Major overhaul planned for Portlaoise apartments

Plans have been lodged with Laois County Council for a major renovation of  apartment blocks in Portlaoise. Fimaglass Limited has applied for permission to extend and renovate St. Michael’s and St. Helena’s apartment blocks at Newpark.

The amendments will include the removal of the roof on both blocks, an additional storey with flat roof, amendments to elevations, amendments to internal layouts to provide twelve one-bed apartments, new bin and bike store and all associated site works. 

The existing  blocks were built in the early 1970s and the applicant said the current layouts and formats do not comply with current building regulations.

"The buildings have poor terminal quality, fire regulations are at a minimum and the  design and layout of same is not conducive to modern day living," the application states. 

"The current apartment block of St. Helen’s which has 4 x 2-bed apartments in it, each circa 60msq and St. Michael’s which has a mixture of 4 x 1-bed apartments ranging from 26msq to 29msq and 2 x 2-bedroom apartments approximately 60msq. The windows, doors, wiring, plumbing etc all need to be upgraded along with insulation and modernisation of the apartment blocks; in order to do so and to make these units feasible to do so we are proposing to remove the existing pitched roof on same and to extend the building up by one storey. We are proposing to centralise the stairwell to  comply with current building regulations and fire regulations and to introduce external balconies and private amenity space within the apartments."

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The applicant is proposing to remodel the blocks completely to twelve, one-bedroomed apartments which will be "luxuriously styled apartments".

"These two blocks and Newpark House was previously owned by one owner and was recently sold in separate lots. Our client bought St. Michael’s and St. Helena’s and in turn will be working with the owners of Newpark House and the surrounding lands to modernise and to upgrade the area to a high-end apartment development," the planning documents state.

"Newpark House was granted planning recently for upgrade works, these works are going to be carried out under the new ownership and we are currently preparing a commencement notice and fire safety cert application on same.

"Under this application we are proposing bicycle stands, and a new binbay for St. Helenas while St. Michael’s current bin bay will be used going forward. "

The application also includes twelve car parking spaces to be provided with 40% electrical vehicles. Laois County Council planners are due to make a decision on the development by June 9, 2025.