CASTLEFORBES RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MARSHALL YARD
The Castleforbes Residential Development is a large-scale housing project currently underway in the Dublin Docklands, at the intersection of Sheriff Street Upper and East Road.
Scope of the Development:
Size: The project encompasses a 2.4-hectare site and includes the construction of 702 build-to-rent apartments spread across eight blocks, ranging in height from 1 to 18 stories. A prominent 18-storey tower serves as the development's centerpiece.
Housing Types: It offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, catering to various housing needs.
Amenities: The development includes amenities such as retail units, a childcare facility, a community/cultural building, and residential tenant amenity areas.
Sustainability: It incorporates sustainable design features to minimize environmental impact and reduce energy consumption.
Context:
The Castleforbes development is a key component of the broader revitalization of the Dublin Docklands. This area has seen significant transformation in recent years, transitioning from an industrial zone to a vibrant mixed-use district with housing, commercial spaces, and cultural amenities. The project aims to address the demand for housing in Dublin, particularly in the private rental sector.
The Name "Castleforbes":
The name "Castleforbes" derives from a historic mansion that once stood in the area. Castleforbes House was built in the 18th century and was home to the Forbes family, a prominent aristocratic family in Ireland. The house was demolished in the 1930s, but the name lives on in the area's toponymy.
History of the Area:
18th Century: The area was primarily rural, with Castleforbes House as a significant landmark.
19th Century: The construction of the railway line to the port transformed the area, leading to the development of industries and warehouses.
20th Century: The area became a thriving industrial and working-class neighbourhood, with a close-knit community.
21st Century: The decline of traditional industries led to urban decay and dereliction. However, the recent regeneration efforts have transformed the Docklands into a modern urban centre with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces.
The Castleforbes development reflects this transformation, replacing the industrial past with a new chapter of urban living. However, it also raises important questions about the balance between modernisation and the preservation of community identity and heritage.
Marshall Yards is a separate project from the Castleforbes Residential Development, although both are located within the Dublin Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
Marshall Yards:
Location: East Road, adjacent to the railway line leading into Dublin Port.
Scope: A mixed-use development with 554 build-to-rent apartments, enterprise space, retail units, a creche, and a community center.
Status: Currently under construction, with completion expected in Spring 2025.
Connection to Railway History:
The name "Marshall Yards" does indeed refer to the historical railway infrastructure in the area. The site was previously used as a marshalling yard, where trains were assembled and organised before entering or leaving the port. The development aims to repurpose this underutilised land while acknowledging its historical significance.
History of Railway Infrastructure in the Area:
19th Century: The railway line into Dublin Port was constructed in the mid-19th century, playing a crucial role in the development of the Docklands as a major industrial and commercial hub.
20th Century: The marshalling yards served as a vital component of the railway infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods in and out of the port.
Decline: With the decline of heavy industry and the rise of containerisation, the role of the marshalling yards diminished, and the land became underutilised.
Impact on Freight Capability:
While the development of Marshall Yards has repurposed a portion of the former railway land, it has not significantly impacted the overall freight capability of the area. The Dublin Port continues to be a major hub for freight transport, with rail lines still in operation for the movement of goods. The development of Marshall Yards is more focused on creating a new residential and commercial community while acknowledging the historical significance of the site.
In conclusion, Marshall Yards is a separate project from the Castleforbes Residential Development, but both are part of the ongoing transformation of the Dublin Docklands. The name "Marshall Yards" pays homage to the site's railway history, while the development itself represents a new chapter in the area's evolution.
Scope of the Development:
Size: The project encompasses a 2.4-hectare site and includes the construction of 702 build-to-rent apartments spread across eight blocks, ranging in height from 1 to 18 stories. A prominent 18-storey tower serves as the development's centerpiece.
Housing Types: It offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, catering to various housing needs.
Amenities: The development includes amenities such as retail units, a childcare facility, a community/cultural building, and residential tenant amenity areas.
Sustainability: It incorporates sustainable design features to minimize environmental impact and reduce energy consumption.
Context:
The Castleforbes development is a key component of the broader revitalization of the Dublin Docklands. This area has seen significant transformation in recent years, transitioning from an industrial zone to a vibrant mixed-use district with housing, commercial spaces, and cultural amenities. The project aims to address the demand for housing in Dublin, particularly in the private rental sector.
The Name "Castleforbes":
The name "Castleforbes" derives from a historic mansion that once stood in the area. Castleforbes House was built in the 18th century and was home to the Forbes family, a prominent aristocratic family in Ireland. The house was demolished in the 1930s, but the name lives on in the area's toponymy.
History of the Area:
18th Century: The area was primarily rural, with Castleforbes House as a significant landmark.
19th Century: The construction of the railway line to the port transformed the area, leading to the development of industries and warehouses.
20th Century: The area became a thriving industrial and working-class neighbourhood, with a close-knit community.
21st Century: The decline of traditional industries led to urban decay and dereliction. However, the recent regeneration efforts have transformed the Docklands into a modern urban centre with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces.
The Castleforbes development reflects this transformation, replacing the industrial past with a new chapter of urban living. However, it also raises important questions about the balance between modernisation and the preservation of community identity and heritage.
Marshall Yards is a separate project from the Castleforbes Residential Development, although both are located within the Dublin Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
Marshall Yards:
Location: East Road, adjacent to the railway line leading into Dublin Port.
Scope: A mixed-use development with 554 build-to-rent apartments, enterprise space, retail units, a creche, and a community center.
Status: Currently under construction, with completion expected in Spring 2025.
Connection to Railway History:
The name "Marshall Yards" does indeed refer to the historical railway infrastructure in the area. The site was previously used as a marshalling yard, where trains were assembled and organised before entering or leaving the port. The development aims to repurpose this underutilised land while acknowledging its historical significance.
History of Railway Infrastructure in the Area:
19th Century: The railway line into Dublin Port was constructed in the mid-19th century, playing a crucial role in the development of the Docklands as a major industrial and commercial hub.
20th Century: The marshalling yards served as a vital component of the railway infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods in and out of the port.
Decline: With the decline of heavy industry and the rise of containerisation, the role of the marshalling yards diminished, and the land became underutilised.
Impact on Freight Capability:
While the development of Marshall Yards has repurposed a portion of the former railway land, it has not significantly impacted the overall freight capability of the area. The Dublin Port continues to be a major hub for freight transport, with rail lines still in operation for the movement of goods. The development of Marshall Yards is more focused on creating a new residential and commercial community while acknowledging the historical significance of the site.
In conclusion, Marshall Yards is a separate project from the Castleforbes Residential Development, but both are part of the ongoing transformation of the Dublin Docklands. The name "Marshall Yards" pays homage to the site's railway history, while the development itself represents a new chapter in the area's evolution.
CASTLEFORBES RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MARSHALL YARD