If you missed last week’s St. Patrick’s Day Sunday Property Round-Up, which was full of industry and tech/innovation news, you can catch up here: https://propertydistrict.ie/category/sunday-property-review/
Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, The Sunday Times publishes the Irish Rich List today, and below are a few stories that might be of particular interest…
- ‘Impact of Immersive Technologies on Construction’: CitA Technology Trend Event – 3rd April 2019 https://www.cita.ie/events/cita-technology-trend-event-april-2019/
- New Greystones.ie website to be launched http://wicklownews.net/2019/03/new-greystones-ie-website-to-be-launched/
- Buyer beware: Amsterdam seeks to ban buy-to-let on newbuild homes | World news | The Guardian https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/buyer-beware-amsterdam-seeks-to-ban-buy-to-let-on-newbuild-homes?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
- 20: The Construction Bid Process https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/the-construction-bid-process/
- On an average construction site in London, 28% of its workforce and 64% of its imported building materials coming from EU member states. So, what does Brexit mean for the UK construction industry?
With clear signs of the house building trade slowing down in the wake of Brexit uncertainty, the REalyst looks at its longer-term effects on the industry expected to build 3-million new homes by 2040. Read more: https://bit.ly/2WeeDBq
- “Under” – Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant (pictured above) https://snohetta.com/projects/428-under-europes-first-underwater-restaurant
- And below, Harry Crosbie’s letter – thanks to Ronald Quinlan for sharing:
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: #PropertyMatters
#PropertyMatters 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 (@iPropertyRadio). Seasoned political journalist and 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.
This week we were joined in studio by Ed Barrett and Daniel McLaughlin of Gravis Planning to discuss all things planning, objections and NIMBYism; and by WikiBuild founder and CEO Damian Brennan who told us about the role technology and proptech will play in preventing and dealing with building defects.
*Listen back to all #PropertyMatters episodes here: https://anchor.fm/ipropertyradio
Email the Property Matters team at hello@iPropertyRadio.com
Also, I joined in the Newstalk Lunchtime Live show earlier in the week to discuss Minister Josepha Madigan’s proposal to give local authorities greater power to vary property tax rates (they already have the power to vary the 0.18% by 15 %):
Listen back here: https://www.newstalk.com/shows/lunchtime-live-234859
PLACEMAKING
Public Consultation and Community Engagement
- The PostPlus section of The Sunday Business Post today has a feature on Donnybrook, Dublin 4 and asks the question: ‘What happens when a long-settled urban area becomes the target of property developers?’ At least they have the integrity to call out “the NIMBY factor” and address it (sort of…).
- Ghost estate turns into holiday village with a new restaurant https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/ghost-estate-turns-into-holiday-village-with-a-new-restaurant-1.3819187?mode=amp
- ‘It’s €15m of taxpayers’ money’ – Cost of proposed Cork-Limerick motorway being questioned https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/its-15m-of-taxpayers-money–cost-of-proposed-cork-limerick-motorway-being-questioned-911944.html
- Sounds familiar… Concerns as objection lodged against Arklow data centre http://wicklownews.net/2019/03/concerns-as-objection-lodged-against-arklow-data-centre/ The Sunday Business Post is the only Sunday paper to cover ths today with the headline: ‘Athenry data centre objector strikes again: Brian McDonagh launches appeal to stop new facility being built in his native Wicklow by Aldgate’. It’s worth remembering that in the course of his previous objection, the judge accused McDonagh of “significant non-disclosure and lack of candour”.
- Planning permission granted for €200 million Crown Square development – Galway Daily https://www.galwaydaily.com/news/crown-square-granted-planning-approval/
*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
- Murphy says it was ‘irresponsible’ to promise to end homelessness https://www.thejournal.ie/homeless-eoghan-murphy-4557297-Mar2019/?amp=1
- Opinion: How you see the Irish economy depends on if you’re a glass half-full or half-empty kind of person https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-the-irish-economy-is-still-going-strong-but-could-be-impacted-by-brexit-and-a-global-slowdown-4552599-Mar2019/
- The lead story in the Sunday Independent, by Wayne O’Connor and Louise McBride, reports that 2020 will see an end to homes in negative equity. This is according to the ESRI, Property Industry Ireland and Ronan Lyons.
- This is the subject of a follow up feature by Louise McBride on how homeowners can make huge savings on their mortgages (page 6, Money section).
- The lead business story in the Independent is by Michael Cogley and reports that developer Noel Smyth is planning to build more than 400 BTR apartments on four different sites across the capital, valued in excess of 100 million euro.
- The same journalist also reports that Bartra Capital (Richard Barrett) has lodged plans for a 725-bed, coliving development in Cookstown, near Tallaght.
- In the Property section, there is a feature for homeowners:12 Ways to Turn Your Home into an Airbnb Winner (just don’t forget to research the new rules due to come into effect this summer!).
- One of the lead business stories in The Sunday Times, by Niall Brady, is that Finance Ireland has relaunched its mortgage range and plans to reach up to 300 million euro in residential lending.
- In the same newspaper, Brian Carey writes that developer Joe Layden is planning to bring 77,000 sq.ft. of office space in Clonskeagh to the market.
- In the Money & Finance section of The Sunday Business Post, Jill Kirby writes that ‘Innovation is what the mortgage market needs: A new range of residential mortgage products could be just the thing to give consumers – and that includes retirees – more choice in the sector’.
- A beautiful ‘dream’ Dublin house worth €375,000 is up for grabs for just €100 https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/dream-dublin-house-1601006
- Dublin ranks in top 20 most expensive cities in the world https://amp.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-ranks-in-top-20-most-expensive-cities-in-the-world-911891.html
- Work on unfinished estates to cost City Hall €1.35m https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/Work-on-unfinished-estates-to-cost-City-Hall-135m-2f9d07b3-2533-4815-a80e-409b8f75913b-ds
- Worry over ‘cashback mortgage lure’ https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/worry-over-cashback-mortgage-lure-911671.html
- Useful mortgage market guide: Become a loan ranger in market – Independent.ie https://amp.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/become-a-loan-ranger-in-market-37942597.html
- Permanent TSB offers 7 year fixed mortgage rate https://www.rte.ie/amp/1037763/
- Loan scheme for first-time buyers needs another €600m – but government yet to decide on stumping up cash https://www.thejournal.ie/rebuilding-ireland-loan-4553373-Mar2019/
- A portfolio of classic Dublin properties for €46m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/a-portfolio-of-classic-dublin-properties-for-46m-1.3830324?mode=amp
- Over €3m available for home adaptation grants in Limerick https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/370034/over-3m-available-for-home-adaptation-grants-in-limerick.html
- Limerick Chamber: City needs 60,000 more people to live in its centre https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/371272/limerick-chamber-city-needs-60-000-more-people-to-live-in-its-centre.html
- Planning lodged for major €180m commercial development in Limerick city https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/371508/planning-lodged-for-major-180m-commercial-development-in-limerick-city.html
- Finance Ireland launches new range of residential mortgages https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/finance-ireland-launches-new-range-of-residential-mortgages-1.3830582?mode=amp
- Cork developer warns about lack of residential accommodation to house growing workforce and population https://amp.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/property/cork-developer-warns-about-lack-of-residential-accommodation-to-house-growing-workforce-and-population-912214.html
- Delivery of student accommodation surges as housing crisis rumbles on
‘Student accommodation projects are accounting for an increasing share of residential development activity as reflected in research conducted in conjunction with Construction Information Services (CIS). It shows that 6,060 bed-spaces were built in 22 student projects in Dublin, Cork and Galway between June 2016 and February 2019.’
https://amp.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/delivery-of-student-accommodation-surges-as-housing-crisis-rumbles-on-37934731.html
- Business people buying almost 25% of Irish farmland https://www.rte.ie/amp/1037674/
- Ballyboden site suitable for up to 212 homes for sale for €18m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/ballyboden-site-suitable-for-up-to-212-homes-for-sale-for-18m-1.3831257?mode=amp
- Dublin top Brexit pick for financial firms fleeing UK https://amp.independent.ie/business/brexit/dublin-top-brexit-pick-for-financial-firms-fleeing-uk-37934916.html
- Fitzwilliam sells Next flagship building on Henry Street for €44m https://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/fitzwilliam-sells-next-flagship-building-on-henry-street-for-44m-1.3834130?mode=amp
- A 3-storey aparthotel, for short term holiday let planned for Kilkenny https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/371210/a-3-storey-aparthotel-for-short-term-holiday-let-planned-for-kilkenny.html
- Hospitality outfit the Key Collection has lost an appeal to run short-term lets without permission https://fora.ie/short-term-lets-3-4556192-Mar2019/
- 50 jobs for solar energy company https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0324/1038234-jobs-wicklow-solar-energy/
Agile Agent – Digital Transformation for Independent Estate Agents
Q3 Programme updates available this week; to get involved and for free Proptech Prompts, please
Proptech and Construction Innovation
- Are you an Irish-led or Ireland-based #proptech business? If so, please take five minutes to add or update your details to our internationally-shared listing here: SIGN UP: PROPTECH INNOVATORSand to keep up-to-date on all things tech and innovation for the planning, construction and property industries, head over to http://www.prop-tech.ie. Also, we are on a mission to get every Irish construction and property technology business registered on the global proptech database UNISSU. More details here:https://prop-tech.ie/global-proptech-data-platform-unissu-com-is-launched/
- Buyers’ agents/house-hunters of future:
‘This AI-based #proptech startup just
raised $45M – OJO Labs created a virtual assistant for homebuying process’
https://therealdeal.com/2019/03/19/this-ai-based-real-estate-startup-just-raised-45m/
- Company Set To Transform Development Appraisals Raises Half A Million | Bdaily https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2019/03/13/company-set-to-transform-development-appraisals-raises-half-a-million
- New Platform Invites Global PropTech Community to Online Conventions | Propmodo https://www.propmodo.com/new-platform-aims-to-provide-global-proptech-access-with-online-conventions/
- PropTech Today: MIPIM competition suggests sensors and IoT are the future
https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/proptech-today-mipim-competition-suggests-sensors-and-iot-are-the-future
- ‘Impact of Immersive Technologies on Construction’: CitA Technology Trend Event – 3rd April 2019 https://www.cita.ie/events/cita-technology-trend-event-april-2019/
- VR proptech start-up, Inspace XR, raises $750,000 seed roundVR proptech start-up, Inspace XR, raises $750,000 seed round – techAU https://techau.com.au/vr-proptech-start-up-inspace-xr-raises-750000-seed-round/
- Prague-based Manifesto Market raises millions to create food and retail popup spaces across Europe | EU-Startups https://www.eu-startups.com/2019/03/prague-based-manifesto-market-raises-millions-to-create-food-and-retail-popup-spaces-across-europe/
- Top industry suppliers form new group offering agents ‘tech solutions’
https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/industrys-top-suppliers-form-new-group-offering-agents-tech-solutions?source=newsticker
- *The future of estate agency:
Agency branch will be ‘paperless’ with TV screens and PropTech
https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/agency-branch-will-be-paperless-with-tv-screens-and-proptech?source=newsticker
- Proptech disruptor Mashroom cuts out the letting agent – The Negotiator https://thenegotiator.co.uk/pay-the-tenant-to-find-a-replacement/
- This Los Angeles-Based Startup Is Making Waves In The Smart Office Space https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelicakrystledonati/2019/03/19/this-la-based-startup-is-making-waves-in-the-smart-office-space/#665f2fa5c434
- Major Purplebricks backer launches new PropTech start-up fund
https://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2019/3/major-purplebricks-backer-launches-new-proptech-start-up-fund?source=newsticker
- 4YFN: AI changes the renting | CoFounder https://www.cofmag.com/2019/03/ai-changes-the-renting/
- The We Company hires Studio Dror to head up “future cities” initiative https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/21/future-cities-the-we-company-studio-dror-di-ann-eisnor/amp/
- Ducey signs bill creating PropTech sandbox | AZ Big Media https://azbigmedia.com/ducey-signs-bill-creating-proptech-sandbox/
Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions: New Facebook Group for Irish Property Buyers & Investors
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/