rent free.
On construction activity, Mr Maloney said very few residential planning applications were currently being lodged due to the tougher economic backdrop.
The authority owns 26 per cent of the former Irish Glass site in Ringsend in a joint venture with builder Bernard McNamara and financier Derek Quinlan.
It spent €36 million in cash on this transaction last year. Mr Maloney said remediation works at the site have started and this would cost it about €9 million.
He said the authority and its joint venture partners were consulting with local interest groups about the redevelopment of the Ringsend site. "It's an investment right now but we're confident of making it work," he said.
The authority's staff numbers rose last year from 35 to 46, with its payroll costs increasing to €3.9 million from €3.2 million in 2006.
Its investment properties were revalued in 2007, resulting in a gain of €24 million. The authority had a net pension liability of €7.3 million at the end of 2007, up from €6.7 million a year earlier.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 15 October 2007
Taxis take the plunge in River Liffey
Taxis have taken to the water with the launch of a new river taxi in Dublin's Docklands.
The floating taxi - named the Liffey Ferry - takes passengers across the River Liffey - from Sir John Rogerson's Quay to North Wall Quay.Operated by Killary Cruises, who also run the successful Liffey Voyage river tour service, the ferry will be in operation each day during the week.
David Higgins, Project Director, Docklands Authority, said - "The Docklands Authority is delighted to launch Dublin's first river ferry service for over twenty years and we're confident it will be a success - particularly given the number of requests we have had to introduce such a service. The ferry will be a real asset to both workers and residents of Docklands, as well as those visiting the area."
The 12.5 metre-long Liffey Ferry seats 12 people and will initially operate from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Tickets for the minute-long journey across the river will cost €2 or €10 for a book of ten tickets. Passengers board the boat at the diving bell on the south side of the river and at the Cill Airne pontoon on the north side.
The Liffey Ferry is an initiative of the Dockland Authority's River Regeneration Strategy, which aims to bring back life to the River Liffey. Other projects include the recent Docklands Maritime Festival, which attracted over 30,000 people to the Docklands area.
The floating taxi - named the Liffey Ferry - takes passengers across the River Liffey - from Sir John Rogerson's Quay to North Wall Quay.Operated by Killary Cruises, who also run the successful Liffey Voyage river tour service, the ferry will be in operation each day during the week.
David Higgins, Project Director, Docklands Authority, said - "The Docklands Authority is delighted to launch Dublin's first river ferry service for over twenty years and we're confident it will be a success - particularly given the number of requests we have had to introduce such a service. The ferry will be a real asset to both workers and residents of Docklands, as well as those visiting the area."
The 12.5 metre-long Liffey Ferry seats 12 people and will initially operate from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Tickets for the minute-long journey across the river will cost €2 or €10 for a book of ten tickets. Passengers board the boat at the diving bell on the south side of the river and at the Cill Airne pontoon on the north side.
The Liffey Ferry is an initiative of the Dockland Authority's River Regeneration Strategy, which aims to bring back life to the River Liffey. Other projects include the recent Docklands Maritime Festival, which attracted over 30,000 people to the Docklands area.
Tuesday, 19 December 2006
The train now arriving is first for 100 years
THE first train has arrived at Dublin's newest railway station. The 'test train' arrived at the Docklands station yesterday to test track gauge and platform clearance, but in just three months, the station will be officially opened.
The first city centre station built in over 100 years and at a cost of €26m, Iarnrod Eireann said it will be fully operational by March 12, three months ahead of schedule. It will deliver a "dramatic increase" in peak frequency from
west Dublin suburbs such as Clonsilla and Castleknock, as well as developing areas such as Ashtown and the proposed Phoenix Park Station.
Most of the main building work is already completed. Signalling and final fit-out will begin in the New Year.
It will handle 2,500 commuters daily on opening, with potential to cater for up to 10,000 more.
The first city centre station built in over 100 years and at a cost of €26m, Iarnrod Eireann said it will be fully operational by March 12, three months ahead of schedule. It will deliver a "dramatic increase" in peak frequency from
west Dublin suburbs such as Clonsilla and Castleknock, as well as developing areas such as Ashtown and the proposed Phoenix Park Station.
Most of the main building work is already completed. Signalling and final fit-out will begin in the New Year.
It will handle 2,500 commuters daily on opening, with potential to cater for up to 10,000 more.
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
Sean O'Casey Bridge Wins Major International Engineering Award
Sean O'Casey Bridge Wins Major International Engineering Award
Dublin�s newest bridge, the Sean O�Casey Bridge, has won a major international engineering award. The bridge, which was commissioned by the Docklands Authority, won the Best Pedestrian Bridge at the International IStructE Awards run by the UK�s Institute of Structural Engineers.
Dublin�s newest bridge, the Sean O�Casey Bridge, has won a major international engineering award. The bridge, which was commissioned by the Docklands Authority, won the Best Pedestrian Bridge at the International IStructE Awards run by the UK�s Institute of Structural Engineers.
Opened in mid-2005, the Sean O�Casey Bridge links the north and south Docklands, and has become an instant landmark on the River Liffey. The bridge has even featured in advertisements for O2, the Ryder Cup and, most recently for Guinness.
O�Connor Sutton Cronin, the structural designers of the Sean O�Casey Bridge, won the award for its work on the design of the bridge, which features a pioneering �swing� action that sees the two leaves or arms of the bridge open to allow boats pass up and down the River Liffey. Each �leaf� of the bridge is approximately 44 metres long and 4.5 metres wide and weighs around 160 tonnes. Each bridge leaf is a balanced cantilever and is designed to rotate on a central bearing supported on granite clad piers in the River Liffey. The piers are founded on four piles bored over 12 metres into the bedrock.
�The Sean O�Casey Bridge has not only become an architectural landmark in the Docklands area but has also made a huge difference to how people get around the area with the IFSC being only a five minute walk from Merrion Square now. The addition of the Macken Street Bridge in the next few years will reinforce the importance of these links in the city.� said Paul Maloney, Chief Executive, Docklands Authority.
The judging panel praised the structural solution for the bridge for combining lightness in design to resolve structural forces with efficiency and transparency. �The result is an aesthetic and elegant design,� they said.
The IStructE Structural Awards are one of the world�s most prestigious awards for structural engineering excellence. Run by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the annual awards celebrate the work of the world�s most talented structural designers.
Paul Healy of O�Connor Sutton Cronin said �we are delighted and honoured to have been awarded this prestigious international award from our engineering colleagues. This is a tremendous reflection on the innovative work by the entire design team.�
The architects for the Sean O�Casey Bridge were Brian O�Halloran Associates, project cost consultants, Bruce Shaw and Partners and the contractor, John Mowlem Construction.
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