Long-awaited Orwell Park scheme gets under way

Twelve years after the initial planning application was lodged, development of the one-acre 59 Orwell Park site is finally under way. In 2003, Brian M Durkan & Co acquired the site and, having secured planning permission, subsequently flipped it in 2006 to Clydewell Investments and auctioneer Irwin Druker. Clydewell's shareholders included solicitor Paul Hanby along with four other Hanby family members. Clydewell never developed the site, and company records show that Grant Thornton was appointed as receiver of the company in November 2014 by AIB. The latest planning applications were applied for in the sole name of Fiona Hanby, stating her legal interest in the site as "freehold interest" – suggesting ownership has changed again.

The apartments currently under construction are suitably large for this top-class address, with six two-bed apartments ranging in size from 104sq m to 128sq m and two lavish duplex penthouses extending to 317sq m and 322sq m, each featuring 55sq m of terraces and balconies. In addition to the apartments, there will be eight townhouses, each 139sq m in size.

Few apartments in south Dublin will rival these new Orwell Park penthouses in size and quality, but there is no indicator yet as to pricing or who is handling their sale.

Perhaps Fiona Hanby might even consider retaining one of these very fine penthouses, now that the family home on nearby Temple Road is surely worth north of €5 million once again based on recent sales in the area.