Eric Kinsella’s Esprit Investments Limited has applied for planning permission to develop a derelict site in Dublin 2.  The site borders Brunswick Villas, Shaw Street, Townsend Street and Spring Garden Lane and is ideally located adjacent to the proposed new underground transport interchange at Townsend Street.

The development will create an urban feature – a building that bridges over the main railway line in the centre of the city.  It provides a significant amount of commercial and residential space while opening up a new public route leading from Pearse Street to Tara Street station.

The high quality mixed use development has been sensitively designed to the existing surrounds and includes office and retail space as well as 49 Build to Rent apartments.  It will bring renewed vibrancy to the area with significant improvements to the public realm, including two new streetscapes  and the development of new retail units within the vaulted foundations supporting the rail line. A retail unit will also be provided on the corner of Shaw Street and Townsend Street.

The part 9, part 11 storey building extends to 19,908 sqm (GFA including basement) and from 4^th floor level and above, will be built over the existing rail line which traverses the site. The developers have consulted closely with CIE and Iarnród Éireann to ensure no disruption to services during construction.

The proposed offices will provide 13,768 sqm (GFA) of accommodation and will be attractive to both financial services companies and tech companies given its proximity to both the IFSC and the Dublin docklands.

The proposed residential element includes 8 studio units, 20 one bed units and 21 two bed units. In addition to terraces, balconies and roof gardens, the development will include residential shared facilities including a gym and co-working space. Reflecting the excellent transport links, just two car parking spaces will be provided.  These will be disabled parking spaces at street level.

Designed by Smith + Kennedy, who also designed Esprit Investment’s Waterways House overlooking Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, the white brick and high grade glazed building will be constructed to LEED Gold standard and will be energy neutral. Planning consultants are John Spain Associates and Arup are structural engineers to the project.

Esprit Investments has been an active player in the commercial property market in recent years.  Kinsella has concentrated his property interests in Dublin’s office market, acquiring and developing office developments in prime locations.  Esprit Investments property portfolio now includes office developments on Shelbourne Road, Lower Mount Street, Pembroke Road, Mespil Road, Leeson Street, Baggot Street and Grand Canal Quay in the heart of Dublin’s “silicon docks” as well as Sandyford in Dublin.  More recently Esprit has diversified into industrial development with the acquisition of significant development lands in Celbridge and Leixlip.  On completion of this exciting project, the Esprit Investment property portfolio will be worth in the region of €500 million.