Developers pay £8m for 2.6 acre scrapyard in Smithfield

A business consortium is planning a major commercial and residential development on one of the last remaining sites at Smithfield, Dublin 7. The consortium, led by property developers Paddy Kelly, John Flynn and Joe Linders, has paid in the region of £8 million for a site of over 2.6 acres which has been used as car scrapyard by Mr Charlie Duffy for many years.

Although the new owners have yet to decide on a precise plan for the site, they are likely to seek planning permission for a development of at least 750,000 sq ft over a basement car park. This will include more than 300 apartments, a 200-bedroom hotel, offices and about 75,000 sq ft of retail space. The consortium is also expected to open negotiations with the owners of an adjoining site of 1.3 acres to agree on an overall strategy for the southern side of Smithfield. Dublin Corporation has already served notice of its intention to compulsorily acquire part of the southern side of the square, although it may not now pursue this course once it is satisfied that the planned developments comply with its guidelines. Mr Kelly's consortium is to consider setting aside part of the estimated £150 million development for a music centre, theatre or other live shows as well as for arts and crafts. The combined area of almost four acres is one of the largest remaining sites in the north inner city.

The former Jameson distillery site on the opposite side of Smithfield is currently being redeveloped for apartments, shops and a hotel. Most of the apartments were sold off the plans by agents Hooke and MacDonald who specialise in the inner city residential market. Around 1,000 new apartments have been completed in the Smithfield area over the past few years and several more schemes are in the pipeline.

A Dublin firm of architects McGarry NiEanaigh recently won a competition organised by Dublin Corporation to make Smithfield "the major space for Dublin in the 21st century". The firm has proposed that 12 tall masts with beacons that can be seen all over Dublin should be used to light Smithfield. The architects' plan endorses the corporation's wish to retain Smithfield as a lively market.

A consortium led Mr Kelly and the other businessman is currently building the 350,000 sq ft Belfield Office Park in Clonskeagh, Dublin 4.