Project Description:

Located between Thormanby Road, Kitestown Road and Balkill Road on the southern slopes of Howth, this project proposes a residential development of 24 family homes within an established suburban setting. The site occupies a prominent hillside location characterised by mature vegetation, varied topography and views towards the coastline and the wider Howth Head landscape.

The development comprises 24 three-storey dwellings, arranged primarily as semi-detached houses, with two detached homes accessed directly from Kitestown Road. The design responds to the site’s approximately 10-metre level change, with buildings stepping naturally along the contours to minimise visual impact and integrate with the existing landscape. The layout is structured around a new internal street accessed from Thormanby Road, while maintaining strong connections to the surrounding residential road network.

A landscape-led approach forms a key part of the proposal. The development provides approximately 3,490 sq m of public open space, complemented by additional communal landscaped areas throughout the scheme. The historic alignment of the Old Hill of Howth Tramway, a long-established public walking route, is retained and incorporated as a central feature of the open space strategy.

The houses range from 190 sq m to 228 sq m and are designed to accommodate contemporary family living. Open-plan kitchen, dining and family spaces are combined with separate living areas, while upper floors provide generous bedroom accommodation, including principal suites with terraces overlooking the surrounding landscape. Each dwelling benefits from private front and rear gardens and on-curtilage parking for two vehicles.

The architectural design combines brick, stone cladding, self-coloured render and metal canopy elements to create a contemporary yet restrained character appropriate to the setting. The overall scheme delivers a low-rise residential neighbourhood that responds sensitively to the landscape, history and established character of Howth.