Weekly 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:

• Are you interested in learning about how augmented reality can transform public consultation and improve community engagement for your next property development? Join us at Meta HQ Dublin on Thursday 👉Don’t miss the Eirmersive Onward #3 event at Meta HQ Dublin on Thursday, featuring PLACEengage.com – Immersive Technologies for Civic Engagement (public consultation and community engagement), Apr 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM, tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/onward-3-immersive-technologies-for-civic-engagement-tickets-582247978377

• Your Opportunity to Shape the Future of Housing in Ireland: Public consultation open until Tuesday, 18 April 2023 – Have your say 👉https://www.publicconsultation.ie/haveyoursay/your-opportunity-to-shape-the-future-of-housing-in-ireland

 

• Developer Joe O’Reilly welcomes Joe Biden to ‘new home’ in Dublin 4: ‘Welcome Home, Mr President’ sign erected on site of former Jurys Hotel in Ballsbridge https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/13/developer-joe-oreilly-welcomes-joe-biden-to-new-home-in-dublin-4/

 

• Ireland’s housing policy and the right to housing – The lifting of the eviction ban has focused fresh attention on Ireland’s housing policy, and the inadequacy of existing measures to address the housing and homelessness crisis https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41112022.html

 

• The public remains split almost down the middle as to whether the eviction ban should have been lifted or not: A total of 53% of 2,000 taxpayers polled disagree with the Government’s decision not to extend the ban, while 47% support the removal of the ban. https://extra.ie/2023/04/10/news/irish-news/public-split-over-eviction-ban

 

• Beware of the law of unintended consequences – Market intervention https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/ourview/arid-41117044.html

 

• New law may allow State recoup 50% of land value increase after rezoning: Land value sharing is seen as a way of dampening land speculation while raising funds to build infrastructure to support more housing https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/14/landowners-benefitting-zoning-decisions-required-to-submit-self-assessments-from-next-year/

 

• Just seven new sites sourced for emergency accommodation: Details of sites in Galway, Dublin and Offaly come as State scrambles to find enough housing for Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants https://www.businesspost.ie/news/just-seven-new-sites-sourced-for-emergency-accommodation/

 

• Lansdowne Rugby Club seals €7m deal for YMCA’s Dublin 4 cricket grounds: Club acquires 6.6-acre Sandymount site with assistance from high-net worth individual https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dublin/2023/04/11/lansdowne-rugby-club-seals-7m-deal-for-ymcas-dublin-4-cricket-grounds/

 

• Major Ires Reit shareholder demands company be taken private https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/major-ires-reit-shareholder-demands-company-be-taken-private-42429492.html Also: Push for Ireland’s biggest landlord to put itself up for sale gathers steam

 

• Dublin City Council overpaid almost €15,000 to one landlord in ‘error’: Internal report discovers council overpayments after Hap tenants moved into social housing https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/15/dublin-city-council-overpaid-almost-15000-to-one-landlord-in-error/

 

• Entire estate ‘producing substantial rental income’ goes up for sale in Cork: They’ve assured tenants there that they will not be affected by the sale https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/property/entire-estate-producing-substantial-rental-26705190

 

• The Luxembourg family behind an Irish property empire: Controversial landlord Marc Godart was backed by parental wealth https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/04/15/the-luxembourg-family-behind-an-irish-property-empire/

 

• Receivers appointed over a South Co Dublin apartment development have claimed before the High Court that over 20 men wielding sledgehammers and baseball bats have unlawfully tried to take possession of the property. https://www.breakingnews.ie/amp/ireland/20-men-wielding-sledgehammers-and-bats-tried-to-occupy-dundrum-apartments-receivers-tell-court-1462849.html

 

• A letter from Ulaanbaatar: Unlike Dublin, this is a city not afraid of building and expanding: In its parallels and its obvious differences, Mongolia can help Ireland understand itself better – particularly when it comes to building public infrastructure and housing. https://thecurrency.news/articles/115049/a-letter-from-ulaanbaatar-unlike-dublin-this-is-city-that-is-not-afraid-of-building-and-expanding/

 

• In practice: Baca Architects’ prefabricated holiday pods https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/specification/in-practice-baca-architects-prefabricated-holiday-pods

 

• Ask the recruitment doctor: If I lose my job, how can I pivot my property-related skills to a new sector? Property recruitment specialist Avril Clare offers advice and reassurance for one reader struggling to prepare for a potential lay-off in May from a tech firm https://www.businesspost.ie/property/ask-the-recruitment-doctor-if-i-lose-my-job-how-can-i-pivot-my-property-related-skills-to-a-new-se/

 

• IKEA looking for ‘kitchen planners’ to work in new Cork store for €32k per year: They say they want someone with a ‘passion for kitchens’ as well as good attention to detail and confidence when engaging with customers https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/ikea-looking-kitchen-planners-work-26670724

 

• Estate agent phone numbers hard to find on their websites, research shows  https://propertyindustryeye.com/estate-agent-phone-numbers-hard-to-find-on-their-websites-research-shows/

 

• Patrick Honohan: Can we ever expect to see a return to cheap money? The IMF says low interest rates will return in the medium term but in the interim the Government needs to mitigate some of the undesirable consequences of high rates https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/04/15/patrick-honohan-can-we-ever-expect-to-see-a-return-to-cheap-money/

 

• Cost of living: Annual inflation rate down to 7.7% from 2022 high of almost 10%: March was the 18th consecutive month where inflation was at least 5%. https://www.thejournal.ie/cost-of-living-inflation-cpi-march-2023-6043202-Apr2023/

 

• M&A dealflow plunges as fear of recession and rising debt costs bite: The value of deals with an Irish target hit their lowest level in 12 years at just $579m, Refinitiv data shows https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/m-and-a-dealflow-plunges-as-fear-of-recession-and-rising-debt-costs-bite-42426500.html

 

• Unemployment and a recession in Ireland may be delayed but we’re still on that path https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/unemployment-and-a-recession-in-ireland-may-be-delayed-but-were-still-on-that-path-kd3kgnnfh

 

• 6 Collective Housing Interventions that Rethink Urban Block Design https://www.archdaily.com/999486/6-collective-housing-that-rethinks-urban-block-design

 

• How much can the current Dublin Airport grow? Dublin Airport could reach 40 million passengers annually within ten years. The DAA is expected to seek planning permission to extend its capacity – but the consensus about the airport is that nothing is working as well as it should https://www.businesspost.ie/news-focus/how-much-can-the-current-dublin-airport-grow/

 

 

 

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

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

We are excited to share the growth of iPropertyRadio! What started as #PropertyMatters, a 60-minute weekly show on Dublin South FM 93.9FM over 4 years ago, has now evolved into a global online station for the best construction, urban planning, property and proptech content. Check out our website, iPropertyRadio.com, brought to you by Hear Me Roar Media for live and recorded access to all the week’s built environment news.

Want to have your industry podcast included or be a guest on our shows? Reach out to us at hello@ipropertyradio.com. Last year, we hit a massive 7.5 million digital impressions across our brands and this figure is growing – Q4 2022/Q1 2023 we now have an  average of 765,876 digital impressions each month, not including radio listenership and website visits. Huge thanks to all of you for your continued support!

This week on iPropertyRadio…

*Elevate Your Fit Out Project With World Class Design*

This week on Breaking Ground on iPropertyRadio we chat to fellow Network Ireland (Network Ireland Galway Branch) member Gizem Akdoğan Kokosis, Owner of Gizem Akdogan Interior Design, about the benefits of using an interior designer on your next build, including knowing your project costs, having a more accurate estimated timeline, having more options in terms of suppliers and materials selection and having a professional to guide and coordinate different consultants or tradesmen.

We also discuss some of her favourite past projects (think luxury hotel and spa design in exotic locations!) and learn how a good designer finds ways to make their design inclusive, accessible and usable, making a universally appealing.

Listen back at https://ipropertyradio.com/breaking-ground/

Proptech Hot Seat

In the iPropertyRadio.com Proptech Hot Seat this week is Lukas Balik, Co-Founder and CEO of Spaceflow to discuss how the ‘5 days at the office’ era is dead. What will it take to bring tenants back to office, and if not, what will save unused office buildings? What do tenants actually want in 2023? – Affordability, or great service? How will landlords stay ahead of the game in ESG and innovation among the many change-makers?

Listen back at https://ipropertyradio.com/proptech-hot-seat/

 

PLACEMAKING

OPEN PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Céard é Comhfhorbairt Áite? “Teastaíonn dea-áitíocht saineolaithe ildisciplíneacha freagraí a chur ar fáil, ach tugann áitíocht maith guth don phobal chun na ceisteanna cearta a chur ar bun.” 👉https://placeengage.com/ceard-e-comhfhorbairt-aite/

 

• Your Opportunity to Shape the Future of Housing in Ireland: Public consultation open until Tuesday, 18 April 2023 – Have your say 👉https://www.publicconsultation.ie/haveyoursay/your-opportunity-to-shape-the-future-of-housing-in-ireland

 

• Ireland’s rich list 1911: New online census documents show stark inequality a century agohttps://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41114260.html

 

• Dublin City Council to grant 20-year lease for Clontarf car park amid calls for housing https://m.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/dublin-city-council-to-grant-20-year-lease-for-clontarf-car-park-amid-calls-for-housing-42428968.html

 

• Residents group claim new D12 apartment scheme will devalue adjoining properties https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/residents-alliance-claims-apartment-scheme-for-d12-will-hit-value-of-adjoining-properties-1462749.html

 

• Blackpool development: Greenway proposed by traders: “I’ve been flooded three times since the major flood a couple of years ago – the residents have to be looked after as well.” https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41113078.html

 

• Planning permission granted for €5m Cork Gaeltacht digital centre https://m.independent.ie/regionals/corkman/news/planning-permission-granted-for-5m-cork-gaeltacht-digital-centre-42427164.html

 

• Government agencies among those interested in historic five-star Cork B&B – distinctive limestone detached building, one of two Tudor-style over-basement villas dating to the early 1840s by the bridge at Abercromby Place and facing the public park https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/arid-41115502.html

 

• Public urged to have their say on BusConnects following changes made to original plans: Amy Nolan takes a look at some of the proposed revisions to the plans for 11 sustainable transport corridors (STCs) earmarked for development as part of the BusConnects https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41113807.html

 

• Large crowd turns out to discuss the future of Blackpool as greenway is proposed https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41117275.html

 

• Events space to be installed at Youghal park: Cork County Council believes that the multifunctional, flexi space will act as new hub for outdoor events, including musical performances, presentation ceremonies and screenings https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41113834.html

 

• Great news for smallies as new playground opens in Cork village: The playground was opened this week by County Cork Mayor, Danny Collins https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/great-news-smallies-new-playground-26688313

 

• Leader Rural Development Programme 2023-2027 Public Consultation for North Cork https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/public-notices/leader-rural-development-programme-2023-2027-public-consultation-for-north-cork

 

• Decision delayed on Galway’s Cross-City Link for public transport https://connachttribune.ie/decision-delayed-on-galways-cross-city-link-for-public-transport/

 

• Gaelscoil offers 5-bed house rent-free to family of school-age children: https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2023/0410/1376199-rent-free-house/

 

• Proposed greenway route west of Athlone published https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2023/04/12/proposed-greenway-route-west-of-athlone-published/

 

• Historian In Residence Appointed By Midlands Council https://www.midlands103.com/news/midlands-news/historian-in-residence-appointed-by-midlands-council/

 

• Pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street for off-peak traffic times suggested by Limerick Chamber  https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/limerick-chamber-recommends-pedestrainsation-of-oconnell-street-for-off-peak-traffic-times/

 

• New piece of urban art pops up in Thomondgate https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/new-piece-of-urban-art-pops-up-in-thomondgate/

 

• Permission granted to transform historic Waterford City building https://www.wlrfm.com/news/permission-granted-to-transform-historic-waterford-city-building-301223

 

• New street signs planned for Kilkenny City https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-city/1145935/new-street-signs-planned-for-kilkenny-city.html

 

• Council plan to acquire land for pedestrian bridge on Ardmore Road  https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2023/04/12/council-plan-to-acquire-land-for-pedestrian-bridge-on-ardmore-road/

 

• Redevelopment of east Mayo community centre goes to tender https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/04/10/redevelopment-of-east-mayo-community-centre-goes-to-tender/

 

• Public consultation on Belturbet Masterplan to open next week https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/04/14/public-consultation-on-belturbet-masterplan-to-open-next-week/

 

• Plan to convert old rural church for community use https://www.donegaldaily.com/2023/04/12/plan-to-convert-old-rural-church-for-community-use-2/

 

• ‘It’s very different from a hotel’ – the Donegal hideaway where you can stay in a fishing boat or railway carriage https://m.independent.ie/life/travel/ireland/its-very-different-from-a-hotel-the-donegal-hideaway-where-you-can-stay-in-a-fishing-boat-or-railway-carriage-42431418.html

 

• ‘Rotten’ but iconic Donegal https://www.donegaldaily.com/2023/04/14/rotten-but-iconic-donegal-lighthouse-needs-a-makeover/

 

• ‘Our primary goal is to get preferred route for Farranfore Killarney bypass’  https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/our-primary-goal-is-to-get-preferred-route-for-farranfore-killarney-bypass-42427099.html

 

• The curious case of the footpath you can’t use in Kerry village https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/the-curious-case-of-the-footpath-you-cant-use-in-kerry-village-42427917.html

 

• North Kerry areas chosen for climate action project https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/north-kerry-areas-chosen-for-climate-action-project-326283

 

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

• Approval of employment order will mean construction sector pay rise – Minimum hourly rate paid to craft workers such as bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers rising above €21 in September https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2023/04/14/approval-of-employment-order-will-mean-construction-sector-pay-rise/

 

• Appeals board grants planning for 780 units for North Dublin but refuses 100 units for Malahide: The plans for the Malahide units were refused due to a lack of provisions for public open space and other factors https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-housing-developments-6037998-Apr2023/

 

• Glenveagh plans for Dublin homes stall amid appeals: Decision on plans for 853 homes on the northside due this summer https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/11/glenveagh-plans-for-dublin-homes-stall-amid-appeals/

 

• Dublin 3 residents oppose plans for apartment scheme: Plans call for a 10-storey large-scale residential development for Richmond Road https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/13/locals-oppose-dublin-3-apartment-plans/

 

• LDA is considering buying a 196-apartment complex in Cookstown, Tallaght, from Bernard McNamara for €80m as part of Project Tosaigh (government scheme to have 5,000 cost rental units by 2026). In the process, it would gazump Urbeo by close to 10%https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/land-agency-elbows-urbeo-from-mcnamara-apartment-deal-in-tallaght-8kcqfltlh

 

• Kildare developers pay over €5m for 235-acre Celbridge landbank: Lands are situated immediately adjacent to the State-owned Castletown House and demesne in Celbridge https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/12/kildare-developers-pay-over-5m-for-235-acre-celbridge-landbank/

 

• Powerscourt Hotel presses case for staff accommodation block on site: Powerscourt Estate owners, the Slazenger family, have objected to planning approval granted as hotel struggles to secure and retain staff https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/12/powerscourt-hotel-presses-case-for-staff-accommodation-block-on-site/

 

• Developer Michael O’Flynn secures exemption from vacant land tax for 12 Cork city sites – Businessman estimates tax bill of over €2m annually if 12 other sites are subject to residential zoned-land levyhttps://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/11/developer-michael-oflynn-secures-exemption-from-vacant-land-tax-for-12-cork-city-sites/

 

• ‘Dysfunctional and illogical’: Developer Michael O’Flynn on Ireland’s vacant land tax https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/inside-business/dysfunctional-and-illogical-developer-michael-oflynn-on-irelands-vacant-land-tax/

 

• Council announce schemes to provide 31 houses in Cork city: Director of Housing, Niall Ó Donnabháin, said that it is a government scheme where the money is funnelled through Cork City Council to provide for the units https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41115163.html

 

• Watch: Construction begins on 266 social and affordable homes at historic Cork city site: A landmark development that overlooks the Lee Valley just a 10-minute walk from the city centre https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/property/watch-construction-begins-266-social-26687285

 

• Cork University Hospital to begin construction on helipad and paediatric care building: When completed, the helicopter pad will serve CUH as the level 1 trauma centre for the South of Ireland https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41113966.html

 

• Plans for housing complex in Ballyphehane appealed to An Bord Pleanála: The plans attracted numerous submissions from local residents https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41116906.html

 

• Concrete award for Macroom bypass bridges: The bridges were awarded in the infrastructure category for the pre-cast concrete beams used over the Laney and Sullane rivers. https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41113396.html

 

• Plans submitted for housing estate in central Oranmore https://www.galwaydaily.com/news/housing/plans-submitted-for-housing-estate-in-central-oranmore/

 

• Conservation is an obstacle to housing crisis in Kilmallock says Limerick TD https://www.limerickpost.ie/2023/04/11/conservation-is-an-obstacle-to-housing-crisis-in-kilmallock-says-limerick-td/

 

• BREAKING NEWS: ALDI gets green light for new €6.3m Castlecomer store! 30 new jobs to be created when store opens at the end of 2024 https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/castlecomer/1084782/breaking-news-aldi-gets-green-light-for-new-6-3m-castlecomer-store.html

 

• Ground broken on massive new €440million medical devices factory in Kilkenny this week https://kclr96fm.com/ground-to-be-broken-on-massive-new-e440million-medical-devices-factory-in-kilkenny-this-morning/

 

• Planned meeting over stalled Kildare shopping centre could lead to breakthrough https://www.kildarenow.com/news/home/1084508/breaking-planned-meeting-over-stalled-kildare-shopping-centre-could-lead-to-breakthrough.html

 

• Green light for 33 homes, cycle lanes and linear park in Prosperous https://www.kildarenow.com/news/home/1083918/kildare-green-light-for-33-homes-cycle-lanes-and-linear-park-in-prosperous.html

 

• Over 50 new homes planned for Naas https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/1145449/over-50-new-homes-planned-for-naas.html

 

• Former Wicklow Eir depot up for sale https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/business/former-wicklow-eir-depot-up-for-sale-42430527.html

 

• Planning application for construction of dozens of Carlow homes submitted to council https://www.carlowlive.ie/news/home/1080675/planning-application-for-construction-of-dozens-of-carlow-homes-submitted-to-council.html

 

• Planning refused for 12-house development outside Killarney https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/planning-refused-for-12-house-development-outside-killarney-326246

 

• MTU Kerry’s long planned STEM complex on track for 2025 opening https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/mtu-kerrys-long-planned-stem-complex-on-track-for-2025-opening-42428143.html

 

• Planning permission granted to develop apartments in landmark Castleisland building https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/planning-permission-granted-to-develop-apartments-in-landmark-castleisland-building-326380

 

• Tipperary Co Council’s ever-ambitious housing programme continues to set new goals and is now on course to deliver over 2,000 units by 2026. https://www.nenaghguardian.ie/2023/04/10/council-aims-for-2000-homes/

 

• ‘‘We’re going to fight this the whole way’: Residents oppose new houses in Nenagh estatehttps://www.nenaghguardian.ie/2023/04/14/were-going-to-fight-this-the-whole-way/

 

• Planning permission sought for Monaghan tourism development https://www.northernsound.ie/news/planning-permission-sought-for-monaghan-tourism-development-213187

 

• Planning permission lodged for new housing development in Four Roads https://www.shannonside.ie/news/planning-permission-lodged-for-new-housing-development-in-four-roads-221918

 

• Planning Permission for housing development in Boyle https://www.shannonside.ie/news/planning-permission-for-housing-development-in-boyle-221966

 

• Two Donegal schools get green light to proceed to construction of extensions: This is welcome news for the schools in Newtowncunningham and Kilmacrennan https://www.donegallive.ie/news/local-news/1085295/two-donegal-schools-get-green-light-to-proceed-to-construction-of-extensions.html

 

• No deal close yet to selling Farrans says CRH  https://www.irishnews.com/business/2023/04/11/news/no_deal_close_yet_to_selling_farrans_says_crh-3195687/

 

• A concrete manufacturer has been fined £1m after a 24-year-old worker suffered fatal head injuries when the jaws of a metal grabber closed. https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/04/12/creagh-concrete-hit-with-1m-fine-after-works-fatality/

 

• Kingspan meets Gove’s Easter deadline to discuss cladding compensation costs https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/kingspan-meets-goves-easter-deadline-to-discuss-cladding-compensation-costs/5122632.article

 

• Aisling Curtis And John Moran Appointed To Shannon Airport Group Board https://businessplus.ie/news/shannon-board-appointments/

 

• Navan-based Versatile provides a full suite of solutions to optimise your building: The family firm is 12 months short of its 40th year as a successful bathroom and HVAC business, and with a long list of high-profile clients including Britain’s House of Lords, and an eye to tuning sustainable heating, ventilation and cooling systems for the future, it looks like a safe bet for the next 40 years https://www.businesspost.ie/property/navan-based-versatile-provides-a-full-suite-of-solutions-to-optimise-your-building/

 

PROPTECH, ESG, MMC & CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

 

• Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2023 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: *https://prop-tech.ie/register/ * and email product or service details to hello@prop-tech.ie

 

• Proptech Ireland: Ireland’s CONSTRUCTION and REAL ESTATE ESG technologies resource hub. Confused about how and where to start on your ESG journey? Contact us 👉https://prop-tech.ie

• Are you interested in learning about how augmented reality can transform public consultation and improve community engagement for your next property development? Join us at Meta HQ Dublin on Thursday 👉Don’t miss the Eirmersive Onward #3 event at Meta HQ Dublin on Thursday, featuring PLACEengage.com – Immersive Technologies for Civic Engagement (public consultation and community engagement), Apr 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM, tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/onward-3-immersive-technologies-for-civic-engagement-tickets-582247978377

 

• New project urges Limerick building owners to get smart with energy savings https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/new-project-urges-limerick-building-owners-to-get-smart-with-energy-savings/

 

• PropTech Today – A beginner’s guide to good integration in 2023 https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2023/4/proptech-today–a-beginners-guide-to-good-integration-in-2023?source=newsticker

 

• Sale proptech platform unveils sellers information pack https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2023/4/sale-proptech-platform-unveils-sellers-information-pack?source=newsticker

 

• Driving Digitalization and Innovation: Nemetschek Group Invests in Project Cost Control Startup LiveCosts.com https://www.nemetschek.com/en/news-media/driving-digitalization-and-innovation-nemetschek-group-invests-project-cost-control

 

• Hometree: $46m funding round taking the Irish-founded UK home energy firm to the next level: Simon Phelan’s business offers  households all-in-one solutions to finance and operate green energy sources. Environmental credentials have helped Hometree raise capital from blue-chip investors in a depressed funding market https://thecurrency.news/articles/115392/growing-hometree-the-46m-funding-round-taking-the-irish-founded-uk-home-energy-firm-to-the-next-level/

 

• Digital Planning – The future: David Churchill, Partner at Carter Jonas, looks at the benefits of proptech and, in particular, the proposed digitalisation for the planning and development sector https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/digital-planning-the-future.html

 

• Next-generation BIM developers are developing tools that automate the production of detail design models and downstream drawing production. While there are many ways to get there, the end-goal looks to be the same: models and drawings produced in minutes, not months https://aecmag.com/bim/blue-ocean-aec/

 

• Fast-build modular homes – an answer to the UK housing crisis? Industry in UK is still largely loss-making but there are hopes it might soon deliver significant proportion of new homes https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/14/fast-build-modular-homes-an-answer-to-the-uk-housing-crisis

 

• Does the M&E delivery approach for Modular buildings mean we will no longer need the RIBA Plan of Work? https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/mmc-news/does-the-me-delivery-approach-for-modular-buildings-mean-we-will-no-longer-need-the-riba-plan-of-work/124233/

 

• CRE’s future continues shift toward proptech https://connectedremag.com/uncategorized/cres-future-continues-shift-toward-proptech/

 

• 5 Ways Tech Can Help Commercial Landlords Reduce Costs and Increase Profits https://www.propmodo.com/5-ways-tech-can-help-commercial-landlords-reduce-costs-and-increase-profits/

 

• 5 Promising European Proptech Startups in 2023 https://techbullion.com/5-promising-european-proptech-startups-in-2023/

 

• Hybrid agency eXp UK hits 400 estate agents signed up to its platform https://propertyindustryeye.com/hybrid-agency-exp-uk-hits-300-estate-agents-signed-up-to-its-platform-2/

 

• 3D printing will transform architecture forever – here’s how  https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/3d-printing-promises-to-transform-architecture-forever-and-create-forms-that-blow-today-s-buildings-out-of-the-water/

 

• PropTech 50 firm 3D Repo snapped up https://businesscloud.co.uk/news/proptech-50-firm-3d-repo-snapped-up/

 

• Graneet raises $8.7 million for its vertical SaaS for construction companies https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/11/graneet-raises-87-million-for-its-vertical-saas-for-construction-companies/

 

• Ukrainian VC SMRK invests in proptech Prengi’s Seed round: The Ukrainian founded property and facilities management platform raised $500,000 to expand further in the US, and into Europe and the Middle East. https://tech.eu/2023/04/11/ukrainian-vc-smrk-invests-in-proptech-prengi-s-seed-round/

 

• New Proptech Company Renew Launches With $8M in Seed Funding: The company focuses on automation of the resident renewal process https://www.globest.com/2023/04/14/new-proptech-company-renew-launches-with-8m-in-seed-funding/

 

• Global X unveils a real estate tech focused ETF https://seekingalpha.com/news/3956589-global-x-unveils-a-real-estate-tech-focused-etf

 

ENERGY, CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

• Ryan writes to Varadkar warning of ‘reputational damage’ if Ireland does not meet green targets: The environment minister has warned the Taoiseach of the risks of ‘trading on a green brand while not changing things in reality’ and wrote that ‘once lost, such a green reputation is very hard to restore’ https://www.businesspost.ie/news/ryan-writes-to-varadkar-warning-of-reputational-damage-if-ireland-does-not-meet-green-targets/

 

• SuperNode secures additional €16m from shareholders: Eddie O’Connor’s SuperNode is developing superconducting transmission technology https://www.businesspost.ie/news/supernode-secures-additional-e16m-from-shareholders/

 

• Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), traditionally the most basic ingredient in the construction mix, has been banned by Laing O’Rourke for all new UK projects. From 1st April 2023, they will use only low carbon concrete, without OPC https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/laing-orourke-bans-opc

 

• Dublin Array Wind farm could generate electricity for 844,000 homes by 2028 https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/news/dublin-array-wind-farm-could-generate-electricity-for-844000-homes-by-2028-42427938.html

 

• Ireland’s offshore wind: Port of Cork says harbour is ready to be part of green energy revolution: According to the Port of Cork, the new masterplan for the harbour will have offshore wind energy as a major component https://www.buzz.ie/news/irish-news/cork-port-offshore-wind-energy-29719731.amp

 

• Galway Wind Park one of 8 chosen for €8.5m EU climate project https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/galway-wind-park-one-of-8-chosen-for-e8-5m-eu-climate-project/

 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS (including PRS)

• Average Dublin residential property prices declined for the fifth month in a row in February 2023, according to CSO data.  https://businessplus.ie/industry-type/real-estate-property/dublin-house-prices/

 

• Rising mortgage interest rates are causing house prices to fall, as lenders become increasingly cautious about the ability of potential buyers to repay their loans. https://extra.ie/2023/04/15/news/irish-news/house-prices-loan-fears

 

• 1,336 buyers approved for First Home Scheme in Q1 https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0413/1376736-first-home-scheme/

 

• Bank of Ireland admits mortgage error that affects thousands of homeowners https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/bank-of-ireland-admits-mortgage-error-that-affects-thousands-of-homeowners-42427040.html

 

• Non-banks hold more than half of mortgages in arrears https://www.businesspost.ie/news/non-banks-hold-more-than-half-of-mortgages-in-arrears/

 

• Almost one in five households under insured when they make claim, as costs rise  https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/insurance/almost-one-in-five-households-under-insured-when-they-make-claim-as-costs-rise-42427209.html

 

• ‘No boom-boom allowed’ — Twitter outraged over very specific house share listing https://extra.ie/2023/04/10/property/twitter-outraged-house-listing

 

• ‘In a housing crisis, this government is leaving thousands of buildings to rot’: A grim indictment of Ireland’s political policies is the scale of dereliction of buildings throughout the countryhttps://www.thejournal.ie/readme/derelict-ireland-6043352-Apr2023/

 

• My niece’s offer to buy my late mother’s house is being blocked by my sister. What should we do? Property Clinic: Nobody was that interested in the house until the executor’s daughter decided that she wanted it https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/12/my-nieces-offer-to-buy-my-late-mothers-house-is-being-blocked-by-my-sister-what-should-we-do/

 

• 11 questions you need to ask your architect: Whatever the scale of your planned building project, you need to be comfortable with who you are working with from start to completion https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/11-questions-you-need-to-ask-your-architect-5qf9pcwxl

 

• Home extension: Steel work to get you beaming- Reinforcing gaps and load-bearing means steel can be a necessary expense https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/residential/arid-41113942.html

 

• Luxury apartments near Government Buildings offer modern living with Georgian flair from €425,000: Difficulty developing high-end scheme of one- and two-bed units on Lower Baggot Street will likely make similar offerings a rarity https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/13/dublin-city-apartments-offer-modern-living-with-georgian-flair-from-425000/

 

• Dublin’s luxury ‘Design It Yourself’ estate: At Myra Manor developers sold plots of land for €675,000 and helped the buyers to come up with their own design for a perfect home  https://m.independent.ie/life/home-garden/dublins-luxury-design-it-yourself-estate-42431498.html

• Irish influencer Aideen Kate has revealed the harsh reality of buying a house in Ireland at the moment. The makeup artist took to TikTok earlier this week to share a “life update” with her followers.https://goss.ie/showbiz/irish-influencer-aideen-kate-reveals-the-harsh-reality-of-buying-a-house-in-ireland-at-the-moment-333905

 

• Ireland’s ‘skinniest house’ back on the market for an eye-watering €235k https://extra.ie/2023/04/12/property/irelands-skinniest-house

 

• Dublin homes for sale: Two apartments going under the hammer for under €250,000: The two properties are perfect for house hunters on a tight budget https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/property/dublin-homes-sale-two-apartments-26697403.amp

 

• Maureen O’Hara’s former Cork “piece of heaven” sells for €2.8 million  https://www.irishcentral.com/dream-homes/maureen-oharas-cork-house-sells.amp

 

• Heavenly! Church converted to a home in Kerry hits market for €315,000 https://evoke.ie/2023/04/11/life-style/church-converted-home-kerry

 

• Tralee house on the market for over €1 million https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/tralee-house-on-the-market-for-over-e1-million-326530

 

• Irish houses selling for up to 15% over asking price thanks to home staging: Home staging with rented furniture and professional styling is growing in popularity — as it often leads to a faster and bigger sale https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/irish-houses-selling-for-up-to-15-over-asking-price-thanks-to-home-staging-r2wgp2kzv

 

• Decluttering trends we’ve fallen out of love with in 2023: Discover which decluttering trends to ditch, and what to try instead – according to the pros https://www.homesandgardens.com/life-design/decluttering-trends-to-avoid

 

• Timeless kitchen trends to inspire your next makeover  https://www.breakingnews.ie/lifestyle/timeless-kitchen-trends-to-inspire-your-next-makeover-1462686.html

 

• Bathroom design awards awash with talent: Bathroom Design of the Year competition draws the brightest and best student designers, with looks that can be recreated easily in your own home https://www.businesspost.ie/property/bathroom-design-awards-awash-with-talent/

 

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS

• A total of €623m was invested into Irish commercial property in Q1 2023, according to CBRE Ireland, spread across 26 transactions. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/ireland/strong-period-for-commercial-property-deals-cbre-ireland

 

• Office investment in Dublin in Q1 had the lowest quarterly volumes since Q3 2016, with €90m invested across seven transactions, according to JLL Ireland.  https://businessplus.ie/news/grim-q1-for-commercial-property-says-jll/

 

• Mood of cautious optimism prevails in commercial real estate: Investors are regrouping and setting strategies to take into account the new monetary reality, rebalancing toward property that has enduring value https://www.businesspost.ie/property/mood-of-cautious-optimism-prevails-in-commercial-real-estate/

 

• Retail parks performing well, in occupancy and as investments: The sector is not immune to recent property-sector turbulence, but pricing for retail parks has proven to be strong, reflecting demand and rental growth https://www.businesspost.ie/property/retail-parks-performing-well-in-occupancy-and-as-investments/

 

• Hefty Grafton Port Collection hits market guiding €16 million: Nos 4-5 Grafton Street and 44-47 Nassau Street are up for sale in three lots, offering significant long-term income and redevelopment opportunities https://www.businesspost.ie/property/hefty-grafton-port-collection-hits-market-guiding-e16-million/

 

• €5.8m sought for landmark property at the ‘top of Dawson Street’: Core Capital chief Derek McGrath seeks buyer for mixed-use investment on Dublin’s Dawson Street https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/12/58m-sought-for-landmark-property-at-the-top-of-dawson-street/

 

• Former Sachs Hotel in Donnybrook to close permanently after decades of trading; The well-known D4 landmark, formerly Sachs Hotel, has been in operation since at least the 1950s https://www.businesspost.ie/news/former-sachs-hotel-in-donnybrook-to-close-permanently-after-decades-of-trading/

 

• Global logistics giant DSV signs for new facility at €300m Mountpark Baldonnell scheme: Seven units at the Dublin development comprising a total of 1,386,189sq ft have been pre-let prior to completion https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/12/global-logistics-giant-dsv-signs-for-new-facility-at-300m-mountpark-baldonnell-scheme/

 

• Developer has new plans for former Debenhams building https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/developer-has-new-plans-for-former-debenhams-building/

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

• UK House Sales Predicted to Grow for First Time in a Year  https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/uk-house-sales-predicted-to-grow-for-first-time-in-a-year-1.1907044.amp.html

 

• UK Construction output rebounds 2.4% in February  https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/04/13/construction-output-rebounds-2-4-in-february/

 

• Oil-rich Texas blacklists BlackRock as ESG finds itself in the culture wars: Texas’s state comptroller has accused the investment fund of boycotting the fossil fuel industry – and has started a trend as other US states move to blacklist firms with ESG arms https://www.businesspost.ie/analysis-opinion/vincent-boland-oil-rich-texas-blacklists-blackrock-as-esg-finds-itself-in-the-culture-wars/

 

• Young Australians never stood a chance. For decades the controls have been set to favour older generations  https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2023/apr/13/young-australians-never-stood-a-chance-for-decades-the-controls-have-been-set-to-favour-older-generations

 

• ‘Build back better’ requires a framework that focuses on the full life of a house – from materials to its end of life  https://theconversation.com/build-back-better-requires-a-framework-that-focuses-on-the-full-life-of-a-house-from-materials-to-its-end-of-life-203325

 

• If Neom City was not ambitious enough, Saudi crown prince MBS now wants to build an ultra-luxury island resort with the world’s largest coral garden which would be two and a half times the size of Vatican City.https://luxurylaunches.com/travel/shushad-islands-neom-city.php

 

FACEBOOK GROUP FOR IRISH PROPERTY BUYERS & INVESTORS

Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions:

As many of you might know, my annual property book The Irish Property Buyers’ Handbook (since 2011) was rebranded in 2018 and now appears as part of The Property Insider series, published by Oak Tree Press, the first three titles are now published and available here: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Tallon/

From 2020, the publishers and I wanted to ensure the content remains topical and we are now doing this by crowd-sourcing home buyer and investor queries, with crowd-sourced and editorial team answers.

Join the Facebook Group here to contribute: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/