Developer seeks permission for two major city schemes

Oakmount, the development company headed by Paddy McKillen jnr and Matt Ryan, lodged plans in May for projects in Mount Merrion, south Dublin, and in the city's docklands. There will be strong interest in particular in the Mount Merrion scheme where Oakmount's Union Café venture is located. Locals recently expressed concerns about proposed plans and Oakmount has since applied for a 15,800sq m (170,000sqft) mixed-use scheme.

The ambitious plans include a three-storey basement with a five-storey building above. If permitted, the ground floor and basement levels will include a gym, café, restaurant, pub, four retail units and extensive parking. At first to fourth floor levels there will be three one-bed, 34 two-bed and nine three-bed apartments in addition to a roof garden. The 46 apartments will have 72 parking spaces, and a further 113 spaces for retail customers.

Meanwhile at 82 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Oakmount's subsidiary, Chirita, is seeking to convert a derelict warehouse into a hotel.

It is proposed that the original redbrick warehouse be retained and five floors be constructed, bringing the structure to eight storeys. The modern additions are to be clad with corten steel fins.

The scheme follows the layout of other Oakmount hotels, such as The Dean and their proposed Ranelagh hotel, in that the top two floors will be have a restaurant and bar, which will undoubtedly enjoy panoramic views across the river Liffey and the surrounding docklands area.

On the ground floor, there will be a reception, bar, cafe, gym and conference facilities. In all, the 4,389sq m (47,000sq ft) hotel will have 93 hotel rooms. This area of the north docklands is fast become one of Dublin’s most active development hotspots, with developments underway such as the new Central Bank HQ, the Exo building, which will be Ireland’s tallest structure, and Oxley’s 63,000sq m (680,000sqft) residential and office development.