Here is an update on the public housing projects under City Architects direction on behalf of Dublin City Council Housing department. Projects are varied and include new build, refurbishment and extensions of existing DCC homes.

Approximately 150 homes will be completed by the end of 2018 and 270+ homes by the end of 2019. In addition a further 950+ homes are planned to commence over the next two years.

These include the following;
2018 completions
• Vacant bedsit amalgamations at St. Bricin’s Park, D7; Basin St, D8; Glasanoan Court, D11 and Richmond Road, D3.
• New system build homes at Cherry Orchard, D10 (phase 1); Woodbank Ave and Rathvilly Park D11.
• Phase 1: New build and refurbishment of existing homes at Dolphin House, a key City Architect regeneration project

• Individual house extensions and adaptation works

2019 completions
• Refurbishment of existing apartments at Priory Hall, D13 and Ballybough Road, D3
• New system build homes at Cherry Orchard (phase 2); Fishamble St, D2 and Bunratty Road, D17
• Individual house extensions and adaptation works

2018 Commencements
• Phase 1 new build at O’Devaney Gardens, D7, another key regeneration project due for completion 2020;
• New homes at Cornamona Court, D10; Margaret Kennedy Sq, D8; Dominick St, D1 and North King St, D7

2019 Commencements
• New Build at Croke Villas, D3; Infirmary Road, D7 and Phase 2 of Dolphin House D8
• System build homes at Bonham St, D8; Cork St D8; Chapelizod D20; Woodville, D5 and Grand Canal Basin, D2
• Traveller Housing: Provision of new and upgrading of existing accommodation at various sites

Image: 48 Fleet St, D2

‘Dangerous Buildings’ is a statutory section within DCC, under the direction of the City Architect, which is concerned with buildings, structures or sites deemed a danger to the public. It operates under the remit of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as amended.

‘Dangerous Buildings’ work includes monitoring, inspecting, reporting, removing or making safe any building or structure perceived to be a danger within the Dublin City Council area. A team of four DB Inspectors monitor and respond to reports on a day-to-day basis. We do not take action under DB legislation without proper and expert consideration. This will range from undertaking structural engineering surveys and obtaining detailed Conservation Officer advice where appropriate. We will always look to undertake the least invasive works in making a structure safe and only undertake demolition in whole or in part when absolutely necessary. It is also important to emphasise that, under the DB legislation, we cannot undertake remedial works to a property beyond ‘making safe’.

DB Notices are issued to the owners of properties advising necessary remedial action or, as a last resort, taking immediate action to remove danger and making safe. These Notices take the form of:

DB.3 (black) – requires the owner of the property to carry out the described works necessary within 28 days;

DB.2 (green) – requires the owner of the property to carry out the described works necessary within 14 days;

DB.1 (red) – enables the DB Inspector to access the site with the necessary equipment and personnel to immediately make safe and eliminate danger at the property or structure. DCC DB will look to recoup any costs associated with the works from the owner on completion.

Following on from the 2016 and 2017 series of notices.

DB1 notices issued in June & July 2018 are as follows:

06.2018 – 48 Fleet Street, D2

Concrete moulding collapsed onto public footpath

Loose mouldings & debris removed.

06.2018 – The Drake Inn, 59-60 Main Street, Finglas, D11

Decorative light fitting, detached from support hanging by cable.

Removed light fitting.

06.2018 – 42-44 Thomas Street, D8

Shop-front signage partially detached from fixings.

Secured & partially removed shop-front signage.

06.2018 – 13 Crumlin Village (Somerville House) D 12 – Protected Structure

Broken glass to front door opening.

Re-secured front door opening.

06.2018 – 124G Emmet Road, Inchicore, D 8

Ground floor door open to entry.

Re-secured door.

06.2018 – Former ‘Royal Oak’ site, Finglas, D11

Collapsed hoarding & site open to entry.

Re-secured hoarding & site.

JULY Notices

07.2018 – 93 North Circular Road, D7 – Protected Structure

Rear or premises structurally compromised & open to entry.

Re-secured premises.

07.2018 – 203 Decies Road, Ballyfermot, D 10

Loose & broken glass to first floor front window opening.

Removed broken glass.

07.2018 – 9A/B Trinity Street, D2 – Protected Structure

Section of parapet detached & fallen into footpath below.

Checked remaining parapet & secured with netting.

The LAB was established by Dublin City Council in 2005 as a municipal arts hub providing gallery, rehearsal and incubation space for a range of art forms. The building was developed through a public private partnership. The LAB supports emerging artists who are selected to exhibit their work on a month by month basis. The busy schedule of artists exhibiting in the gallery means there is a need for them to store their work in the LAB throughout the year.

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Having made good progress exploring the benefits of system building /prefabrication in the construction of two-storey housing (152 homes complete and 70 homes due for completion this year), Dublin City Council is now looking (more…)

Quality of the built environment and sustainability are two key concerns in the provision of successful housing developments. In 2014 Dublin City Council initiated a programme for the refurbishment and amalgamation of existing small bedsit units (23-26sqm) increasing their size to meet current space standards and improve overall energy efficiency.

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Rutland Street National School (formerly the Pro Cathedral School) was constructed between 1910 and 1912, as a response to the lack of school places and the conditions of existing school buildings in the North East Inner City.  Designed by Aislin and Coleman Architects, it is an early example (more…)

Dublin City Council has recently signed a contract with PJ.Carey (Contractors) Limited to build 56 new homes at O’Devaney Gardens, Dublin 7. Construction work will start in July and it is planned to be complete by early 2020. This work represents (more…)

3 Ushers Quay, Dublin 8 – Protected Structure.

‘Dangerous Buildings’ is a statutory section within DCC, under the direction of the City Architect, which is concerned with buildings, structures or sites deemed a danger to the public. It operates under the remit of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 as amended.

(more…)

Crampton Buildings forms a small city block with frontage onto Crampton Quay overlooking the river Liffey. Here are some images and notes about the extensive renovation works completed in 2016. (more…)

There has been discussion and reportage in the media recently on Dublin City Council’s flat complex regeneration plans, with particular focus on complexes built between 1930 and 1950.

To clarify, Dublin City Council has not planned the demolition of any of the blocks designed by Herbert Simms (aside from those already being redeveloped as part of the Teresa’s Gardens regeneration programme) nor planned de-listing of these blocks and there is no current suggestion of changing this position. (more…)