Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry  

 

 

Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest: 

 

 

• Dublin homeless housed in city’s Maldron Hotel at estimated €300,000 a month https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/dublin-homeless-housed-in-city-s-maldron-hotel-at-estimated-300-000-a-month-8fvq5ndn9

 

• 45 innovative solutions for beautiful, easy-to-build housing to help cities with the homelessness crisis https://www.fastcompany.com/90538446/45-innovative-solutions-for-beautiful-easy-to-build-housing-to-help-cities-with-the-homelessness-crisis

 

• Claim that 47,000 new homes needed a year isn’t credible https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/claim-that-47-000-new-homes-needed-a-year-isn-t-credible-1.4333525?mode=amp

 

• We Irish are the best at having a property boom – or are we? https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/we-irish-are-the-best-at-having-a-property-boom-or-are-we-1.4333992?mode=amp

 

• Pandemic-Responsive Workplaces: Reducing Touchpoints in Shared Spaces – Standard Access https://standardaccess.co/pandemic-responsive-workplace-reducing-touchpoints-in-shared-spaces/

 

• Hines Global Income Trust, a subsidiary of international property giant Hines, has said the cost of closing and renovating its Montrose student accommodation in Dublin due to fire safety concerns could be $11m (€9.3m). https://amp-independent-ie.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/montrose-closure-could-cost-hines-11m-39468784.html

 

• Mental wellbeing is a critical safety issue on construction sites https://www.irishbuildingmagazine.ie/2020/08/20/mental-wellbeing-is-a-critical-safety-issue-on-construction-sites/

 

• And a little weekend challenge for you! QUIZ: Can you name these towns from their Irish names? | JOE.ie https://www.joe.ie/quiz/quiz-can-name-towns-irish-names-588906 

 

 

If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://propertydistrict.ie/category/sunday-property-review/ 

 

 

As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing  carol@propertydistrict.ie.

 

(Apologies in advance for any typos, it’s difficult to get good help on a Sunday. Also, I use voice to text dictation so just sound out anything that really doesn’t make sense in a strong rural accent and that should help!)

 

 

SUNDAY LISTEN

 

 

Property Matters: Ireland’s First Weekly Property Radio Show (& Podcast!):

 

Ireland’s first weekly property radio show, Property Matters, launched In January 2019 on Dublin South FM 93.9 and is now available internationally via iTunes and Spotify podcast (www.iPropertyRadio.com). The team delivers 60 minutes of industry chat weekly with guests from the areas of planning, construction, property and proptech. 

Produced by Katie Tallon of Hear Me Roar Media. 

 

As #PropertyMatters takes a summer break, we have collaborated with Proptech Ireland (www.prop-tech.ie) for a Radio & Podcast Summer Series for August 2020.

 

 

Meet the people developing, shaping and financing proptech innovation in Ireland.

For the latest episode in our Proptech Ireland Summer Series, we chat to Anna Downes of VideoSherpa.com about the realities of starting a proptech business in Ireland and the challenges in gaining market traction in a slow-adapting industry. 

We also  visit HQ.Tralee and meet with HQ. Kerry co-owner Ken Tobin to talk about the changing role of the office and how co-working hubs are navigating this change. 

 

Listen back here: https://ipropertyradio.com 

 

 

Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com

 

 

PLACEMAKING

PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

 

• Save the Hellfire Club launches legal challenge against €19 million Dublin Mountains visitor centre – Dublin Live https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/save-hellfire-club-launches-legal-18778053

 

• Life, art and the return of Bewley’s: café owner prepares to reopen doors on August 27 https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/life-art-and-the-return-of-bewleys-cafe-owner-prepares-to-reopen-doors-on-august-27-39452905.html

 

• Staycations helping to fast-track ‘Circuit of Ireland’ greenway https://m.herald.ie/news/staycations-helping-to-fast-track-circuit-of-ireland-greenway-39458016.html

 

• Herbert Park home of The O’Rahilly faces demolition: A decision is due by August 24th from An Bord Pleanála on a Social Housing Development (SHD) planning application by the owners of The Herbert Park Hotel. If plans for a 12-story apartment go ahead… http://www.newsfour.ie/2020/08/herbert-park-home-of-the-orahilly-faces-demolition/

 

• Number of Irish returning home at highest level since 2007 https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/number-of-irish-returning-home-at-highest-level-since-2007-1.4334849?mode=amp

 

• Roof would be crowning glory for Cork’s Princes Street: Businesses on the busy street are preparing a submission to the council to cover street so they can permanently retain outdoor seating at restaurants https://www.businesspost.ie/smes/roof-would-be-crowning-glory-for-corks-princes-street-0b656d87

 

 

 

*PLACEengage: The future of speedy, successful placemaking for property developers is here – Property developers and project owners ready Public Consultation are encouraged to contact the PLACEengage team for full details*

 

 

 

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

 

• Planning permission rejected for six-storey apartments in Coolock Village https://dublinpeople.com/news/northsideeast/articles/2020/08/17/planning-permission-rejected-for-six-storey-apartments-in-coolock-village/?amp

 

• Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov has accused the Irish Government of “playing games” and “pursuing its hidden agenda” in relation to its decision to block planning permission for a three-storey extension to the Russian embassy.
  https://www.rte.ie/amp/1159696/

 

• An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for 358 new student bed spaces at Trinity Hall, in spite of residents’ complaints over alleged late-night drunken and rowdy behaviour by students. https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/green-light-for-tcd-accommodation-despite-complaints-of-urinating-students-1014707.html

 

• Tender process for six higher education buildings due ‘immediately’: Pledge to deliver 11 buildings set to facilitate extra 8,000 student places upon completion
  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/tender-process-for-six-higher-education-buildings-due-immediately-1.4332611?mode=amp

 

• Uninest hops to convert buildings into 1,600 tourist beds: Student accommodation provider’s plan set to hit Dublin hoteliers already hurting despite easing of lockdown measures https://www.businesspost.ie/property/uninest-hops-to-convert-buildings-into-1600-tourist-beds-effebb90

 

• Couple planning to turn disused corn mill into a €8m distillery and tourist attraction | Business Post https://www.businesspost.ie/hospitality/couple-planning-to-turn-disused-corn-mill-into-a-8m-distillery-and-tourist-attraction-7f15dc4e

 

• Permission for major mixed use development in Knocknacarra appealed https://connachttribune.ie/permission-for-major-mixed-use-development-in-knocknacarra-appealed/amp/

 

• Covid-19 impacts on number of new builds in Wicklow https://amp.independent.ie/regionals/wicklowpeople/covid-19-impacts-on-number-of-new-builds-in-wicklow-39459768.html

 

• Permission for 360 new homes in Blessington refused https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/permission-for-360-new-homes-in-blessington-refused-1.4335714?mode=amp

 

• Appeal Lodged With ABP Against Planning Permission Granted For Contractors’ Compounds To Facilitate Construction Of €3Bn Upgrade At Intel, Leixlip. | Kfm Radio https://kfmradio.com/news/21082020-0837/appeal-lodged-abp-against-planning-permission-granted-contractors-compounds

 

• BREAKING: 500 houses/apartments, a 200 bedroom hotel and shops planned for Naas – Leinster Leader https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/news/567315/breaking-500-houses-apartments-a-200-bedroom-hotel-and-shops-planned-for-naas.html

 

• Farmer accuses Intel of making ‘killer robots’ | Business Post https://www.businesspost.ie/companies/farmer-accuses-intel-of-making-killer-robots-eaf4b509

 

• Carlow council refuses planning for solar farm: Irish-owned Terra Solar hopes an appeal to an Bord Pleanála will overturn the decision on its 127-hectare project near Tullow https://www.businesspost.ie/energy/carlow-council-refuses-planning-for-solar-farm-6c33704a

 

• Old Graignamanagh creamery to become new community pharmacy – An Bord Pleanala attaches conditions to approval https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/568095/old-graignamanagh-creamery-to-become-new-community-pharmacy.html

 

• New life as a brewery for Roscrea Temperance Hall https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/roscrea/567674/new-life-as-a-brewery-for-roscrea-temperance-hall.html

 

• Residents move into Clonmel’s first council estate in 20 years https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/news/567743/residents-move-into-clonmels-first-council-estate-in-20-years.html

 

• Rule restricting number of solar panels is relaxed https://amp.independent.ie/news/environment/rule-restricting-number-of-solar-panels-is-relaxed-39458169.html

 

• CRH has limited visibility for 2021 due to Covid-19: CRH said the global Covid-19 pandemic had a material impact across the construction markets in which it operates https://www.rte.ie/amp/1160208/

 

• Sisk brings Irish bunker expertise to Swindon https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/sisk-brings-irish-bunker-expertise-to-swindon?amp=1

 

• Irish Developer purchases former Stadco site in Shrewsbury https://www.shropshirelive.com/business/2020/08/17/irish-developer-purchases-former-stadco-site-in-shrewsbury/

 

• Abbey boss increases remuneration https://amp.independent.ie/business/irish/abbey-boss-increases-remuneration-39454751.html

 

• Kingspan profits fell 13% to €200m in first half of the year https://www.irishtimes.com/business/manufacturing/kingspan-profits-fell-13-to-200m-in-first-half-of-the-year-1.4335600?mode=amp Also: Kingspan chief Murtagh sees no future for any new national Covid-19 lockdowns   – Gene Murtagh says cost of another national lockdown will be “unacceptable” to the economy https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-40035815.html?type=amp

 

• Covid-19: Furlough scheme reaches a quarter of a million in Northern Ireland https://www.irishnews.com/business/2020/08/22/news/covid-19-furlough-scheme-reaches-a-quarter-of-a-million-in-northern-ireland-2043615/

 

 

PROPTECH, MMC & CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

 

• Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2020 Irish technology providers for the built environment – From smart design and planning right through to the smart property transaction, where does your Irish-led or Ireland-based proptech  or MMC business sit?  Pease take five minutes to add or update your details to our internationally-shared listing here: SIGN UP HERE: *PROPTECH INNOVATORS and STARTUPS * 

 

• Siblings take a smart approach to the future of buildings | Think Business – As construction firm McKeon Group celebrates 70 years, the third generation of the family business, siblings Tomás and Clíona, are focusing on the smart future with HereWorks: https://www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/here-works-mckeon-group-smart-buildings-borradh/?_lrsc=c2b0f16c-a1a8-4b4d-8d02-d5325937657b&utm_source=elevate&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

 

• TEMPCO Covid-19 Pods launched https://www.hgvireland.com/tempco-covid-19-pods-launched/

 

• Researchers propose eco-friendly pothole fix using unlikely material https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/eco-friendly-pothole-fix

 

• Dublin’s Offr raises €3m to bring property sales online https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/offr-dublin-proptech-startup-funding-barclays

 

• New Review Site Aims To Provide Clarity For PropTech Industry:  With the UK PropTech industry potentially worth an eye-watering £6 billion, it’s clear that keeping track of the thousands of providers is becoming increasingly difficult for agents, investors, and the wider public alike https://www.propertyroad.co.uk/proptech-reviews-site-launch/

 

• Nine Real Estate Technology Trends That Are Here To Stay https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2020/08/18/nine-real-estate-technology-trends-that-are-here-to-stay/

 

• PadSplit uses the Airbnb model to tackle the country’s affordable housing crisis: With $10 million in new financing, the company is expanding into Texas https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/19/padsplit-uses-the-airbnb-model-to-tackle-the-countrys-affordable-housing-crisis/?guccounter=1

 

• Canadian property techs are in danger of dying from data starvation | The Kingston Whig-Standard https://www.thewhig.com/real-estate/canadian-prop-techs-are-in-danger-of-dying-from-data-starvation/wcm/fc49ccea-bc6f-4e8f-87b3-e0b70a20be75

 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

• Housing market is holding up far better than expected: The early months of the Covid19 outbreak were accompanied by dire warnings that Irish house prices could fall by more than 10pc as business restrictions pushed the economy into a deep recession and double-digit unemployment. However, the housing market is clearly performing far better than expected.https://amp-independent-ie.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.independent.ie/business/irish/population-growth-brings-both-challenges-and-opportunities-39468799.html

 

• No sign of Irish property sales spurt as British homebuying surges post-lockdown https://amp.independent.ie/business/no-sign-of-irish-property-sales-spurt-as-british-homebuying-surges-post-lockdown-39455453.html

 

• Dublin house prices fall 0.7% as Covid-19 puts the brakes on market https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/dublin-house-prices-fall-0-7-as-covid-19-puts-the-brakes-on-market-1.433308

 

• Property values show resilience despite disruption of virus crisis https://amp.independent.ie/opinion/comment/property-values-show-resilience-despite-disruption-of-virus-crisis-39461188.html

 

• Mortgage rules should be eased, says brokers group  https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2020/08/19/mortgage-rules-should-be-eased-says-brokers-group/

 

• Signs of competition as new lender enters market https://www-rte-ie.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.rte.ie/amp/1160713/

 

• Almost Half Of All Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Applications In Kildare Have Been Declined. https://kfmradio.com/news/19082020-0814/almost-half-all-rebuilding-ireland-home-loan-applications-kildare-have-been

 

• Rents continue to rise despite Covid-19 impact https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/rents-continue-to-rise-despite-covid-19-impact-1014579.html

 

• Calls for reintroduction of moratorium on evictions https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/calls-for-reintroduction-of-moratorium-on-evictions-1014613.html

 

• Housing Minister seeks investigation into eviction of nine tenants in Dublin https://m.independent.ie/incoming/housing-minister-seeks-investigation-into-eviction-of-nine-tenants-in-dublin-39456333.html

 

• Thousands of rooms rented for pandemic healthcare staff go unused https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/thousands-of-rooms-rented-for-pandemic-healthcare-staff-go-unused-39467018.html

 

 

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

• Brexit and Covid-19 mean Ireland needs millions of square feet of warehouse space
  
  Covid-19 is hurting retailers, and the outlook for offices is uncertain. But well-located industrial and logistics space has never been in such high demand.
    https://lnkd.in/esGKcsm

 

• Limerick Property: Impressive city centre mid-century property: The two buildings at John’s Square include ground floor retail unit and 11 apartments with a passing rent calculated at €114,320 representing attractive Yield of 9.5% https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/567736/limerick-property-impressive-city-centre-mid-century-property.html

 

• Saudi conglomerate Zahid takes stake in Dalata hotel group https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/saudi-conglomerate-zahid-takes-stake-in-dalata-hotel-group-vszp65hv9

 

• O’Callaghan Properties and Iput sell stake in Cork’s Opera Lane retail centre https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/ocallaghan-properties-and-iput-sell-stake-in-cork-s-opera-lane-retail-centre-zmwl5t7pn

 

• “I am absolutely adamant that people are calling the demise of the office prematurely.” – Mark Reynolds, Savills Ireland Managing Director, speaks to Ian Guider for The Sunday Interview in today’s Business Post. Read the interview here: http://sav.li/jnx (via Savills) 

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

• The age of the office is over – the future lies in Britain’s commuter towns | Work & careers | The Guardian https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/13/office-future-britain-commuter-towns-home-working

 

• Is offsite construction the answer to ‘get Britain building’? https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/modular-construction-news/offsite-construction-the-answer/80883/

 

• Highlands spaceport first to get planning go-ahead https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-53834962

 

• Problem job pushes BAM Construction UK to £17m loss https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/08/20/problem-job-pushes-bam-construction-to-17m-loss/