Ashcroft Developments further embellished their industry-leading reputation by successfully delivering the truly extraordinary nine-unit Mayfield House residential development in Chapelizod under the most challenging of circumstances. We touched base with contracts manager Damien Kennedy to discuss this stunning project, which was been shortlisted for a prestigious 2022 Irish Construction Excellence Award.
Completing the magnificent Mayfield House development in Chapelizod village on the outskirts of Dublin was anything but a formality. However, under the most demanding, challenging and unforgiving of conditions, Ashcroft Developments duly delivered this wonderful nine-unit project to the most exacting standards – a wonderful feat which saw them deservedly shortlisted as a finalist at the upcoming Irish Construction Excellence Awards.
A stunning boutique development of nine contemporary homes within a confined and restricted space in the heart of historic Chapelizod, on the banks of the River Liffey, Mayfield House is one of six projects shortlisted in the ultra-competitive Residential – Private Housing category of the 2022 ICE Awards, where Ashcroft find themselves in illustrious company, going up against John Paul, Bennett, Richmond Homes, Gem and Cairn Homes for a coveted national industry award.
“It means a lot to Ashcroft to be shortlisted for this award,” confirms contracts manager Damien Kennedy. “We’ve come a long way during the five years we’ve been operating and, while it’s very easy for a contractor to say that they really care about their clients and projects, and to throw all the right buzzwords around, Ashcroft genuinely do approach every development with huge passion and focus.
“We are a relatively small company, but we all bring our own experience, gained from working in different areas in construction which enables us to be quite fluid and make decisions quickly when problems are identified. We also have an excellent team of sub-contractors, most of who we have worked with since we started on our first project in Eastham Square in Bettystown. We pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship and it’s a huge endorsement to be shortlisted for an ICE Award. We are delighted to have this project recognised, even to get to the final is an achievement, and we are going to enjoy every minute of it.”
While straightforward developments within the greater Dublin region are few and far between, the additional challenges presented during the course of realising Mayfield House were magnified. The site was exceedingly tight, being located alongside a busy main road, close to Chapelizod Bridge which is a key artery into the city. A host of environmental and conservational requirements complicated matters considerably, while the logistical challenge of maintaining production was amplified by the limited timeframe during which deliveries could be made to site (a five-hour daily window was open between 10am and 3pm).
Add in the fact that the development was completed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions – including two industry lockdowns – and it was the perfect storm for troubling times. But Ashcroft’s vastly experienced management team and men on the ground demonstrated remarkable adaptability, innovation and problem-solving under pressure to produce nine stunning new homes in one of Dublin’s most iconic suburbs.
Three of these beautiful homes are built behind the retained façade of the original Mayfield House, while the remaining six feature an eye-catching modern design that both complements and enhances the existing building. The scope of the works comprised of the demolition of derelict houses and the construction of six new terraced houses in conjunction with the restoration, extension and conversion of Mayfield House to deliver three more terraced houses, rejuvenating the streetscape leading into the historic, bustling village and providing much-needed new living spaces to Chapelizod.
Bearing this in mind the project presented many challenges, such as retaining the existing façade, working in the confines of a tight city-centre brownfield site bounded by existing residences, located riverside and adjacent to a very busy main road leading into the heart of Dublin city, while construction was also delayed due to the ongoing pandemic, Ashcroft Developments are justifiably proud to have delivered a high quality product in coordination with an exceptional design team (including ODA Design & Architecture, Waterman Moylan Consulting Engineers, Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates and Carton Interiors) to collaboratively achieve the highest design and construction standards possible.
Mayfield House – for which interior designer Jackie Carton of Carton Interiors collected an SBID International Design Excellence Award 2021 – is located in the historic village of Chapelizod, nestling in the wooded valley of the River Liffey as it leaves Dublin city centre. Its origins can be traced to a cromlech, the Knockmaree Dolmen at the top of Knockmaree Hill, which is reported to predate the Egyptian pyramids by 500 years. While this small development is accurately described by the term boutique, the before and after pics underline the dramatic nature of the transformation achieved.
“It was anything but boutique when we were starting out,” Damien confirms. “It was extremely challenging. The location being literally on the edge of the Liffey posed a lot of challenges. Retaining the existing façade of Mayfield House meant we had to strike a balance between new and authentic. You can see the contrast between the new building with its clean lines and the original house with its slightly uneven lines. The windows do not align perfectly on the refurbished building and the front façade has a slight curve, we feel that this actually lends depth and character to the building and enhances the development.
Indeed, finding common ground between the conservation report and current building regulations was another challenge. “It can be difficult as they don’t always tie in together and sometimes there is no correlation between the two,” Damien notes. The diversion of a 450mm sewer main proved to be quite challenging. This sewer line has 1200 houses draining into it and as such both Irish Water and Dublin City Council were involved at every stage from design to diversion. Due to constrictions of the site a portion of the sewer was laid concrete U Channels to protect it from the existing buildings.
As the site was so tight, the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic added new layers of difficulty onto an already awkward and complex project where safety of the teams on site was the priority. Keeping team members working in isolation on a small site is challenging.
In 2021, Ashcroft also broke ground on their San Guida development in Clondalkin and entered the final phase of the stunning 102-unit development at Berford, Duleek, County Meath. San Guida comprises 21 modern, thoughtfully-designed one and two bedroom terraced and balcony apartments, which will provide much-needed housing on New Road, Clondalkin.
Berford, meanwhile, is a striking new development of three and four bedroom A rated homes in Duleek village, ranging from 111 to 131 square metres. This unique development offers homeowners the benefits of a relaxed village pace of life, with the thriving town of Drogheda only 8km away and Dublin city centre a short 40km commute.
The well designed floor plans create large living and sleeping spaces, with high end kitchen and bathroom fittings adding to the sense of luxury throughout. The smart layout of each home comprises a formal living room located to the front of each property with a kitchen / dining area to the rear. Large double doors open out to the generous gardens at the rear of the property and there is also a utility room off the kitchen with dual appliance and storage spaces.
Committed to delivering quality A-Rated homes in interesting locations where communities are created and prosper, Ashcroft Developments have successfully established a reputation for quality in the delivery of starter homes in the greater Dublin area. Providing high-quality and efficient well-planned, well-designed and well-built homes is the core principle of the business. This is achieved through a combination of quality craftsmanship, stunning surroundings and enviable locations.
Ashcroft Property Development Ltd. is an Irish owned residential development company managed by staff with over 25 years’ experience in the delivery of quality housing developments. Working with top professionals in the Irish residential sector and drawing from a pool of high-quality craftspeople and technicians, Ashcroft are continuously setting new standards – not only in their construction processes and use of innovative technology but in everything from the way they work, to welcoming environments and on-site management.
Ashcroft’s team of in-house experts and dedicated subcontractors (with whom they enjoy excellent long-term relationships) leave no stone unturned in delivering the highest standards of design, construction, finishing and completion. Quality is of paramount importance to all team members, who are continually evaluating and improving the level of service provided to ensure the reputation for quality on which the company prides itself is consistently maintained and nurtured.
Ashcroft Development,
Unit 4,
Leopardstown Business Centre,
Ballyogan Road,
Ballyogan,
Dublin 18.
Tel: 01 2722743
Email: [email protected]
Web: ashcroft.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, August 2022, Vol 8 No 8
