Development plan for Dublin’s Liberties announced

Planning permission will soon be lodged for a 400,000sq ft development expected to cost around €200m

An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.
An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.

Planning permission “is in the process of being lodged” for a major development in Dublin’s Liberties which is expected to cost roughly €200 million.

The overall scheme will “regenerate part of the liberties” and will extend to over 400,000sq ft when completed. The regeneration element of the project includes the demolition of 1970s enterprise centre as well as work on Mill Street.

Included in the scheme located in the Newmarket Square area of Dublin’s south inner city is a 239 bedroom hotel, an indoor market, a micro brewery, retail and office space and residential accommodation.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.
An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.
An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.
An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Newmarket Square in Dublin’s Liberties.

According to developers that area of the Liberties has suffered significant neglect in recent decades but is starting to witness “a re-birth” on the back of the Teeling Distillery and some outdoor markets. Additionally, the area has recently seen the construction of both student accommodation and hotels.

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“We believe now is the time to transform the old enterprise centre into a residential and retail hub, with an iconic hotel and other attractions which will encourage people to not alone visit but reside in the heart of Dublin”, said a spokesman for Newmarket Partnership, the company behind the development.

Interest in developing the area has been picking up in recent months after Dublin City Council announced its plan to develop a “high quality, multi functional market square and city wide destination.”

“The aim is to encourage day and night time activities around the public open spaces and create a public realm that prioritises walking, cycling and easy street crossing”, documents related to the council’s development said.

At the time that project was announced, it was estimated that it would cost between €3 million and €4 million. The deadline for submissions on the council’s plans closed was April 20th but a decision on the application has not yet been made.

Another hotel was recently awarded planning permission in the area. A four star 234 bedroom hotel on Dean Street being built by the Hodson Bay Group is expected to open in 2018.

Partnership

The development announced Monday is a partnership between developers Martin Creedon and Robert Simpson. Both men are directors of a number of companies involved in the construction sector.

Cushman & Wakefield will ultimately handle the development designed in partnership between Reddy Architecture and Urbanism & Mola.

Despite the fact that the development is currently in the very early stages of planning, it is expected that some 1,700 permanent jobs will be created upon completion while there’ll be around 500 jobs created during the construction phase.

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in business