Twenty years is a long time to wait for a return on a €115 million investment. But after decades of planning and shifting economic tides, construction is finally set to begin on a major urban regeneration project on Dublin’s Long Mile Road. The site, purchased in 2004 by Irish developer Michael O’Flynn from Nissan, is poised to become a key component of the City Edge project, a large-scale development aiming to deliver up to 80,000 novel homes in the southwest of the city.
The Long Mile Road, historically a vital artery connecting Dublin to the south and west of Ireland, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Once dominated by industrial buildings and car dealerships, the area is now slated for high-density residential development, with a focus on much-needed rental properties. This shift reflects a broader effort to address Dublin’s ongoing housing crisis and create more sustainable urban communities.
The catalyst for this long-awaited progress is a recent agreement between O’Flynn Group and the Land Development Agency (LDA). The LDA will fund the construction of 542 cost-rental apartments on the Nissan site, complementing O’Flynn’s existing plans for 1,142 apartments and a 148-bed hotel. Cost-rental apartments, defined as renting at 25% below market rates, are a key component of the Irish government’s strategy to increase housing affordability. This partnership effectively unlocks the entire 1,140-unit development, marking a significant step forward for the City Edge project.
A History of Patience: O’Flynn’s Long-Term Vision
Michael O’Flynn’s purchase of the 18-acre Nissan site in 2004, for a reported €115 million, was seen as a strategic move even then. The site’s proximity to the LUAS red line, Dublin’s light rail system, was a key factor in his assessment of its potential. As reported by the Irish Times, O’Flynn recognized the area’s potential for redevelopment long before the current housing crisis took hold. However, the timing proved challenging. The 2008 financial crisis and subsequent economic downturn stalled many large-scale development projects across Ireland.
O’Flynn’s portfolio extends beyond the Long Mile Road site. He acquired Dunkathel House in Cork in 2003 for €25 million, but construction on homes there didn’t begin until 2026, delayed by planning and market conditions. His Ballinglanna development in Cork, with 600 homes, took precedence. This pattern highlights O’Flynn’s willingness to hold onto land for the long term, waiting for the right conditions to emerge. The O’Flynn Group has built approximately 15,000 houses in Ireland, primarily in Cork and Dublin, and also has investments in student housing in the UK and Germany, operating under the name Tiger Developments.
City Edge: A New Urban Quarter for Dublin
The Long Mile Road development is part of a larger vision for City Edge, also known as Southwest Gate or Southwest Quarter. This ambitious project encompasses several adjacent sites, including the Concorde industrial estate (targeted for build-to-rent properties) and the Royal Liver retail park, which was purchased by the LDA for 1,000 cost-rental apartments. The LDA’s acquisition of the Royal Liver site in 2023 was a crucial step in realizing the City Edge vision.
City Edge is being touted as one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe, comparable in scale to Dublin’s Docklands, Cherrywood, and Sandyford developments. The Sandyford project, notably, saw another Cork developer, John Fleming, invest heavily during the Celtic Tiger boom, ultimately facing setbacks when the economic bubble burst. City Edge aims to avoid a similar fate by incorporating a mix of housing types, commercial spaces, and public amenities, creating a self-sufficient and sustainable urban quarter.
The Role of State Intervention
The involvement of the Land Development Agency has been critical in unlocking the potential of the Long Mile Road site and the broader City Edge project. The LDA, established in 2018, is a state agency tasked with assembling strategic land holdings and delivering affordable housing. Its partnership with O’Flynn Group on the 542 cost-rental apartments demonstrates the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing Ireland’s housing challenges. The LDA also utilizes programs like Project Tosaigh, which aims to accelerate the delivery of housing on state-owned land.
Looking Ahead: Timelines and Next Steps
With funding secured and planning permission in place, construction on the 1,142 apartments and 148-bed hotel on the former Nissan site is expected to commence shortly. Phase one of the Dunkathel development in Cork will deliver 550 homes, with plans for a further 450 in a second phase. These projects, along with the ongoing development of the Ballinglanna site, demonstrate the O’Flynn Group’s commitment to delivering large-scale housing solutions.
The success of City Edge will depend on continued collaboration between the private sector, the LDA, and local authorities. The project’s ambitious scale and long-term vision require sustained investment and a coordinated approach to planning and infrastructure development. The delivery of affordable housing, particularly cost-rental options, will be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of regeneration are shared by all.
The next key milestone for the Long Mile Road development will be the completion of the initial phase of construction, anticipated in late 2027. Further updates on the project’s progress will be available on the Land Development Agency’s website: https://lda.ie/.
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