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I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE COMPLEX WAS TO BE DEMOLISHED
Yesterday a few minutes after I walked along Capel Street there was a fire in some above-shop apartments on the street and unfortunately there was a fatality. The blaze broke out on 44 Capel Street around 4.30pm and emergency services rushed to the scene. A number of people were evacuated from the building, which is located above a hairdresser salon, and Dublin Fire Brigade were able to bring the blaze under control quickly.
Today [12 September 2023], as I passed Dorset Street Flats I noticed that the complex was in the process of being surrounded by high fencing and I was somewhat surprised. I was worried as I did not want to have a large derelict site close to where I live as there anti-social behavious has greatly increased since Covid-19 arrived in Ireland. However, after further investigation I discovered that the complex was to be redeveloped and that did surprise me. I was aware that local politicians had described the complex as being an “absolute blackspot for drug-dealing”, while gardai (police) had recommended the demolition of the block to assist in their operations against drug-dealing in the area. However, I was unaware that a decision had actually been made to redevelop the site. It should that there is an amazing amount of of ongoing redevelopment in the immediate area much of it being new hotels and student accommodation. Also there is a co-living complex more-or-less across the street from Dorset Street flats.
The site currently consists of four five-storey flat block buildings sitting in communal open spaces alongside a historic fire station building. The estate was selected as a priority regeneration project because of issues affecting the buildings such as condensation, dampness, and drainage problems as well as the opportunity to greatly improve the planning of the site (somewhat diplomatic).
The proposal includes the demolition of the four existing flat blocks and the construction of 163 new homes along with new spaces for community use. This will provide 50 additional new higher quality homes with high environmental sustainability. The improved site planning and landscaping will provide better access and a higher standard of amenity. The improved interface with surrounding areas will contribute to local regeneration and supports the Council’s strategic regeneration policies relating to the Civic Spine, Parnell Square Cultural Quarter and the Grangegorman campus.
The scheme has been designed by a multi-disciplinary design team led by Scott Tallon Walker Architect & Levitt Bernstein Architects, with project management and initial feasibility master-planning by City Architects.
The new development ranges from three to seven storeys, replacing the existing five storey blocks, responding to the scale and mass of adjacent buildings. Non-residential accommodation is located at the ground floor fronting onto Dorset Street, a major thoroughfare in the city, while the interior of the development has a more residential character. The historic Dorset Street Fire Station building, with its recently completed facade renovation, is to remain and is celebrated as a focal point in the complex.
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