PRESS RELEASE:
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 4th JULY 2009
The Mountbrook Group are to lodge a planning application for a mixed use development on the front portion of the AIB Bankcentre site, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, opposite the RDS. Mountbrook purchased the site from AIB in July 2006 for the sum of €207 million and AIB continue as tenants.
Designed by Ian Ritchie, architect of the Spire in O’Connell Street, the proposed development is an innovative, medium density development that merges building and landscape elements. There are six blocks in total varying in height from six to nine floors. One block adjacent to the Horse Show House pub and fronting on to Merrion Road will be a residential building consisting of 12 large, family sized apartments with an average floor area of 240 sq m (2600 sq ft). All of the apartments are dual aspect, naturally ventilated and each is provided with a generous series of winter gardens and balconies.
The development will achieve maximum environmental sustainability and the proposed office design represents a new typology for the Dublin market. The office blocks proposed are significantly shallower than normal floor plates; daylight is allowed deep into the buildings and occupants are always close to an external landscaped space. The buildings are architecturally designed to create sustainable buildings suitable for low energy, low carbon consumption.
The recent planning application granted by An Bord Pleanála for the Veterinary College site provides for a density of 4:1 with building heights allowed of ten storeys. The density in this application is 2.95:1 with the average building height being seven storeys.
The urban design of this high profile site will reinforce the existing pedestrian route to Lansdowne Road DART station and new Aviva Stadium allowing convenient public access through the development while enjoying the retail, café/restaurant amenities.
All of the existing trees on the perimeter of the site are to be retained and a further of 80 mature trees will be planted.
The economic impact of this development should not be underestimated.
Direct employment during the construction phase is estimated to average 340 jobs per year on site with 150 jobs off site during the course of construction. Once complete the proposed development will accommodate 2,500 people in full time employment. The development will generate a gross value added to the city economy of €302 million per annum. The development will take 3 years to complete. Potential tenants are AIB Plc, local Embassies and other corporate headquarters occupiers. AIB currently occupy 10,000 sq m on this site.
SCHEDULE OF DEVELOPMENT
Office:
Ranging in height from 6 to 9 floor, the 47,105 sqm of office accommodation is distributed across 5 buildings.
Residential :
Overlooking Merrion Road, this element of the proposed development comprises 3790sqm of residential accommodation located in Building 6. Consisting of 3 no. 2 bedroom apartments, 7 no. 3 bedroom apartments and 2 no. 4 bedroom apartments, it provides a total of 12 units with varied layouts. Average floor area 240 sq m/2,600 sq ft.
Retail:
Addressing Merrion Road and distributed over ground and lower ground floors, the retail element of the proposed development consists of approximately 755sqm of accommodation including back of house/circulation space . The small convenience element will service the shopping needs of employees and local residents in the scheme, thereby avoiding the need for top-up generated off-site trips.
Café/Restaurant:
The café/restaurant of 220sqm is included within the proposal at the ground and lower ground floors of the Residential Building 6. Addressing Merrion Road, it will present an active frontage to the public street, reinforcing the continuity of uses on the streetscape and offering high quality and conveniently located amenity space within the site for both those working/resident within the scheme and those within the wider Ballsbridge area.
Crèche:
The proposed development includes provision of a crèche with dedicated supervised and secure outdoor play area location.
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