Most unusually for this time of the year, we have a packed Property Round-Up this weekend! Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, below are a few local and international stories that might be of particular interest:
- “The M&E sector has changed hugely over the past decade. Anne Dooley, Managing Director, Winthrop, tells Carol Tallon about how some of these changes have influenced her leadership approach.” https://constructionnews.ie/anne-dooley-managing-director-winthrop/ via @ConstructionCIF
- Have you booked your ticket for BIM Gathering in September yet? https://www.bimgathering.ie “…where leaders & innovators in digital construction meet…”. Early-bird tickets close 15th August! (Thanks to Ralph Montague of ArcDox for sharing)
- US city the same size as Dublin on the verge of making public transport free | JOE.ie https://www.joe.ie/amp/life-style/us-city-size-dublin-verge-making-public-transport-free-677794
- New shared ownership scheme launches – with a catch – Which? News https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/08/new-scheme-offers-mortgage-free-homeownership-to-first-time-buyers/
- Inequality has been building in cities and property is why https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/inequality-has-been-building-in-cities-and-property-is-why-942187.html
- RTB threatened to take legal action if Take Back the City protested in its office again https://www.thejournal.ie/rtb-protest-legal-action-4748838-Aug2019/?amp=1
- Flatpacked homes: can modular buildings solve the UK’s housing crisis? | Design | The Guardian https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/06/flatpacked-homes-can-modular-buildings-solve-the-uks-housing-crisis
- How the US interprets Ireland’s #housingcrisis ‘Housing Crisis Grips Ireland a Decade After Property Bubble Burst’ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/world/europe/housing-crisis-ireland.html
- Dublin’s economy is strong but challenges lie ahead https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0808/1067602-dublins-economy-is-strong-but-challenges-lie-ahead/
- David McWilliams: The rules of economics have changed. Could someone tell central bankers? https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/david-mcwilliams-the-rules-of-economics-have-changed-could-someone-tell-central-bankers-1.3980708?mode=amp
- Colm McCarthy: ‘Danger signs for Ireland are plain to see in the gathering gloom’ – From climate change to the housing crisis and sterling heading south, Ireland has much to be worried about Independent.ie https://amp.independent.ie/opinion/comment/colm-mccarthy-danger-signs-for-ireland-are-plain-to-see-in-the-gathering-gloom-38392955.html
- In the UK: House prices fall unexpectedly as pre-Brexit caution bites https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/08/house-prices-fall-unexpectedly-pre-brexit-caution-bites
- Housing in Germany: Why are fewer young people buying their own homes? https://www.thelocal.de/20190809/housing-in-germany-why-are-fewer-young-people-buying-their-own-homes/amp
- Swedish furniture giant IKEA is partnering with construction company BoKlok to launch sustainable and affordable housing for those suffering from dementia:
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/swedish-furniture-giant-launches-affordable-housing-for-those-with-dementia
- Cities are getting hotter, but we can redesign them to keep us cool https://www.fastcompany.com/90379081/cities-are-getting-hotter-but-we-can-redesign-them-to-keep-us-cool
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@caroltallon.com.
(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). Seasoned political broadcaster, Bryan Fox, and I (Carol Tallon) team up to deliver 60 minutes of industry chat with guests from the areas of planning, construction, property and proptech. Produced by Katie Tallon of Hear Me Roar Media.
On Property Matters this week:
- David Jelly, founder of Property Bridges
- Adam Malik, head of business development for Equiem
- Antony Slumbers, digital strategist and product leader in the Proptech space
Listen back here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio/episodes/Property-Matters-August-6th-2019-e4t2h4
*Listen back to all #PropertyMatters episodes here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio
Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com
PLACEMAKING
PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Co-living has been heavily criticised in recent months, much of this can be attributed to a lack of understanding of the offering, the growing demand for alternative accommodation, evolving global (and Irish) real estate/lifestyle trends and, of course, political populism. As I reiterated on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk earlier this week (listen back here: ) and on our Property Matters co-living special last week (www.iPropertyRadio.com – https://lnkd.in/eB7P4Kx), every new home and every new bed space delivered during a housing crisis must be considered as part of the overall solution, even if these solutions give rise to other, secondary problems that will need to be tackled through cultural or policy reforms. Co-living will now appear in our regular placemaking section as this is exactly what it is. Ed Burke of RooMigo published an insightful article on this earlier this week, which you can read here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/co-living-dublin-ed-burke/?published=t
- Bartra Capital Property is one organization delivering purpose-designed and built individual shared living suites in Ireland. Check out http://www.nicheliving.ie/
- Check out this stunning new anamorphic mural in Dublin’s southside https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/new-mural-bushy-park-terenure-16692751 (image above)
- ‘Players Please’: Locals highlight history of Dublin 8 factory as redevelopment looms https://www.thejournal.ie/player-wills-dublin-8-photographs-4748609-Aug2019/?amp=1
- Building on Dublin Bay ‘could help the environment’ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/building-on-dublin-bay-could-help-the-environment-1.3977889?mode=amp
- Local reaction to the story above: Sandymount Strand housing plan: Public reaction https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/sandymount-strand-housing-plan-public-reaction-1.3977875?mode=amp
- And one further opinion piece on this: Building on Sandymount Strand https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/building-on-sandymount-strand-1.3981803?mode=amp
- 38 buildings to open to public for Cork Heritage Day https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2019/0807/1067536-cork-heritage-day/
- MetroLink plan: ‘The whole environment is going to be completely destroyed’ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/metrolink-plan-the-whole-environment-is-going-to-be-completely-destroyed-1.3980965?mode=am
*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*
OTHER PROPERTY NEWS
- In The Sunday Independent today, Dan O’Brien writes that ‘New Central Bank boss has little leeway to ease mortgage rules: The continued easing of the housing crisis is reflected in opinion polls, but there is still a distance to travel’.
- Gene Kerrigan also has an opinion piece on the housing crisis wherein he makes the point that “The housing crisis is treated as though it came out of nowhere. There is a context, it didn’t just happen”.
- In The Business section of the Sunday Independent today, Fearghal O’Connor quotes director-general of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Tom Parlon that delays in infrastructure are due to “paralysis”.
- The lead business story in The Sunday Times today by Brian Carey, reports that Core Reit, the industriall real estate investment trust gets “new American backer as IPO deadline looms.
- The same journalist reports that DWS (part of Deutsche Bank) has emerged as the preferred bidder of Dublin’s Point Campus, which will be the largest off-campus student accommodation centre in Ireland.
- Also in The Sunday Times today, Gavin Daly reports that silver bloom (Fergus Lynch) has lodged plans to build an 11-storey apartment block in Donnybrook on the site of Jefferson House.
- Also in the SBP today, leading firm C+W O’Brien Architects is celebrated for its innovation and excellence when working on the design of Ireland’s biggest modular construction project. The firm is shortlisted for the global AJ100 International Practice of the Year award – best of luck to all the team there!
- Jill Kerby has a feature for downsizers. In this feature she describes how “older people are often encouraged to move to smaller homes, but it is easier said than done in a market dominated by buy-to-let developments”.
- In The Sunday Business Post today: Moving houses: Banks sitting on over 1,000 vacant properties | BusinessPost.ie https://www.businesspost.ie/news/moving-houses-449895?preview=1
- Our ultimate first-time buyer jargon buster: what 11 common phrases actually mean | Her.ie https://www.her.ie/amp/life/ultimate-first-time-buyer-jargon-buster-11-common-phrases-actually-mean-475558
- The most common causes of property disputes https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-most-common-causes-of-property-disputes-n9qfbdh82
- House prices to slow to crawl if crash-out Brexit hits, says KBC Bank Ireland chief https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/house-prices-to-slow-to-crawl-if-crash-out-brexit-hits-says-kbc-bank-ireland-chief-942764.html
- What will €250,000 buy in Dublin 3 and Co Kerry? https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/what-will-250-000-buy-in-dublin-3-and-co-kerry-1.3979662?mode=amp
- How we can put housing market to right? https://www.echolive.ie/opinion/How-we-can-put-housing-market-to-right-a5ba3765-fd55-45cb-89f6-3c2d1a200802-ds
- AIB’s Haven introduces 7 & 10 year fixed rate mortgages https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/0808/1067623-aibs-haven-introduces-7-10-year-fixed-rate-mortgages/
- Mortgage lending up 12% in first half of 2019 https://www.rte.ie/amp/1067978/
- Council Signs Agreement to Lease Social Housing from Bartra https://www.dublininquirer.com/2019/08/07/council-signs-agreement-to-lease-social-housing-from-bartra
- New owners of landmark historic property in Limerick https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/437058/new-owners-of-landmark-historic-property-in-limerick.html
- Murphy pushed Airbnb crackdown on Ross – who is being blamed for ‘softer regulation’ – Independent.ie https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/murphy-pushed-airbnb-crackdown-on-ross-who-is-being-blamed-for-softer-regulation-38373992.html
- Just 8 ‘change of use’ planning applications submitted to Dublin City Council https://www.thejournal.ie/short-term-let-laws-applications-to-council-4759642-Aug2019/
- ‘Incompetent’ Eoghan Murphy let colleges duck rent pressure zone rules – Independent.ie https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/education/incompetent-eoghan-murphy-let-colleges-duck-rent-pressure-zone-rules-38385152.html
- Colleges are cashing in as their rent income soars by millions – Independent.ie https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/colleges-are-cashing-in-as-their-rent-income-soars-by-millions-38388185.html
- Over 1,700 affordable homes to be built on council sites https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/over-1-700-affordable-homes-to-be-built-on-council-sites-1.3977834
- Fears over Gravity Bar views delay Marlet apartment plans – Independent.ie https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/fears-over-gravity-bar-views-delay-dublin-apartment-plans-38390305.html
- Johnny Ronan’s bid to add floors at Dublin docklands tower rejected again https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/johnny-ronan-s-bid-to-add-floors-at-dublin-docklands-tower-rejected-again-1.3978869?mode=amp
- In The Sunday Business Post today, Roisin Burke quotes developer Johnny Ronan who says latest planning refusal “makes Ireland look like a banana republic”.
- Company lodges planning for construction of massive industrial buildings in Carlow https://www.carlowlive.ie/news/home/436174/company-lodges-planning-for-construction-of-massive-industrial-buildings-in-bagenalstown.html
- Rental income increases at Ireland’s biggest private landlord – Independent.ie https://amp-independent-ie.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/rental-income-increases-at-irelands-biggest-private-landlord-38388624.html
- Yet… Profit at State’s largest landlord halves despite rent increases:
Ires Reit eyes Brexit prospects, and points to ‘large mismatch’ in supply and demand
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/profit-at-state-s-largest-landlord-halves-despite-rent-increases-1.3981547?mode=amp
- Planning board rejected almost a third of ‘fast-track’ proposals in 2018 – Independent.ie https://amp-independent-ie.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/planning-board-rejected-almost-a-third-of-fasttrack-proposals-in-2018-38391846.html
- Judge rejects claims against developers of the Ormond Hotel on Dublin quays:
‘A High Court judge has dismissed claims that redevelopment works at the Ormond Hotel in Dublin are in breach of the planning laws.
Mr Justice Charles Meenan rejected claims brought by Urban Entertainment Ltd trading as the Bagots Hutton restaurant, which is located beside the site, owned by Monteco Holdings Ltd, where the new hotel is being built.’
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/judge-rejects-claims-against-developers-of-the-ormond-hotel-on-dublin-quays-1.3981735?mode=amp
- Desmond-linked firm in court action over housing development https://www-irishtimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/desmond-linked-firm-in-court-action-over-housing-development-1.3982053?mode=amp
- Dublin Port Company settles High Court action over site required to deal with Brexit impact https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-port-company-high-court-brexit-4759745-Aug2019/?amp=1
- UK industry news: Reverse charge VAT: Construction industry begs for time https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/reverse-charge-vat-construction-industry-begs-for-time.
- Prefab factory in the sky: Mace Group built working factories on top of under-construction skyscrapers https://www.bdcnetwork.com/prefab-factory-sky-mace-group-built-working-factories-top-under-construction-skyscrapers
- Dutch team develops ‘fold-out’ energy tower https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/dutch-team-develops-fold-out-energy-tower
THE AGILE AGENT
GETTING IRELAND’S PROPERTY MARKETPLACE DIGITAL BY DEFAULT
The Agile Agent is a 12-month digital transformation programme for independent Irish estate agents and auctioneers, which runs from September – August. This programme will be delivered by a multi-disciplinary Irish and UK team and will go beyond proptech adoption to help agents get their industry digital by default.
To get involved and for free Proptech Prompts, please
PROPTECH AND CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION
- From smart design and planning right through to the smart property transaction, where does your Irish-led or Ireland-based #proptech 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 *
- Startups Weekly: Angel vs. VC – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/10/startups-weekly-angel-vs-vc/
- In Real Estate, Intelligence Is the New Location | Propmodo https://www.propmodo.com/in-real-estate-intelligence-is-the-new-location/
- Agent performance and house valuations revealed by new PropTech tool https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/8/proptech-tool-offers-sellers-info-on-agent-performance-and-valuations
- BIM for bridges https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/bim-for-bridges
- Future of #Proptech: The Next Billion-dollar Opportunities https://www.entrepreneur.com/amphtml/337763
- Why Dubai wants to be a 3D printed city – CNN https://edition.cnn.com/style/amp/dubai-3d-printed-buildings-intl/index.html (image above)
- Integration is Key to a Smart Building’s Success or Failure https://memoori.com/integration-is-key-to-a-smart-buildings-success-or-failure/
- ‘One Bangkok’, Thailand’s Largest Fully Integrated District, Unveils Masterplan http://onebangkok.com/en/News/get_content_news/1425
- Morty raises $8.5M Series A to help first-time homebuyers secure their mortgages – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/07/morty-raises-8-5m-series-a-to-help-first-time-homebuyers-secure-their-mortgages/amp/
- Dubliner wins Australia’s top award for women in tech start-ups https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/annie-slattery-conx-award
- Zoopla tool will capture leads from Facebook and Instagram … https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/8/new-zoopla-proptech-tool-promotes-agents-on-facebook-and-instagram?source=newsticker
- Technology’s Role in Making Our Cities More Affordable | Propmodo https://www.propmodo.com/technologys-role-in-making-our-cities-more-affordable/
- Artificial Intelligence could help agents cope with industry regulation: #AI
https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/8/artificial-intelligence-could-help-agents-cope-with-industry-regulation?source=newsticker
- Procore Ups Startup Acquisition Pace As Construction Tech Consolidation Continues https://news.crunchbase.com/news/procore-ups-startup-acquisition-pace-as-construction-tech-consolidation-continues/
- What it’s like to use Modsy, Havenly, Ikea, and Roomstyler to design your apartment (augmented reality) https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/9/20798453/modsy-havenly-ikea-roomstyler-e-interior-design-services-review-virtual-home-redecoration
- Venture Capital and Commercial Real Estate | GlobeSt https://www.globest.com/2019/08/09/venture-capital-and-commercial-real-estate/
- WATCH: JPMorgan cultivates WeWork relationship on long road to IPO | IOL Business Report https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/companies/watch-jpmorgan-cultivates-wework-relationship-on-long-road-to-ipo-30489517
NEW 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 will now appear as part of The Property Insider series, published by Oak Tree Press, the first three titles are now published and available here.
From 2019, the publishers and I want to ensure the content remains topical and we are 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/