Phibsborough, Dublin 7

versc · 04-01-2017 3:46pm

Currently looking to buy around Phibsborough. Lived there for a couple of years around 2010. Great locality. The litter problem and illegal dumping seem to have increased since I lived there. Whats the story with this, is there a bad collection service around here? A lot of people seem to have the bag tags. Do DCC come around to clean up often?

petejmk · 04-01-2017 5:04pm

versc wrote: »

Currently looking to buy around Phibsborough. Lived there for a couple of years around 2010. Great locality. The litter problem and illegal dumping seem to have increased since I lived there. Whats the story with this, is there a bad collection service around here? A lot of people seem to have the bag tags. Do DCC come around to clean up often?

Bought here last Feb, been living here six months or so and illegal dumping does seem to be a bit of a problem. However, this appears to be mainly due to the attitudes of people who refuse to pay for waste collection. It's a problem in a lot of places not just here. It's all wheelie bins where I live. We're with City Bin and have had no issues with them. In fact, I was impressed by their willingness to accept a two additional bags of green waste after Christmas. Haven't see much of DCC cleaning up but that's not to say they don't. The local tidy towns group are also very active.

Zipppy · 04-01-2017 6:41pm

old Aviva offices beside mcdonalds look to be flying along with development..new yoga studios going in...
Anyone know what's the subway story?

ongarboy · 04-01-2017 8:40pm

versc wrote: »

Currently looking to buy around Phibsborough. Lived there for a couple of years around 2010. Great locality. The litter problem and illegal dumping seem to have increased since I lived there. Whats the story with this, is there a bad collection service around here? A lot of people seem to have the bag tags. Do DCC come around to clean up often?

It was on RTE news last night that while most places have improved in the annual litter surveys, Dublin's north inner city was one of the few places that deteriorated. They cited the increasing cost of refuse disposal as a reason more people than ever are illegally dumping. I pass through NCR about once a week and I really notice a lot of lanes and alleys with accumulated rubbish/bags etc that you really don't see in other part of the city on such a widespread basis. I lived in Phibsboro until 2005 and don't recall litter being a problem then. Considering a lot of people in that area rent or still use bedsits/flats, I'd have expected that their landlords would pay for refuse collections (is refuse bills generally included in rent? - it was wherever I used to rent) so it suggests owner occupiers are more likely offenders?

alastair · 04-01-2017 10:25pm

ongarboy wrote: »

It was on RTE news last night that while most places have improved in the annual litter surveys, Dublin's north inner city was one of the few places that deteriorated. They cited the increasing cost of refuse disposal as a reason more people than ever are illegally dumping. I pass through NCR about once a week and I really notice a lot of lanes and alleys with accumulated rubbish/bags etc that you really don't see in other part of the city on such a widespread basis. I lived in Phibsboro until 2005 and don't recall litter being a problem then. Considering a lot of people in that area rent or still use bedsits/flats, I'd have expected that their landlords would pay for refuse collections (is refuse bills generally included in rent? - it was wherever I used to rent) so it suggests owner occupiers are more likely offenders?

I live in the north inner city. There's a specific problem of tenants not having rubbish collection included in rent, and indeed no proper landlord provision of rubbish storage in multi-renter properties, leading to the street dumping of domestic rubbish as the cheaper/lazier alternative to working out a better household solution. The transient nature of many renters just amplifies the problem. And that's aside from the core problem of affordability of regular collections for low income households. The problem has been there since refuse charges kicked in. Counterfeit waste collection bags provided a stopgap measure, but that's kinda died on the vine.

08-01-2017 5:24pm

Anyone know the story with the closed pub near the Sunnybank, just down the road on the same side towards Phibsborough, think it's called the Botanic House? Place seems totally shut down but it's actually a really nice building, and the windows are open a good bit of the time so there's some activity.

I walked today from Glasnevin to Henry St. through Phibsborough and the litter just breaks my heart. Some of the locals must have no pride at all in their town, it really is awful.

L1011 · 08-01-2017 9:36pm

Jerry Massive Viper wrote: »

Anyone know the story with the closed pub near the Sunnybank, just down the road on the same side towards Phibsborough, think it's called the Botanic House? Place seems totally shut down but it's actually a really nice building, and the windows are open a good bit of the time so there's some activity.

Closed in 2014 (I think it actually closed, reopened and closed again in very short succession but not 100% sure), sold in 2015. The upstairs is/was student apartments so may still be rented out entirely separately.

Zipppy · 08-01-2017 10:49pm

New Greek restaurant at Cross Guns seekms to be doing brisk trade...will try it out this week and report on it...great to see new businesses open....keep em coming...

patsypantaloni · 08-01-2017 10:59pm

Botanic Inn was listed as part of an allsop auction last year, I had high hopes when it sold as it could be a great spot for a gastropub; scaffolding went up for a while but nothing much seemed to happen and now it's gone again... Would be very interested if anyone knows anything more?

I tried the Greek place last Tuesday, very tasty Gyros and lovely dessert, I hope it lasts as I fear it could be a tough spot for them and like the poster above, I always like to see new businesses in the area!

Burgo · 09-01-2017 9:44am

Zipppy wrote: »

New Greek restaurant at Cross Guns seekms to be doing brisk trade...will try it out this week and report on it...great to see new businesses open....keep em coming...

Was in there on Saturday evening, food is great imo. Must have been a busy day, as when I popping in they had sold out of gyros already.Did have a plate of delicious char grilled chicken souvlaki.
The service was pretty shocking, but they had only been open for a few day. When I was leaving another waiter came on and things seemed to be getting on track. Hope they get through the teething problems. As you said its great to see you businesses opening, and can't complain about a decent greek place.

Zipppy · 09-01-2017 11:00am

Burgo wrote:

Was in there on Saturday evening, food is great imo. Must have been a busy day, as when I popping in they had sold out of gyros already.Did have a plate of delicious char grilled chicken souvlaki. The service was pretty shocking, but they had only been open for a few day. When I was leaving another waiter came on and things seemed to be getting on track. Hope they get through the teething problems. As you said its great to see you businesses opening, and can't complain about a decent greek place.

I looked to call in on Saturday evening but they were out the door....

GLaDOS · 09-01-2017 2:14pm

Every time I go by that Greek place it seems to have a fair few people in it, will definitely have to check it out.

LadyMayBelle · 09-01-2017 5:34pm

Jerry Massive Viper wrote: »

Anyone know the story with the closed pub near the Sunnybank, just down the road on the same side towards Phibsborough, think it's called the Botanic House? Place seems totally shut down but it's actually a really nice building, and the windows are open a good bit of the time so there's some activity.

I walked today from Glasnevin to Henry St. through Phibsborough and the litter just breaks my heart. Some of the locals must have no pride at all in their town, it really is awful.

I had heard a rumour that the Against the Grain folk had looked at it a few years back, but it was a no go. Think it would be a great spot for nice pub. Shame really it's just left there.

matrim · 09-01-2017 5:46pm

LadyMayBelle wrote: »

I had heard a rumour that the Against the Grain folk had looked at it a few years back, but it was a no go. Think it would be a great spot for nice pub. Shame really it's just left there.

There were looking for suggestions last year and I suggested the botanic house. They said it was too big for what they were looking for.

sweetie · 09-01-2017 5:57pm

Whats the place that took over the porterhouse like?

Zipppy · 09-01-2017 10:06pm

sweetie wrote:

Whats the place that took over the porterhouse like?

Still the Porterhouse...now called the Whitworth...they tried going up market restaurant but kinda failed...so it's really much the same as old place now ðŸŒ

Zipppy · 09-01-2017 10:07pm

LadyMayBelle wrote:

I had heard a rumour that the Against the Grain folk had looked at it a few years back, but it was a no go. Think it would be a great spot for nice pub. Shame really it's just left there.

Witherspoon apparently have their eye on a phibsboro venue....

09-01-2017 11:40pm

sweetie wrote: »

Whats the place that took over the porterhouse like?

Zipppy wrote: »

Still the Porterhouse...now called the Whitworth...they tried going up market restaurant but kinda failed...so it's really much the same as old place now ðŸŒ

I ate in it last week, thought it was fine.

newacc2015 · 10-01-2017 2:23am

alastair wrote: »

I live in the north inner city. There's a specific problem of tenants not having rubbish collection included in rent, and indeed no proper landlord provision of rubbish storage in multi-renter properties, leading to the street dumping of domestic rubbish as the cheaper/lazier alternative to working out a better household solution. The transient nature of many renters just amplifies the problem. And that's aside from the core problem of affordability of regular collections for low income households. The problem has been there since refuse charges kicked in. Counterfeit waste collection bags provided a stopgap measure, but that's kinda died on the vine.

Utilities are the responsibility of the tenant and always have been. We have had waste charges for well over a decade, so it makes no sense for dumping only to be an issue now. In fact I pay less for my waste collection now, than in 2005(its about half).

The main issue was DCC used to collect the stray waste along the road. AFAIK they arent doing it anymore. They dont see it as there issues. I also imagine DCC have slowly being cutting down on the cleaning of roads, footpaths etc hoping people wont notice. I called DCC a few months ago to ask for my road to be swept. I was told they only do it every 6 months in residential areas now ( I think the guy said they used to do it every 3 months). But he said my road hadn't been swept in 9 months.

DCC just arent cleaning roads/footpaths as much which is the real issue IMO

Zipppy · 10-01-2017 8:41am

newacc2015 wrote:

DCC just arent cleaning roads/footpaths as much which is the real issue IMO

DCC are suffering year on year budget cuts...and with the focus now firmly on housing and homelessness other services are taking a hit. Reduced staffing is also an issue.
fwiw DCC still do clean up of rubbish dumped on roadsides...only a couple of trucks across city though I think...

patsypantaloni · 10-01-2017 11:48am

There's a network of laneways near me that are chronic for dumping, really grinds my gears. But there's a page on the DCC website to report dumping and in fairness to them, whenever I've logged anything with them they've sent a van out to remove it within days. Might be of interest to other posters in a similar boat:

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-your-council/isupport

alastair · 11-01-2017 3:19pm

newacc2015 wrote: »

Utilities are the responsibility of the tenant and always have been.

Not always the case and it's less so for the north inner city. Utilities are often included in the rent, except for the awkward collection of rubbish, where flat rate fees under the council have been replaced by per-bag costs, which are a pain for landlords to manage, so they pass them on to tenants. The problem is less evident in properties that have managed to retain bins, but that's not available to a lot of the inner city housing stock. It's clear that street dumping increased in this area post privatisation.

LadyMayBelle · 11-01-2017 9:29pm

Zipppy wrote: »

Witherspoon apparently have their eye on a phibsboro venue....

Say isn't so!

Tried that new Greek spot tonight (take out). Veggie pita, pretty good. Will be going back.

L1011 · 12-01-2017 7:13pm

Wetherspoons are not buying any further Irish properties until sterling recovers, if ever. If it's not already in the pipeline its not happening

Zipppy · 21-02-2017 10:40pm

new Cafe opening shortly beside Rothar....

petejmk · 21-02-2017 10:45pm

Yeah looks like the same Kennedys that have places in Fairview and at the hilltop in Raheny.

newacc2015 · 21-02-2017 11:02pm

alastair wrote: »

Not always the case and it's less so for the north inner city. Utilities are often included in the rent, except for the awkward collection of rubbish, where flat rate fees under the council have been replaced by per-bag costs, which are a pain for landlords to manage, so they pass them on to tenants. The problem is less evident in properties that have managed to retain bins, but that's not available to a lot of the inner city housing stock. It's clear that street dumping increased in this area post privatisation.

Believe me, I know a lot of landlords. What you are saving is not the norm at all. When tenants aren't paying for the bills, the heating is on 24/7 and every light is on in the house. Landlords dont want to pay for bills, as tenants abuse them. If you go on daft, you will see nearly all of the properties are excluding bills. Why would a landlord pay €2k for ESB and Gas for the year, but not €150 to the bins company? Seems very unlikely

We privatised bins years ago. We replaced a flat charge for a flat charge. I dont know where you are getting the idea everyone switched to pay per bag. Go up the NCR etc and you will see gardens full of wheelie bins and dumpsters.

We privatised bins years ago. There is more waste on the streets as bin companies and DCC are not collecting bags without a tag. This has nothing to do with privatisation which you seem to imply was quite recent.

There is a lot of people who think bin collection under DCC was world class. That it was efficent and cheap. In fact it was more expensive than now and it was very common for there to be missed collections.

Zipppy · 02-03-2017 7:30pm

petejmk wrote:

Yeah looks like the same Kennedys that have places in Fairview and at the hilltop in Raheny.

Zipppy wrote:

new Cafe opening shortly beside Rothar....

Been in for brunch....it's fab...

alastair · 03-03-2017 10:49am

newacc2015 wrote: »

We privatised bins years ago. We replaced a flat charge for a flat charge. I dont know where you are getting the idea everyone switched to pay per bag. Go up the NCR etc and you will see gardens full of wheelie bins and dumpsters.

Where do I get the idea much north inner city housing stock have to use bags, which have never, post privatisation, been a flat charge arrangement? Possibly something to do with actually living in the north inner city for the last twenty years? I never said that 'everyone' had to use bags, but from actually living here, I can tell you that many do. Had to use them during the DCC collection era, and have had to use them since privatisation.

Zipppy · 27-03-2017 10:37pm

new vegan Cafe round by snooker hall on canal...looks great...big gym there too...

De Bhál · 28-03-2017 12:03pm

Zipppy wrote: »

new vegan Cafe round by snooker hall on canal...looks great...big gym there too...

seems to be only open at the weekend

https://www.google.ie/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1NDCM_enIE731IE731&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=vegan+cafe+phibsborough&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=53361599,-6271974,244&tbm=lcl&rldimm=15817876768151509028&tbs=lf_msr:-1,lf_od:-1,lf_oh:-1,lf_pqs:EAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9&*&rlfi=hd:;si:15817876768151509028;mv:!1m3!1d39936.08527790805!2d-6.233919757922422!3d53.35610604485356!3m2!1i955!2i805!4f13.1;tbs:lf_msr:-1,lf_od:-1,lf_oh:-1,lf_pqs:EAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9

Tar.Aldarion · 28-03-2017 12:34pm

Gonna go try it out, thanks!

LadyMayBelle · 31-03-2017 6:47pm

Zipppy wrote: »

new vegan Cafe round by snooker hall on canal...looks great...big gym there too...

Would like to try it, met someone promoting it and they went on a bit about alkiline bracelets or something which kinda lost me..But keen to try the food and support local...

mosi · 02-04-2017 3:24am

I noticed when passing that a BBQ place, Smokin' Bones, has gone into the old Burdocks unit in the shopping centre. There's also work going on in the old Fish Bar on the Cabra Road at the moment.

petejmk · 03-04-2017 6:59pm

Planning notice in The Herald today for the shopping centre. Includes proposal for more student accommodation (321 beds). That can be added to the list of applications in for the already crazy amount of proposed student accom in the surrounding area.

L1011 · 03-04-2017 7:26pm

petejmk wrote: »

Planning notice in The Herald today for the shopping centre. Includes proposal for more student accommodation (321 beds). That can be added to the list of applications in for the already crazy amount of proposed student accom in the surrounding area.

There probably isn't enough student accom in the pipeline with current demographic trends (and a college moving in stages to down the road)

More student accom = less normal houses rented to students = more conventional rental supply.

petejmk · 03-04-2017 8:41pm

L1011 wrote: »

There probably isn't enough student accom in the pipeline with current demographic trends (and a college moving in stages to down the road)

More student accom = less normal houses rented to students = more conventional rental supply.

Probably. Wonder how far it will get considering planners have sought further information from similar projects.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/dublin-planners-raise-concerns-over-dit-student-digs-1.3016646?mode=amp

Peregrine · 03-04-2017 9:00pm

petejmk wrote: »

Planning notice in The Herald today for the shopping centre. Includes proposal for more student accommodation (321 beds). That can be added to the list of applications in for the already crazy amount of proposed student accom in the surrounding area.

Given that the second largest college in Ireland is moving into the area, the dire shortage of student accommodation to begin with and the proximity to TCD and DCU, I would argue that there isn't enough proposed student accommodation.

petejmk wrote: »

Probably. Wonder how far it will get considering planners have sought further information from similar projects.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/dublin-planners-raise-concerns-over-dit-student-digs-1.3016646?mode=amp

The same planners who won't allow tall buildings in the docklands during a housing crisis? Our planners are a joke who bow down to NIMBYs and An Taisce.

L1011 · 03-04-2017 9:11pm

petejmk wrote: »

Probably. Wonder how far it will get considering planners have sought further information from similar projects.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/dublin-planners-raise-concerns-over-dit-student-digs-1.3016646?mode=amp

Further info requests are the norm for large applications. Cheaper to respond than to answer every potential question up front

gaiscioch · 05-04-2017 8:48am

It must be a bad joke. They are going to "develop" Phibsborough Shopping Centre but leave the ugliest building in Dublin there, and the second worst Tesco in Dublin (Ballymun being the worst). After all these years of promises and hope, this is a kick in the teeth. All the people duped to buy here in 2006, and 2016, based on the promise to get rid of this monstrosity. Nothing would have done more to improve the area than the development of this place (and the removal of the two Des Kelly eyesores).

One of Dublin's ugliest buildings retained in Phibsborough shopping centre plan

GLaDOS · 05-04-2017 8:51am

I'd heard they cant demolish it due to issues with asbestos

L1011 · 05-04-2017 11:43am

GLaDOS wrote: »

I'd heard they cant demolish it due to issues with asbestos

They'd be more likely to demolish than re-shell if issues were that bad!

As goes it being ugly - buildings can easily be reskinned these days - the Holiday Inn on O'Connell Street and the & Other Stories on Grafton Street are the original 1970s buildings with new exteriors. Tesco Ballymun is long closed!

Zipppy · 05-04-2017 12:00pm

GLaDOS wrote:

I'd heard they cant demolish it due to issues with asbestos

Developers don't own Tesco or eddie rockets so can't demolish....
I think it looks grand...not too sure on even more student accommodation...would be nice if some apartments were included and young couples/ families moved in..
what happens to student accommodation in summer? empty?

Peregrine · 05-04-2017 12:47pm

gaiscioch wrote: »

It must be a bad joke. They are going to "develop" Phibsborough Shopping Centre but leave the ugliest building in Dublin there, and the second worst Tesco in Dublin (Ballymun being the worst). After all these years of promises and hope, this is a kick in the teeth. All the people duped to buy here in 2006, and 2016, based on the promise to get rid of this monstrosity. Nothing would have done more to improve the area than the development of this place (and the removal of the two Des Kelly eyesores).

One of Dublin's ugliest buildings retained in Phibsborough shopping centre plan

The tower is being refurbished. You can see part of it in one of the renders in that article. There are lots of examples of 1960s era buildings being refurbished to look presentable. We have not seen the plans for refurbishment. Being preemptively outraged isn't a good way to approach these things. It will colour your judgement when you do see the plans.

As for being 'duped' into buying, people shouldn't buy houses based on speculations about what someone else intends to do with their property. At least, not until you see any concrete plans. AFAIK, this is the first time a planning application is being lodged. The current owner didn't even own the property until last year. When people hedge their bets on speculative plans for redevelopment, they must take the risks that go along with it including the developer's financial situation, their vision and the restrictions placed on them.

09-04-2017 10:54am

gaiscioch wrote: »

It must be a bad joke. They are going to "develop" Phibsborough Shopping Centre but leave the ugliest building in Dublin there, and the second worst Tesco in Dublin (Ballymun being the worst). After all these years of promises and hope, this is a kick in the teeth. All the people duped to buy here in 2006, and 2016, based on the promise to get rid of this monstrosity. Nothing would have done more to improve the area than the development of this place (and the removal of the two Des Kelly eyesores).

One of Dublin's ugliest buildings retained in Phibsborough shopping centre plan

The developers don't own the Tesco or the property the Tesco is in, they can't touch it. Don't be so shrill.

surball · 09-04-2017 11:06am

Great to see the plans for the area. Shame they won't remove the tower but as other have said the developers do not own that end of the shopping centre (Tesco, gym and Eddie rockets included).
The skin they wrap the building will make a difference since it will cover the ugly antennae too.

There's a display of the plans tomorrow evening in the tower.

09-04-2017 11:08am

surball wrote: »

Great to see the plans for the area. Shame they won't remove the tower but as other have said the developers do not own that end of the shopping centre (Tesco, gym and Eddie rockets included).
The skin they wrap the building will make a difference since it will cover the ugly antennae too.

There's a display of the plans tomorrow evening in the tower.

Even re-skinning it would make a massive difference, and the other redevelopment being proposed is great. I live about 1km from the shopping centre, delighted this is going ahead.

blue_blue · 09-04-2017 11:11am

Zipppy wrote: »

what happens to student accommodation in summer? empty?

No, they're rented out to Summer students or tourists. For example, you can book rooms & apartments on a nightly basis in Trinity's Campus. https://www.tcd.ie/summeraccommodation/

Zipppy · 09-04-2017 11:50pm

blue_blue wrote:

No, they're rented out to Summer students or tourists. For example, you can book rooms & apartments on a nightly basis in Trinity's Campus.

I think I read that most of the student accommodation in North inner city can't be let to tourists in summer....anyone else see that?

pmcc1 · 10-04-2017 11:41am

This development is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sort out this grim eyesore in the centre of a village with an otherwise bright future.

Good:
* Managed student accommodation is terrific idea and will energise the neighbourhood (managed accom, so no crammed bins in gardens fluttering all over the place).
* The circulation through to NCR & Dalymount + the civic plaza. Brill.

Lost opportunities:
* The whole front of the site will remain devoted to 2 dozen car parking spaces. Here is the chance to put parking underground where it belongs.
* The TOWER. Cladding the whole structure in metal, aside from just leaving us with what looks like a giant fridge, will also increase the outline of the monolith still further. 1m on all sides, and 2m on top from what I can make out.

The developer has put out the notion that the optimum plans are held hostage by Tesco on the ground floor and mobile phone operators' antennae on the roof.

The planning permission for the antennae expires in October this year- as it was though that the tower would also have expired by then, so that is fake news. There are techniques for reorganising the upper floors of the tower without impacting Tesco. I'm sure that Tesco can be made to play ball, if it is true that they are blocking the plan. A local boycott of the shop might change their tune.

Phibsborough, Dublin 7

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