No offers from ‘citizen developers’ to build six-storey apartment complex

A local authority plan to rejuvenate an inner-city area by offering young families the chance to build a six- storey apartment complex on an empty plot of land for a knockdown price has yet to receive any takers.

Dublin City Council has confirmed there have been no bids to date for the site on Fishamble St, near Christ Church Cathedral, more than a week after the opportunity was launched as part of a wider inner-city regeneration programme.

Under plans announced last month, the local authority put the currently empty 29-30 Fishamble St plot of land up for sale at a knockdown €150,000 price.

Under the complicated deal, the plot of land can only be sold to between two and four families who apply for the site as part of a combined bid, who agree to build a six-storey building containing large multi-bedroom family apartments, and who confirm they will live in the facility for the next 10 years.

The deal was announced in order to replace traditional developers, who will build on the site before selling the facility, with “citizen developers” who will, the local authority has argued, build with the intention of living there themselves.

While the expected cost of building the complex is expected to be in the region of €1.2m — up to €300,000 per family — Dublin City Council said it is still an enticing deal, both for interested parties who can build to their own specifications, and the local area.

However, a spokesperson for the council said that a week after it was launched there has yet to be any interest from anyone keen to snap up the site.

“The project just launched on Monday, July 21. We have received no formal applications yet.

“Depending on the success (or otherwise) of the Dublin House project at Fishamble St, Dublin City Council may make other small sites available,” she added.

Interested parties must show they have the resources to build the facility after buying the plot of land, and that they intend to live in it for the next decade.

* Applications for the Fishamble St plot can be made until September 19, with further details available at www.dublincity.ie