Work starts on 5-storey apartment block in Kildare
92 homes, retail space and a creche
Construction has commenced on the €26 million Cuan An Mhuillin (Mill Harbour) mixed-use development at the former Odlum’s Mill site on Main Street in Sallins, Co. Kildare.
The project, which represents one of the largest regeneration schemes currently underway in the county, will transform the long-vacant brownfield site into a new residential and commercial quarter comprising 92 homes, retail space, a creche and significant public realm improvements.
Initial works have begun with site clearance and the demolition of a number of existing non-significant structures, including former office buildings, storage facilities, warehouses, transformer buildings, sheds and the site's remaining grain silos.
Once completed, the development will provide a mix of apartments and houses designed to meet growing housing demand in the area. The residential component includes 61 apartments across three blocks ranging from two to five storeys in height, along with 16 own-door apartments and 15 terraced houses.
The apartment accommodation will consist of one, two and three-bedroom units, while the housing element will include a mix of two and three-bedroom homes.
In addition to new housing, the scheme will deliver a two-storey creche and a separate two-storey commercial and retail building, creating new amenities and services for both residents and the wider community.
A key feature of the development is the enhancement of the site's connection to the Grand Canal.
Plans include a new shared pedestrian and cycle route along the canal frontage, together with a public urban space and improved links to Main Street.
The project will also include upgraded transport infrastructure, with two vehicular access points serving the development. One access will be provided through an upgraded entrance from Main Street, while a second access will connect through the neighbouring Osberstown Court housing estate.
Associated works include new roads, footpaths, parking areas, landscaping, bicycle and bin storage facilities, boundary treatments and utility connections. A foul holding tank and pumping station will also be constructed to support the development.
The regeneration of the former Odlum’s Mill site has long been viewed as a key opportunity for the continued growth of Sallins, a town that has experienced significant population growth in recent years due to its proximity to Dublin and strong transport links.
With construction now underway, the development marks a significant milestone in the transformation of one of Sallins' most prominent landmark sites.