East Wall, Dublin 3

john05

Thinking about buying an apartment down in East wall. They wont be built for another year but the usual carry on of deposits are being taken now. I dont know a terrible amount about the area so I need to do some homework but i dive in. Anyone got some pros/cons or tips/advice on the area.

Cheers

Victor

The area used to have a very bad reputation, but is gradually being "gentrified", given it's proximity to the IFSC, East Point and now Spencer Dock.

Be aware of train and traffic (port tunnel opening in 12-15 months) noise. Transport links are generally very good, although the bus service east of the North Strand is quite mediocre. Route 53 serves the East Wall, whereas 127 | 129 | 130 | 20B | 27 | 27B | 27C | 27X | 29A | 29N | 31 | 31A | 31B | 31N | 32 | 32A | 32B | 32X | 42A | 42N | all serve Fairview and 90/a, 747/748 & Luas serve Connolly / Busaras.

john05

Thanks Victor. Some good points made.
Any other thoughts from people on the area? past present and future? what is the general opinion of the area today? rough? no go area? grand n handy? all thoughts appreciated...

J

Bastun

I grew up in North Strand, the next area long, and I still have friends in the area. East Wall used to have a 'tough' reputation, but I think that's mostly gone now. There was a big drugs problem in the early/mid 90s, now largely cleared up due to an active community. I'd say it's now no better or worse than any other area. Personally I'd be happy to live there now, as long as I wasn't on the 'border' near the high traffic areas from Dublin Port, East Link tollbridge, etc.

Anton

Always in black

I lived there for 6 weeks and it was the WORST 6 weeks i ever spent anywhere. the bus service is in the form of 1 bus every half hour ....if it decides to show up or doesnt get caught in the huge volume of traffic that chunders through every day. the 1 shop that there is does not take laser and there are no cash points around so everyone seemed to use the off-licence of the pub for cashback. Some of the locals are vile but the majority are fine.
The fact that i lived in a kippy house in Merchants square did not help matters. The landlady was charging top dollar for a kip that was falling apart. I suppose having lived in the house that I did would not endear the place to me at all. Never again....ever

FX Meister

It was a rough area but is getting better now. There is still quite a lot of scum though. As well as the Dart traffic you also have the nearby northwall and eastwll depots that can have traffic and shunting at any time of the night. Where about are the apartments? And how much are they, just curious.

irlirishkev

john05 wrote:

Thinking about buying an apartment down in East wall. They wont be built for another year but the usual carry on of deposits are being taken now. I dont know a terrible amount about the area so I need to do some homework but i dive in. Anyone got some pros/cons or tips/advice on the area.

Cheers

I know the apartments you're talking about, and I considered it briefly. Only briefly though.
I lived in East Wall for a few months last year. In that time, I was egged by one of the little nackar kids for walking down the street, and my car was crashed into by joyriders as I slept in my bed. Most of the adults seemed quite nice, but the local kids.. :rolleyes:

As Always in Black pointed out, the local conveniences are few. The local pub, formerly Fisherman's Wharf, is nice, but you might get a few funny looks when you go in.

Maybe I just had a few bad experiences, but I wouldn't recommend living there to anyone.

Kevin.

risteardo

This is of real interest to me. Me and my girlfriend are getting very close to buying a house on Caledon Road, about half way between Church Road and East Road (I think that's what it's called). I guess we're part of the supposedly ongoing gentrification! Seems like a quiet road, but again, any other opinions would be gratefully received. I'm trying to balance the negatives, lack of shops/pubs, bad traffic etc against the positives of it being 20 mins walk from town and a really nice house for a good price. Probably 40-60k less than for same kind of property across the river. Hopefully a good investment too, eventually. Preferably only positive opinions required please to assuage any anxiety I'm feeling...

irlirishkev

Slutboy wrote:

. I'm trying to balance the negatives, lack of shops/pubs, bad traffic etc against the positives of it being 20 mins walk from town and a really nice house for a good price.:o

You're right about the good price.
The 20mins walk from town you're also correct on.. however, it's not the most pleasant walk, and if it's late at night you have to walk through some not-so-nice areas..
I convinced myself when I was looking for a place to rent, that it was close to town and that I'd settle with it as a nice comprimise. I wouldn't live there again. I just took a serious dislike to the place. I also found the area very grey and depressing..

On the positive side, you will have the new apartments just off East Wall Road, and also the new Crosbie's Yard apartments.. so maybe it'll be nice someday..

Kevin.

FX Meister

Well I presume it will be enclosed anyway so there whouldnt be a problem with knackers access. And with the area getting better the price can only go up. So it's 60K cheaper than over the river, how much are they? Just curious as I'm thinking of buying and apartment with my GF next year. She doesnt want to leave the city and would prefer an apartment to a house.

irlirishkev

Crosbies Yard

Lighthouse Apartments

Kev.

Wolff

I was born and bred in East Wall Allways in Black account is skewered as Merchants arch wouldnt be even considered to be in East Wall more the North Wall and doesnt have any real amenities

East Wall and Church road is better with plenty of shops and a twenty four hour Garage

Caledon road is grand or used to be the houses are very close ot each other if it s the red brick ones you are looking at and the traffic would be a problem but there are plenty of one way streets there now to control it

On the down side it is a fairly gloomey area on that side of east wall the other side is older and has more character

The buses are crap but you are only a 15 min walk from the city centre

hope this helps

risteardo

House with extended kitchen, really well decorated and good sized yard at the back, we'll probably end up paying around 310k. A similar sized townhouse in Ringsend is going for about 370k. A nicer area but we can't afford that right now. We decided to go for a house rather than apartment. We've checked out a few other places in East Wall that are 20-40k cheaper, but they need sh1t loads of work done, the place for 310k need nada done to it. It's not the red brick ones, it's the terraced ones with a small front garden closer to Church road. Yeah, it's a bit gloomy and depressing alright, but the road has been pretty quiet anytime I've been there and I figure with it being close to town, I'll probably do most of my shopping/socialising there. On me bike I'll probably be in town in 10 minutes....,not bad .

john05

Lads great responses to this so far, much appreciated, both the good and the bad points. I take the points that East Wall is a bit gloomy and dull in appearance and general feeling of the place as you walk down say church road is not too hot right now. Its worth noting that the dublin docklands authority have ear marked Church Road as becoming the centre of "East Wall village" and as such have set out improvements for the street/area. you can check them out here. this documentation was put together in 2004 and the timeframe is 1-2 years on it so by 2006/7 maybe we should see something. still i would treat this as a nice to have or a promise, certainly not a guarantee. so anybody (like myself) thinking of buying down here must ask themselves if nothing changed in this area would u be happy to live there?

irlkev - its the lighthouse apts im looking at and yes they will be set behind security gates. being built in the old "wiggins teape" site for those that may know the area. the problem of knackers etc becomes slightly diluted when big complexs start to invade an area. take ringsend for example, only 5-7 years ago, nobody in their right mind would have bought in ringsend. now look at it. im not saying east wall will go the same way but heres hoping!

the proximity to town is a big + in this day n age when mates are moving as far as kildare/balbriggan just to buy a gaf. point taken that i will probably never walk home from town to east wall, just means a cheaper taxi.

slutboy - investigate whether ur potential gaf has ever been flooded. am not certain of this but i think the area flooded badly a few years back hence the stack of "brand new" interiors in some of them. apparently (now dont quote me on this) some of them find it hard to get house insurance as a result.

i also heard from an estate agent recently (he didnt know my vested interest in east wall) that every sale down in east wall today is a record sale.

if anyone knows anything about those crosbie yard apts i'd be very interested also. apols for the long post....

risteardo

Thanks for that, will deffo check out the flooding situation. Someone had mentioned that to me but I forgot to pursue it, so cheers for the reminder. Just found out we got mortgage approval so assuming the structural check is clean, we'll probably buy the house. :eek:

That's interesting about Church road too, because the lack of a village centre really mitigates against the area in comparison to areas like Stonybatter. It's heartening to know it 'might' improve... :rolleyes:

captainplanet

never let your girlfriend walk through east wall alone, especially at night. that place is terrible. i'm always petrified when im coming from there.the area may be improving but its still pretty bad for the random people beating you up, robbing you etc.

irlirishkev

I've just remembered.. Anytime I was coming back from the gym, I'd be driving down Church Road, and the nacks hanging around the closed shops would be constantly eyeballing me as I slowed down for the speed bumps.. God.. I did *not* like living there..

risteardo

So if I drive home with tunnel vision, jump blindfolded from the house into a cab when I'm heading to town and pretend the house is in Ballsbridge when I'm sitting outside in the back garden drinking my wine on a hot summers day, I should be fine..

irlirishkev

Slutboy wrote:

So if I drive home with tunnel vision, jump blindfolded from the house into a cab when I'm heading to town and pretend the house is in Ballsbridge when I'm sitting outside in the back garden drinking my wine on a hot summers day, I should be fine..

Unless you get egged between your car and your house

risteardo

I'll just make sure my girlfriend is covering me...

tony99

John! I grew up in East Wall but moved away years ago. I still have family there and used to visit several times a year (from the U.S.), However, now it's getting harder with the kids. The last time home (Jan 04), I remember the residents on Seaview Ave. having to man a roadblock every night at 5pm to prevent through-traffic from Church Rd. I don't know if this will get worse when Church Rd links up with Sheriff St. Something to consider!

Kingsize

i lived there for about a year about 5 yrs ago & had nary a problem.
the old wharf tavern pub was okay but i was always petrified that someone would come up & say "thats whackers seat he'll be in in 5 minutes"
it has its fair share of scum but then so does club anabel..........

john05

tony99 - when is church road supposed to link up with sheriff street? hadnt heard any plans like that myself...am familiar with traffic taking short cuts from the road (cant rem. name) that runs up the side of the seabank house pub, thru the housing estates and out onto east wall road. am guilty of this many times myself. is this the kinda thing the residents were protesting about?

has anyone else recently bought down in east wall or plan to buy/sell etcl. slutboy - hows the sale going?

does anyone reckon east wall will go the same route as ringsend with an abundance of flash new apts all over it in a few years? maybe buying now could net u a few quid down the line....it is part of the docklands area also.

all thoughts appreciated?

risteardo

Should be able to give you some first hand info in a couple of months John. Haven't signed any contracts yet but it's Sale Agreed now. All going well, should be moving in Feb/March. Still have some concerns about the area but the house is great so looking forward to having a nice place to live. I shall report every 'egging' and 'car keying' I experience...

Peadarj

I bought a house in East Wall - Love it. Close to town and the sea and the Dart. I would rather live here than walk all over puke & drunken assholes in the centre of town, everytime I went to the shops. As regards the locals, they are very friendly. There are some dodgy young lads but you have to learn to stand your ground, but that applies to anywhere in your life.

I think if you are a 'well to do' kind of person and that you are better than the people around you, then its not the place to be. Respect works both ways and doesnt require diving from a taxi into your house and barring up the doors. Never experienced eggs myself but I wouldnt tolerate it either. Blessed are the meek does not apply to any city centre dwellers

Kids see weakness much quicker than adults and will pick up on the fear very quickly. I think Abraham Lincoln (or one of the presidents) said "Walk tall but carry a big stick". You dont need a stick but you do have to know your ground and carry yourself that way.

East Wall is not different from anywhere else close to the city. You can get mugged walking home to D4.

As regards dull. It is part of the docks and that has to be appreciated. At the moment I'd rather live here than Dalkey where I lived before, or Dunlaoghaire where I would never live again - Kipp.

Peadar

risteardo

Cheers Peadar, thanks for those encouraging words. I grew up in an area not unlike East Wall, so I'm not expecting too much that I can't handle. Can't wait now.

thaleus

Rented in East Wall 1998-2000 and subsequently bought in Caledon Rd area in 2002. have been there 2 years without incident. The locals can be a little eccentric but if you keep to yourself and do your own thing it's grand. I feel safer where I live now than Ringsend and Inchicore where I had rented.

I Walk/stumble home at night along north wall quay and left onto New Wapping Street and enter East Wall from the Sth East. This is the safest route at night.

To answer one of the threads Church Road and West Road originally joined Sherriff Street and Seville Place respectively.

One issue to note: FLOODING: You need to do some research here because some areas were hit during 2002 and you may have difficulty in getting insurance. East wall is constructed on reclaimed land.

risteardo

that's the exact route I plan to use when stumbling home too.....!

irlirishkev

thaleus wrote:

I Walk/stumble home at night along north wall quay and left onto New Wapping Street and enter East Wall from the Sth East. This is the safest route at night.

That's the route I used to take aswell. Definitely the quickest and safest way. You also get to enjoy a stroll by the liffey on the way into town

K.

john05

was driving around East Wall the other day....surveillence ya know noticed another big development down very near to the Point, practically behind it really. there was no signs up saying what it was..apt, offices or what. just wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

also any idea when the docklands authority are gonna start improvements on church road. if anyone hears anything sure post it up here....

also anyone bought in crosbies yard/lighthouse apts at all?

risteardo

We contacted the Docklands Authority a couple of months ago with the same question about Church road and they said the plan would be actioned in 2005. No more specifics would they provide....

john05

Jus thought I'd resurrect this thread and see if there have been any developments down in East Wall/Church Road area so far? I know the Docklands Authority have plans for it but havent seen any work myself....

Slutboy - hows the house move going? All good i hope

Anybody bought in the Lighthouse Apts there on Church Road?

pobcar

Hi everyone,

this is my first post - I've been thinking about moving into East wall so found this thread very interesting. I was in the area at the weekend and no sign of any work on Church Rd yet. I notice John that there are still a few units in the Lighthouse - when are they due to be finished/when do you expect to move in?

The area seems ok, appears to be changing very rapidly as I saw lots of local residents and lots of people who appear to have moved in recently. There seem to be mixed opinions on this thread about the area but anything I've heard about it is quite positive.

Hope all the moving is going well!

john05

Yeah I think there are a few 1 beds left in the Lighthouse Phase 1, maybe some 2 bed duplexs aswell but dont quote me on that. I believe all the 2 bed (non duplex) are sold off the plans. Phase 1 (currently being built) is due for completion jan/feb 2006. Phase 2 is being launched from the plans in Sept this year, they are taking interest enquiries at the moment I believe.

I think/hope the introduction of developments like the Lighthouse will add value to the area. Would like to hear any views people have on this.....

MorningStar

Have friends from East Wall. Lived in North Strand for 5 years myself. Used go between the two areas a lot as a result. Where those appartments are is really very safe as you don't really go into East Wall estates as such.
The people are very close to each other which is good and bad. The mention of a manned barrier to stop cars is a good example. Good to see the community spirit, bad to see locals smash up cars for not doing as the loacals saw fit. The local kids generally mean no harm and if they are used to you they won't bother you. It unfortunately only takes one and one reaction from you taken the wrong way and your life will be hell. There is a lot of "bin protestors" in the area too, no matter how you feel about the issue the way they are and have reacted in a particular way that might indicate how they can react to a threat. Basically you will get some of the "I lived here all my life who are you?" have a thick skin and you will be alright in general. Go to Cusacks in incrimnets and the locals will get used to you. The Warf is not a locals anymore

risteardo

John,

Don't have much web access at the moment cos out on sick leave. That's got nothing to do with me now living in East Wall by the way ;-). We're only in about 2-3 weeks and all has gone swimmingly so far. Being out on the sick, I've seen the place as it goes about it's day and it's been really quiet. A pleasure so far. I didn't realise we were so close to the burgeoning metropolis that is now Custom House Sq in the IFSC ;-). Lots of nice eateries there, mmmmmm!! A bit souless for sure, but better than nowt. Anyway, I don't have a bad word to report so far. I see the Lighthouse Apts going up at quite a pace too......

thaleus

Slutboy, welcome to the neighbourhood!

The area is slowly improving but what we really need is a D3 type eaterie to jazz the place up a bit in the daytime so that we can actually spend our money in East Wall rather than having to commute to IFSC and Fairview/North Strand for something to eat.

Top Tip: If your house gets egged (or oranged): Don't clean it off for a couple of weeks... they won't bother you again.

john05

AFAIK there will be a spar type outlet facing onto Church Road as part of the Lighthouse developments ground floor. Also it looks like the Esso across the East Wall road is closed for renovations so hopefully they will open up a class new outlet.

Now all we have to do is get rid of Cahill Printers off the corner there and were looking guuud!!

risteardo

Many thanks for the welcome Thaleus. But ****e, now I have to worry about being oranged as well as egged ?? Tempting fate, neither has happened yet, but shall bear your tip in mind. Agree about having a decent eaterie nearby, one on Church Road would be ideal. I feel like a bit of a traitor each time I head down to the IFSC for grub. Hopefully with the Lighthouse Apts going up, there might be enough daytime custom to tempt someone into opening a new local venture. Haven't watched any football in the Seabank House yet either, it's been the Lagoona bar so far. I need to make more of an effort! Where's good to eat in Fairview? Shall be wandering up to Gaffs for a few pints but not aware of the eating options up that way.

Hey John. Yeah, that Cahill Printers in one damn ugly building. Wonder who owns that old wired/boarded up house just on the right a couple of hundred yards down Church road? I'd say it looked good in it's day, looks very sad now... Have you bought in the area then John or still thinking about it?

john05

Hey man, good to see ur still alive! Yeah I went ahead with the apt (despite some dodgy views on this thread!).
Looked like a good deal at the time so what the hell. Even better now as phase 2 have increased in value already.

Its funny you should ask about that old boarded up eye sore on church road...only about 2 weeks ago I was down that way and had a chat with a carpenter guy who works across the road from it. Turns out its the old community hall or youth club, which has since moved further down the road I believe. They boarded it up to stop the kids storing bonfire wood in it. Or it could have been to stop the kids using it as a bonfire, not quite sure what he was gettin at... He reckons its owned by "the community".

Am set to move in at the end of this year. Cant wait!

ildamiano

I bought a Lighthouse apartment too - on the 3rd floor. Currently renting in Caledon Road, so decided to take the plunge. Estate agent said that the apartments might be ready before Christmas, as progress is better than expected. I love the Seabank and would recommend it to anyone. Great food there up until about 9pm each day - the mixed grill and chicken fajitas are particularly good.

risteardo

Shall pay it a visit then, definitely. But more to the point, how's the pint of Guinness? Having come from the other side of the river where my local was the Beggars Bush with one of the cheapest and best pints of Guinness in the whole of Dublin, I have high standards...

john05

was in the offy attached the Seabank the other night, reports are all good. wasnt stabbed, mugged or attacked and got 2 buideals of class south african wine (two oceans its called - the chardonnay aint the best but the sauvignon blanc is spot on!) for a mere 14 bucks.

ildamiano wrote:

I bought a Lighthouse apartment too - on the 3rd floor.

Here ildamiano we are gonna be neighbours my man, I too have purchased on the 3rd floor! hilarious!

ildamiano

John Boy,

That is hilarious! We will have to attend each other's housewarmings! That estate agent Angela Browne is quite a dim plonker, don't you think? She hadn't a clue what was going on - kept calling up and badgering us to sign the contracts when we had sumbitted them weeks before. :rolleyes: And she's probably on 100k+ per year in commissions because property sells itself in Dublin these days.... (Hope you're not her husband or anything like that, or she'll put in a word with the builders to shave 20 square metres off my gaff. :eek: )

Slutster,

The Guinness is excellent in the Seabank, and a snip at €3.55. They practically insist on lounge service as well, which is refreshing - good customer service in an Irish pub, what's all that about?

risteardo

Not bad at all. Not quite the €3.35 it was over in the Beggars but if it tastes as good I'll have no complaints. Yeah, have used the offie myself a few times John and it's a decent one, certainly for beer anyway. Thought the wine selection was a bit small, but a minor complaint. Think I shall have to get up there over the weekend now to sample the Guinness....!!

MorningStar

Had lunch there today. It's a nice enough pub but has no character. Cusacks on North Strand Road is the nicest locals type bar in the area. It has won a few pub awards too.

The appartments are really going up fast. I'd take pictures of it while you can as once it is finished it won't really change but what it looks like now will be the rare sight.

ildamiano

The place has loads of characters who never cease to entertain, like the 90 year old woman who comes in every night (apparently) and knocks back whiskies like there's no tomorrow, and the bloke who does the raffle as pidgin Gaeilge every Thursday night. I've never been in it of a weekday lunchtime but I'd well believe your version of it at that time, 'Star.

Oh well, I'm off to The Schoolhouse for a "couple" of post-work pints. Might even be nice enough to drink outside for a couple of hours.......

john05

In todays Indo property supplement, small article about new developments down in east wall.
On a site @ 4 East Road - plans afoot for 286 homes + 2,200 sq m of retail, commercial space. Not too sure of the location of this site but it sounds BIG. note this is on East Road, not East Wall Road.

Aldi is coming to East Wall! They are gonna build on the "Tucks Fastener" site on East Wall Road (think this is just opp Church Road junction?). They are throwing in a supermarket and 43 apts. Even Aldi are building apts now for jaysus....

130 apts set for the ReadyMix site at 5/23 East Wall Road, 214 underground car park spaces, development height ranges from 6 to 12 storeys. (sounds high to me!)

Collen are also building at hotel at River House.

Its all go down here!

risteardo

john05 wrote:

In todays Indo property supplement, small article about new developments down in east wall.
On a site @ 4 East Road - plans afoot for 286 homes + 2,200 sq m of retail, commercial space. Not too sure of the location of this site but it sounds BIG. note this is on East Road, not East Wall Road.

Aldi is coming to East Wall! They are gonna build on the "Tucks Fastener" site on East Wall Road (think this is just opp Church Road junction?). They are throwing in a supermarket and 43 apts. Even Aldi are building apts now for jaysus....

130 apts set for the ReadyMix site at 5/23 East Wall Road, 214 underground car park spaces, development height ranges from 6 to 12 storeys. (sounds high to me!)

Collen are also building at hotel at River House.

Its all go down here!

Big news John!!!

I'm usually a Tesco man meself, but I shall have no problems switching allegiance to the much more convenient Aldi when it opens. That'll be great progress, finally somewhere local to do the shopping....

Trying to picture the location on East Road for that big development. Actually, could it be the end of East Road nearest the river? Isn't there an empty lot there on the right hand side heading towards the river?

gamer

I heard sum prog on radio ,some people were not able to sell their houses in east wall, because of flooding a few years ago ,they could not get full house insurance which makes it difficult for prospective buyers to get a mortgage on the property .like many areas u,d need good security and an alarm system fitted in the house at least.you cud ask your solicitor to find out is there insurance on the house at the moment.

Vivienne

Hey there, you wouldn't happen to know when the Aldi is due to be built and when it will eventually open? I'm a newbie to the area, just sale-agreed on a house in east wall last week...and from the thread it looks like its a good bet.