188 build-to-rent apartments at former Heidelberg-Miller building gets go ahead

PLANS for the construction of 188 build-to-rent apartments at the former Heidelberg-Miller building and SCR Garage site on Davitt Road in Drimnagh have been given the green light.

Heidelberg Davitt Limited lodged plans for the demolition of all existing buildings on the site, including the Heidelberg-Miller building and the SCR Garage, to make way for the residential development last March.

The proposed development includes the construction of a part three- to part nine-storey building in a U-shaped block layout, over basement level, including two commercial units, 188 build-to-rent apartments, resident support facilities, and resident services and amenities.

The apartments comprise 20 studio units, 79 one-bedroom units, and 89 two-bedroom units, while 144 of the apartments are provided with balconies/terraces on the south, western, eastern and northern elevations of the building.

The proposal includes communal open space areas at ground level, including play facilities, and roof terrace areas at 3rd, 6th and 7th floor levels, while the basement level is to contain 58 car parking spaces, four motorcycle spaces, 280 bicycle parking spaces, plant rooms, and a bin storage area.

Provision of 106 bicycle parking spaces at surface level and a vehicular entrance to the basement from Davitt Road, a loading bay, one on-street car parking space, and pedestrian and cyclist access from Davitt Road, is included in the plans.

An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development on June 28 with a number of conditions, including the stipulation that the development be used “for long-term rentals only”.

As part of the conditions of the grant of permission, the developer is required to submit a comprehensive Invasive Species Management Plan, and a Mobility Management Strategy.

This isn’t the first time the former Heidelberg-Miller building has been primed for development, as a developer received planning permission in 2015 for a mixed use three-to four-storey development at the site. The permitted development was to contain offices and 25 residential units at the site, but the plans never came to fruition.