Developers of the huge Glass Bottle site in Dublin 4 have secured planning permission for the first commercial blocks in the massive scheme including office blocks of seven to 12 storeys.

The Glass Bottle site is being developed by Pembroke Beach DAC, a joint venture of Lioncor, Oaktree Capital Management and Johnny Ronan’s Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE).

The 37-acre plot on a strategic site in Irishtown, just south of the Dublin docks and close to the Aviva Stadium, is among the largest residential developments in the country, with thousands of homes due to be built in a number of phases on the “brownfield” former industrial area.

The development will eventually include 3,800 apartments as well as a mix of office, hotel, commercial and entertainment venues. Work is currently underway on the first 884 homes in the scheme with full planning secured for

the next 500 homes.

RGRE said Dublin City Council has now also granted planning permission for the development of two adjacent commercial blocks at the development.

It allows for work to start on ‘Commercial Phase A’ of the development made up of three blocks of five, seven and 12 storeys respectively totalling 496,227 sq ft of grade A commercial property. The office development has been designed by Henry J Lyons architects to the high sustainability standard now demanded by corporate tenants.

A spokesman for RGRE confirmed the planning has been secured.

“We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the first commercial buildings in the Glass Bottle site and look forward to working with our partners to deliver a unique development of the highest quality in this iconic location."

Under the approved plans Blocks AA and AB ranging from 5-7 storeys will feature a double height reception, a restaurant/ bar, bakery/ café and event space at ground floor level with café, sports and recreation area and building services on the first floor. The upper floors to be used as office space.

The 12 storey Block B ( 213,630 sq ft) will include a games bar and office space on the double height ground floor with the upper floors to be used as offices.

Public realm spaces will include a new. public square (Pembroke Square), Glass Bottle Lane and public amenity spaces.

The move to push ahead with the commercial phase of the development comes despite the current down turn in the office market in the wake of Covid and the shift to work-from-home and after Oaktree was reported to be seeking additional external investment in the project as work on site ramps up.

Reporting on:independent.ie