Tag Archives: co-living apartment schemes

Proposed ‘co-living’ redevelopment of the former CBS school in Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

In May it was reported that plans to develop a former Christian Brothers’ School on on Eblana Avenue in Dún Laoghaire into a five-story 208-bedroom ‘co-living’ development – with 42 bedrooms per floor – had been submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Bartra Capital.

The scheme offers residents rooms with “a pull-down double bed, a shower, lavatory, sink, kettle, mini-fridge and storage with communal kitchen and living areas for a minimum €1,300 a month”.

The proposals were given the go-ahead last month.

Earlier this month, Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor at The Irish Times, reported that more student accommodation spaces were granted permission this year than any other type of housing under a ‘fast track’ planning system.

Ms Kelly reported that, in the first six months of 2019, An Bord Pleanala granted permission for 1,870 houses, 2,953 apartments, 414 build-to-rent units and 3,094 student bed–spaces.

The fast track system, introduced two years ago, allows applications for schemes to bypass the local authority decision phase.

Although it was scheduled to finish at the end of this year, the Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy – who last month admitted his regret over comparing a co-living space to a “very trendy, kind of boutique hotel type place” – is considering keeping the system in place for another two years.

Further to this…

Previously: Co-Living In Dún Laoghaire

Related: More student beds than apartments given go ahead under fast-track system (Olivia Kelly, The Irish Times, August 3, 2019)

 Bartra Capital’s planned redevelopment of the former CBS school in Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire; Director General of the Construction Industry Federation of Ireland Tom Parlon

Yesterday.

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy was speaking at a Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and Department of Housing conference in Dublin when he defended the development of co-living apartment schemes.

These are blocks which allow for people to rent studio rooms – smaller than a disabled car parking space –  with communal facilities such as kitchens and laundries.

Planning permission is currently being sought for such apartment in Dun Laoghaire where the rent will be €1,300 a room.

Mr Murphy said the schemes are an “exciting” choice to young workers.

The matter was discussed on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Seán O’Rourke this morning with Tom Parlon, director general of the Construction Industry Federation of Ireland, architect Orla Hegarty and GP and Dublin City councillor Paddy Smyth taking part in the discussion.

Mr Parlon said there is interest among CIF members in constructing these schemes for developers and claimed this is the type of housing people aged 21 to 35 are seeking.

These types of developments are attracting capital, he said.

He added: “It wouldn’t be for me but…I think it’s important that we understand that there’s an absolute niche for this and it is a global trend.”

Ms Hegarty warned if planning permission for these schemes is granted the value of land involved would effectively double and this would make it less economic to build much-needed apartments.

She also said people renting the rooms for €1,300 would have to be earning a lot to pay that and possibly forgo any chance of saving for a deposit.

Ms Hegarty also said that this type of housing is “not a sustainable solution” as the buildings are very “inflexible” for future accommodation.

She added that building these types of apartment blocks could lead to further sprawl and institutionalise students, people who are in their 20s and 30s and elderly people.

Ms Hegarty said when this kind of model is built in other cities “it is regulated and contained”.

She explained: “What has happened here is it being completely deregulated and there’s a proposal [not granted yet] for 700 bed spaces in an industrial estate in Tallaght – 200 of which are within this model. Now that isn’t appropriate development.”

Listen back in full here

Previously: Co-Living In Dun Laoghaire