First phase of Charlemont Street scheme completed

THE completion of the first phase of the Charlemont Street Regeneration Project was marked with a topping-off ceremony last week.

The regeneration project, which will see the delivery of 79 high-quality social housing units and a range of community amenities, has been progressed through a partnership between McGarrell Reilly and Dublin City Council.

Last week, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, who has been under fire recently over the city’s housing crisis, unveiled phase one of the project that will eventually see a range of community facilities built on the Dublin 2 site.

These will include a large community centre featuring a sports hall with indoor five-a-side pitch and changing rooms and stage facilities, as well as office space with a kitchen area and reception area.

The complex will also feature a private courtyard and play area for residents.

All remaining residents of Tom Kelly Road flats, some of whom have lived there since they opened in 1969, will move to new and upgraded homes.

Work on the project has been proceeding ahead of schedule, and the 79 units being delivered now will be ready for occupation in the coming weeks.

Minister Murphy said it was a very welcome milestone in the regeneration of the Charlemont Street area.

“This will deliver 79 much-needed homes along with vital community amenities for residents,” he said.

“This Government is determined that the State will fund more direct-build schemes.

“We have ring-fenced over €5bn between 2016 and 2021 to increase the total number of social houses in the State by a third over that five-year period.”

The minister added: “We currently have 63 developments on site which are delivering 2,400 social homes, and there are over 10,000 new homes in the programme to be delivered over the next few years.”

Sean Reilly, Executive Chairman of McGarrell Reilly, said they were delighted to be involved in the project.

“From the outset, we have worked closely with Dublin City Council to understand the requirements of the community,” Mr Reilly said.

“McGarrell Reilly is proud to have brought our experience and professionalism to bear in the delivery of this project.

“We are looking forward to the next phase when we will continue the regeneration and transformation of these underutilised five acres in the heart of the city.”

This next phase will see the development by of 184 private residential units, bringing to 263 the total number of homes in the complex.

The full completion of the project will see the total regeneration of the area, leading to a new urban environment with a mixed tenure.

This regeneration project is located off Charlemont Street, Dublin 2, and the site extends to approxi-mately 2 hectares. The 79 social housing units being delivered are modern dual aspect units featuring large useable balconies, ample storage and surpassing the required standards including in energy.

Community facilities will include a sports hall with changing rooms, private courtyard, play area and se-cure basement car parking. The regeneration is being procured via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) process which resulted in the selection of McGarrell Reilly Group as the preferred bidder.