Dolphin House regeneration plans agreed by councillors

The development of 100 new homes at Dolphin House in Dublin, one of the largest local authority flat complexes in the State, has been approved by city councillors.

The €16 million regeneration of the 1950s flats near the Coombe hospital in Dolphin’s Barn is scheduled to begin in the new year.

The estate of 400 flats has become increasingly dilapidated over the past 20 years, with persistent damp, mould and sewerage problems. It was designated for demolition and redevelopment several years ago, and Dublin City Council had hoped to pursue the project as a public-private partnership, but the economic crash scuppered those plans.

Redevelopment plan The complex was recently the subject of a complaint to the Council of Europe by the International Federation for Human Rights, accusing the Government of presiding over appalling living standards and failing to meet basic and legal housing requirements.

The council is undertaking the redevelopment of Dolphin House, but unlike other flat complexes that have undergone regeneration it will not be levelled and rebuilt but will instead undergo a “deep retrofit” programme.

The development will involve the construction of apartments and houses, but the majority of the 100 homes will be provided through the extensive refurbishment and enlargement of old flats.

Three blocks with 72 flats will be reconfigured to make 63 larger apartments. Three new blocks will be built with 28 apartments. Nine houses, the first houses in the estate, will be constructed. Two blocks of vacant flats will be demolished to make way for the new buildings. Some 40 per cent of the new units will be one-bedroomed, and 41 per cent will have two bedrooms, with the remaining 19 per cent having three or more.

Internal courtyards

The work will see buildings stripped back to their skeletons, the replacement of all sewerage systems and drains, water and electricity services. It will involve removal of some internal non-structural walls and the addition of balconies and lifts.The existing blocks are in a U-shape. New blocks will be built to create internal courtyards which will increase security and reduce antisocial behaviour.

To accommodate residents during building 38 flats in other parts of the estate have been renovated. The cost of this work has averaged €40,000 per unit. These will later undergo retrofitting, but will be used over the next three to four years for tenants while their flats are retrofitted. Separately, the council is to build new senior citizens’ accommodation. The residents of the existing senior citizens’ complex, Dolphin Park, will remain in their homes while the units are constructed.