Unlike last week, construction and property-related coverage across the broadsheets today is quite light – the upcoming vote and royal wedding dominate. If you missed last week’s round-up (and have time) I recommend catching up here: 13th May 2018
The Sunday Independent has an interiors special as part of their magazine today, there are some genuinely practical and useful tips in here, which isn’t always the case when it comes to aspirational interior design! Hint: Wabi sabi is where it’s at.
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!)
Sunday Read
There was a massive industry reaction (mainly from estate agents) to the two stories in last weekend’s broadsheets about increased complaints to the PSRA (up 16% last year) and the prevailing perception of ‘phantom bidders’ for private treaty sales. You can read about #Proptech : The Property Business Imperative – If not now, when? here: http://prop-tech.ie/proptech-the-property-business-imperative/
Other Property News
850 homes could be coming to Carrickmines: “We know that the future of housing is changing, both in terms of what new buyers want and in how we can deliver on those expectations. Our development in Carrickmines will be the model for modern housing.”
https://dublingazette.com/news/south-dublin-news/850-homes-could-be-coming-to-carrickmines/
- Cashing in on the recovery of the property market – Shareholders and executives reap rewards of recovery driven by property supply shortage: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/construction/cashing-in-on-the-recovery-of-the-property-market-1.3499275?mode=amp
- The Boland’s Quay site on Dublin’s Barrow Street has been sold to tech giant Googleat a total cost of about €300 million, it is understood: https://www-irishtimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/google-buys-bolands-quay-site-in-dublin-s-docklands-1.3500256?mode=amp
- €18m sought for D9 site with planning for 358 apartments – Swords Road site on 6.75 acres also has approval for 10.76sq m of commercial space: https://www-irishtimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/18m-sought-for-d9-site-with-planning-for-358-apartments-1.3494728?mode=amp
- Fire advice is to flee as tests show Grenfell-style cladding unsafe – Fire brigade tells 101 tower blocks in capital that ‘stay put’ policy could put lives at risk: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/19/grenfell-tower-fire-tests-cladding-unsafe-fire-brigade-advice-to-flee
- Rural Development Scheme Launches In Clare: http://www.constructionireland.ie/construction-news/244765/rural-development-scheme-launches-in-clare
- Plans for one of Ireland’s biggest mosques get green light – Neurosurgeon building Blanchardstown complex for family killed in arson attack: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/plans-for-one-of-ireland-s-biggest-mosques-get-green-light-1.3495014
- A MAJOR HOUSEBUILDER is planning to develop more than 200 homes on the site of Dublin’s second-most expensive house – Cairn Homes has been in discussions with An Bord Pleanála about plans to construct 217 houses on the grounds of Chesterfield House through the new fast-track planning system: http://www.thejournal.ie/cairn-homes-chesterfield-house-3-4020655-May2018/
- New Student Accommodation In South Dublin Town Would Make Like “Communist Europe”
Independent councillor Deirdre Donnelly has raised concerns: https://lovindublin.com/news/new-student-accommodation-would-make-south-dublin-town-look-like-communist-europe
- Contractors for one of the most complex roads projects ever undertaken in this country could be appointed within weeks: https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/dunkettle-contractor-appointment-could-happen-within-weeks-470847.html
- Fearghal O’Connor reports that “Kennedys get five more years to build 400 homes“. The story relates to planning on the much-watched Stapolin site in Baldoyle, which has now been granted a five-year extension to its planning permission. This is quite an unusual decision given the strategic location of the site and the urgent need for housing in the immediate area.
- Ronald Quinlan reports that Lisney has now acquired hospitality industry leaders Morrissey’s and Tony Morrissey will join the board of Lisney to head up their newly created pub, restaurant and hotel division.
- Gavin McLoughlin has an article in the Business section of the Independent about Marlet Property (Pat Crean) securing a €115 million facility from Deutsche Bank to fund a major development in Dublin’s Silicon Docks.
- Garrett Kelleher’s “ill-fated” Chicago Spire site is rarely out of the news, today Ronald Quinlan reveals that there is now a plan to build twin skyscrapers on the site.
- In his weekly start-up column, Sean Gallagher interviews co-founder Rowena Quinn and the team behind Hunters Estate Agents in Dublin. Key takeaways from the interview are Rowena’s top tips for other businesses to embrace technology, surround themselves with like-minded people and to be strategic. Excellent advice!
- In The Sunday Business Post today editor Ian Guider writes that “PTSB in plan to sell off 2000 properties-homes voluntarily surrendered to bank in return for debt deals”.
- Tom Lyons has an interesting piece in the SBP today outlining Clyde Real Estate’s (Sean Gallagher) €100 million plan to develop sites in Dublin, Cork, Dundalk and Carlow. The sites will host a mix of office and industrial, however, the company is also looking to create “some residential units to create a blended work and live environment“. In the same article, the journalist includes three lessons from Sean Gallagher‘s new book ‘Secrets to Success’ and I think they’re worth sharing here: 1. Nobody ever starts with a big business, everybody starts small. 2. Nobody ever scales business on their own, you need the right team with the right skill set. 3. We need to change our attitude towards risk and failure, failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey. *I think all of these points are particularly relevant in the property development space in Ireland.
- Colette Sexton reports that Mac Group are expanding to hire a further 50 staff, which will bring its total employees to 190. This expansion comes on the back of new contract wins including the logistics centre in Baldonnell.
- On page 6 of the Money & Finance section in the SBP today there is a Bloomberg article by Lionel Laurent entitled ‘Maybe block chain isn’t as cool as it thinks it is’. The article highlights the fact that billionaire tech leaders have been slow to champion cryptocurrencies and to use emerging blockchain technologies. In fact, the article states that “the dinosaurs on Wall Street have been more aggressive.“ It also poses the question as to whether tech firms are reluctant to embrace block chain because they see it as a threat, however, given the size and power of these tech leaders, this seems unlikely. “But maybe the tech elite know something we don’t.“
Scam artist using Dubliner’s pictures and drivers licence to rent unavailable properties – Con artist sent picture of man with his cat taken from social media to ‘prove’ identity: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/scam-artist-using-dubliners-pictures-and-drivers-licence-to-rent-unavailable-properties-36912612.html
The SBP Property supplement has a good construction round-up courtesy of CIS Ireland.com including:
- ABP Has been granted planning for a €21 million/204 unit housing development in Cork on the site of the former Nemo Rangers GAA grounds.
- John Paul Construction has started work on phase 3 of a €31 million/246 unit development at Clancy Quay, SCR, Dublin 8.
- Work is underway to refurbish and extend Malahide Casino.
- Megan Builders has commenced works on a €21 million residential site at Killycard, Castleblayney in County Monaghan.
Proptech and Construction Innovation
- Potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to Transform Property in Ireland
http://prop-tech.ie/potential-of-ai-to-transform-property-in-ireland/
- Brooklyn Is Latest Community to Open Itself up to Smart City Pilots | Propmodo“Some investors in PropTech stay away from government facing technologies. But as Winston Churchill famously said, “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms.”https://propmodo.com/brooklyn-is-latest-community-to-open-itself-up-to-smart-city-pilots/
- 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, the national resource website for innovators, investors and mentors or email news@proptech.ie .
Property Insiders Guide
As many of you might know, my annual property book The Irish Property Buyers’ Handbook (since 2011) has undergone a rebrand for 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.