Reply To: Office blocks @ Kilmainham Gaol & Royal Hospital

From todays Independent…

Green light for historic Nestlé site

THE ambitious and controversial development proposed for the Nestle Rowntree site, opposite Kilmainham Jail in Dublin 8, has just been granted the green light by the capital’s planners and already a pre-let has been agreed.

The scheme, by Charmside Ltd (a Treasury Holdings company) will be located on a four acre site opposite the South Circular Road entrance to the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The site was in use up to eighteen months ago as a manufacturing base for Nestle Ireland and was subsequently acquired by Treasury for almost £10m

The new development, a variation of one already under appeal with an Bord Pleanala, will comprise three office blocks, capable of sub-division, with a lettable area of 32,217 sq.m. There are 572 parking space, a large restaurant, creche, 625 sq.m gymnasium and ample retail and tourism space which will be at ground floor level.

Strategically located between the city centre and the M50, the site has prominent corner frontage with views of the Phoenix Park to the rear. It is also five minutes walk from the refurbished Heuston Station and new Luas Davitt Road line.

However, the scheme has its opponents who are currently objecting to a separate planning permission granted earlier this year. They argue that the development will loom over the jail and its Victorian streetscape and could impact on tourism in this area. The appeals board is due to make a decision on the earlier permission next month,according to Treasury Holding’s John Bruder.

Mr Bruder is hopeful that a decision will not be delayed because there is already a pre-let agreed for space here, subject to planning. Contrary to many market reports, John Bruder says there is a great deal of domestically-generated demand for office space. Two different occupiers are seeking 6,500 sq.m. in Kilmainham and Central Park. This is the large office park project in Sandyford, Co Dublin that is 50pc owned by Treasury Holdings. Offices in the proposed new Spencer Dock development and on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay are also in demand, mostly from indigenous companies, he reports.