Celebrity RTE architect Hugh Wallace begs Government to increase vacant property grants
Celebrity arhictect Hugh Wallace has urged the government to increase the vacant property grant as he finalises the energy upgrades of his new Dublin 8 home
Celebrity architect Hugh Wallace has called on the Government to increase the vacant property grant in the upcoming Budget.
It comes as he finalises the energy upgrades of his new Dublin 8 home and gives us a sneak preview of the stunning restoration of the derelict property in Dublin city centre. Wallace highlighted the urgent need to breathe life back into Ireland's forgotten buildings.
He said: "There's over a quarter of a million derelict properties nationwide crying out for people to refurbish them. That's two and a half years' worth of housing supply! The current Vacant Property Grant is fantastic at up to €70,000, but increasing it to near €100,000 would be a game-changer, making these projects more attainable for homeowners."
READ MORE: RTE's Hugh Wallace gives blunt reason why he'll never enter politics
The Dubliner's own journey back to his beloved city centre was no easy feat. After selling their previous home, he and his husband Martin Corbett bought the 1890 house near Portobello in 2022.
They had intended to be in their new home 18 months ago, but endured many setbacks, including a lengthy planning process, unexpected structural issues and the logistical nightmare of rewiring the entire street's utilities – all within the tight confines of a 100 per cent site coverage.
He said: "It's been an adventure, to say the least. But seeing this derelict building transformed into a modern, energy-efficient home will be incredibly rewarding. It proves that we can honour our architectural heritage while embracing sustainable living. The aim is to be living here by this Christmas."
The project, a modern interpretation of Victorian design, showcases the potential of sustainable retrofitting and Wallace has partnered with Electric Ireland Superhomes to navigate the complexities of grants, insulation, and heat pump technology.
He said: "People are often unaware of the intricacies involved in retrofitting," explained Wallace. "Electric Ireland Superhomes were invaluable in guiding us through the process, ensuring we maximised energy efficiency without compromising the building's character."
Describing the home's layout, Wallace explained: "We went through a few iterations to get it just right. We started off with the good old living/kitchen dining area on the ground floor. Then we went for living/dining/kitchen on the first floor. Then we said I can’t do that because I want to be able to get out to the yard.
“So we have ended up with the kitchen/dining guest bedroom and bathroom downstairs, and the living room, our bathroom and the main bedroom upstairs. It means we’ll have more light in the living room. It will be very traditional and in keeping with the streetscape."
David Flannery, Head of Sales & Service at Electric Ireland Superhomes, said: "This project was really interesting for us in many ways. Firstly, the house was built in 1890, so it had a lot of historical charm to it. A lot of this project was about recreating what was there before in its own footprint. Despite being a new home, it will blend really well with the streetscape. It will retain its architectural integrity and visually it’s going to look like what was there in place for generations."
Flannery emphasised the dramatic energy savings achieved through the retrofitting process. "This house will go from a G BER to an A-rated home. With the retrofitting, insulation and heat pump in place, it will consume approximately 600-700 kilowatt hours per year - a fraction of the 6,000 – 7,000 kilowatt hours it would consume per year if it weren’t retrofitted. This is an unbelievable difference in energy performance."
Wallace added: "Bringing families back into town centres creates vibrant, sustainable communities. It’s estimated 300 families in a village or town equates to around €12 million per year for the local economy. Renovating derelict properties in town centres reduces urban sprawl, supports local businesses, and lessens our environmental impact. It's a win-win for everyone."
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