Guinness Quarter Development – Craig O Reilly looks at the plans
Public consultation has been underway for Diageo’s regeneration of St James’s Gate. For the upcoming Guinness Quarter, Diageo have partnered with Ballymore to create a neighbourhood centered around residential living, entrepreneurship, creativity and commerce in what they are billing the “second chapter of St James’s Gate.” It is hoped that this regeneration will contribute to the overall growth of the Liberties area. Diageo evaluated possible partners on the basis of their ability to create a new mixed-use urban quarter.
Ballymore have been involved in large regeneration projects before; in urban settings such as Old Spitfields Market in London. They were chosen by Diageo after a three year search to find a partner.
Oliver Loomes, the Managing director of Diageo Ireland said:
“Since our announcement in 2017 we have been committed to doing it right and know that Ballymore shares our vision for the future of the site. We look forward to partnering with them on this exciting project. Our ambition is also to work with the Iveagh Trust, one of Dublin’s largest social housing providers, as a partner in this project.”
Chairman and chief executive of Ballymore Sean Mulryan noted they had a responsibility to preserve the heritage the area, and the ambition of the plan:
“Working together, Diageo, Ballymore, the local community and Dublin City Council, we will establish a new part of Dublin City for future generations, that supports Ireland’s growth economically, socially, and culturally. “
Apparently, any plans envisioned in 2017 were sent back to the drawing board, and the development has started from scratch, with Ballymore now in the process of putting together a blueprint based on Public consultation.
This blueprint is expected to contain proposals for 500 homes; a percentage of which will be designated as social housing. The Iveagh Trust are working together with the project and will manage social housing. It should also be noted that this number was suggested in 2017, and plans may have changed as to exact numbers.
Construction for the project is expected to take place over a period of ten years. It comprises a land area of 12.6 acres with a public realm of 2.5 acres.
One of the aims is also to make it Dublin’s first zero carbon district. Ballymore are examining how zero energy ratings can be met by using renewables and the re-use of existing buildings.
However, the news has also received some scepticism; Dublin City Councillor Darragh Moriarty spoke with RTE, criticising the news of public consultation as being a PR exercise, with little to consult on due to the lack of detail put forward so far.
That said, once the “masterplan” is sent to Dublin City Council Next year, we will hopefully learn more.