Renmore ‘ghost’ complex is set to come back to life

Proposals to complete an unfinished apartment, office and retail development on the Dublin Road in Renmore have been drawn up by its new owners.

Xenium Clarinbridge Ltd has sought permission to make changes to the Cloch Mhíle development between Bradley motors and DPL Providers and for the completion of the shell of apartments overhead.

The four-storey development includes three retail units, three offices and 12 apartments overhead, as well as parking.

Now, the new owners, husband and wife investors Ian and Enda Quinn – who set up medical devices giant Creganna – have sought permission for a penthouse apartment and communal screened clothes drying area on the fourth floor, as well changes to the façade, including a new fire escape.

They have also sought to retain unauthorised elements which were built by the previous owner, including the size of windows.

The plans include the removal of cheaper ‘Frazinol’ panels – a printed aluminium product designed to give the appearance of copper – with natural zinc cladding.

It is also planned to alter the size and position of the windows as some give a “bunker” like appearance.

“The new owners of the building are anxious to improve both the appearance of the building and the public realm.

“Currently, the overall appearance of the building is poor with unglazed and unfinished window opes and balconies, a lack of planting and unfinished painted render to the main facades,” the application reads.

The previous owner – Mayo-based car dealer Gerry Casey through a development company called Westbar Construction – ran into difficulties following the collapse of Anglo Irish Bank.

He told the City Council in 2013: “On the failure of this institution, funding for the project stopped and the applicant is currently in negotiations with alternative bankers to complete the residential areas of the project.”

The development was subsequently purchased by the Quinns, who appeared at No 224 in last year’s Sunday Times Rich List, with a wealth of €61m.

They live in the stately St Cleran’s in Craughwell, the former home of filmmaker John Huston and his daughter Anjelica.