The construction of over 400 new homes has begun in Clongriffin, North Dublin.
All apartments will be available as cost-rental and social homes, with the first units due to be delivered in early 2027.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne and chief executive of the Land Development Agency John Coleman turned the sod on the new housing development on Friday.
The homes are being delivered as part of the initial phase of the planned Clongriffin Town/Cluan Grifín development, the largest state housing project currently planned.
The Taoiseach said that "today marks the first step in the process of developing underutilised land into a vibrant and active new community".
"This is yet another example of the Government’s ongoing commitment to meet the country’s housing needs," Micheál Martin said.
The project is to ultimately involve a new community of more than 2,000 homes, as well as new facilities, amenities, services, and commercial premises.
The first 400 homes are being developed across two apartment blocks on land the LDA acquired in December 2023.
John Coleman, chief executive of the LDA, said that the project is a major development for the LDA and the provision of State-owned affordable housing.
“When we purchased this land in late 2023, it had existing planning permission for new homes, but no development was taking place. Just over a year later, and we have construction underway. While phase one is being completed, we will continue to advance plans for the surrounding areas to deliver much-needed homes and community services and amenities,” he said.
The LDA appointed Walls Construction to build the 408 A-rated one-, two-, and three-bed apartments in two blocks ranging in height from three to seven storeys.
They also plan to have courtyard gardens, a roof terrace, a 1,433 square metre public park and a creche, while community and cultural spaces are planned for the ground floors of both apartment blocks.
“It’s fantastic to turn the sod on this new housing development and to visit a site that has the potential to deliver a new town and over 2,000 affordable and social homes. The LDA is the State’s affordable housing delivery body and the Government, through Housing for All, has ensured it has the necessary resources to fulfil its remit and to deliver at scale,” Housing Minister James Browne said.
A new street called Market Street will be fully pedestrianised and has been designed to host an outdoor market and community events.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Emma Blain called the development a “wonderful regeneration project”.
“This site has lain idle for many years, and I’m delighted that the Land Development Agency identified the potential in Clongriffin and is now progressing ambitious plans for much-needed affordable homes in an emerging town with great transport links,” she said.
