Chivers site owners expand scheme to over 500 units

Gillick Brothers make sizeable changes to their north Dublin development, writes Michael Cogley

London-based Platinum Land will apply to build 535 build-to-rent units former Chivers site in north Dublin in January. Stock Image

The consortium behind the proposed development of the former Chivers site in north Dublin has substantially increased its original ambitions for it.

London-based Platinum Land, which is headed up by brothers Maurice and Andrew Gillick, will apply to build 535 build-to-rent units at the development in January.

The pair, who heavily lobbied both local and central government figures to have the land rezoned for residential purposes, had originally planned around 350 units for the site in Coolock.

The Gillicks, who are originally from Glasnevin, have been developing commercial and residential buildings in London since the company was established in 2011.

A spokesman for the company said that it had held a pre-application meeting with An Bord Pleanala earlier in the year and that both parties had agreed to press ahead with the plans with "some alterations". He said that the final application for the site will be made in January.

Ahead of the rezoning of the nine-acre plot, some local councillors raised concerns that Platinum Land intended to "flip" the development once residential building was allowed on it.

The spokesman said the company was fully committed to securing planning and building out the project in its entirety.

The Chivers site was bought by the Gillicks' Irish development company Veni Vidi Vici from the receiver of Liam Carroll's Danninger.

Local Labour councillor Alison Gilliland said that she was not sure how locals would react to an additional 185 units in the proposed development.

Prior to the rezoning of the land the Gillick brothers gave a presentation to members of the council, outlining their plans for the site.

They said they would build a mixed-use scheme of 350 units, as well as a riverside walk and 2.5 acre park.

The brothers pitched a build-to-rent development with 'neighbourhood' facilities such as creches and shops that would be aimed at the 'affordable' market.

"The strategy is to create affordable housing rapidly for a broad spectrum of people in a variety of housing types from duplex town houses to small one-person units," the Gillicks said.

"The scheme will make use of the great transport links and close proximity to the city centre."

Platinum said it was "hopeful" that the first residents would be in place within 2019, according to the presentation.