Dublin Welcomes Another Big Retail and Housing Complex on Route 313
By Ed Doyle,
2024-08-16
A rendering of the Landmark at Dublin complex, which will be built on Route 313 as part of a revitalization effort for the tiny town. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Aug. 16, 2024. Credits: Landmark at Dublin
DUBLIN, PA—The town of Dublin took a big step today in its effort to develop the commercial corridor along Route 313/South Dublin Pike with a groundbreaking on a new mixed-use complex of retail stores and luxury apartments.
The complex, named Landmark at Dublin, will consist of two four-story buildings housing 15,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor and 78 high-end apartments. The complex will be located on Route 313 across the street from the shopping center that’s currently home to an Ace Hardware (and was formerly an IGA grocery store).
The new complex is also located just down the street from the Dublin Town Center complex, which similarly offers a mix of retail, restaurants and housing. Officials are optimistic that building a second complex with both retail and housing will give the town a boost by providing more shopping and dining options for residents and visitors.
Town officials speaking at the groundbreaking noted that the influx of these large developments into the tiny town of just over 2,000 people is part of a longstanding plan to rejuvenate Dublin. Mayor Chris Hayes noted that when he moved to the town from Northeast Philadelphia 25 years ago, Main Street was dilapidated. “We had a lot of vacant storefronts,” he recalled.
Hayes noted that there was opposition to developing the open parcels along Route 313, with many people concerned about traffic. While he understood that opposition, Hayes felt strongly that Dublin needed to embrace development. “Something needed to change,” Hayes explained, “or we were not going to be in a good place.”
Hayes recalled talking to local developer Robert Loughery, who currently owns the shopping center in town, 15 years ago about how Dublin could be revitalized. He said the two discussed how the open space along Route 313 gave Dublin an opportunity that towns like Doylestown and Quakertown didn’t have.
Because there’s not much open space in those neighboring towns, Hayes said, business owners “have to work with the buildings they have.” The town of Dublin would offer businesses another choice.
At Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Mike DeMaio of Milex Construction, who has worked on the planning process for the complex and whose company will oversee construction, explained that the Landmark will bring in seven to 10 businesses on the ground floors of the two buildings. DeMaio said there have already been conversations with several restaurants, from a pizzeria to a sushi restaurant, and that the focus has been on finding local businesses to occupy the storefronts.
Hayes, Dublin’s mayor, echoed that sentiment. “We're bringing in local businesses to support local,” he explained, not big-box stores. “We want to build a real, true sense of community.”
DeMaio said the complex will include features like a golf simulator and other “fun” perks like a rooftop deck with an outdoor kitchen and covered cabanas. One of the buildings will also offer “co-working offices” for people who are working remotely.
The first occupants of the complex are expected to be in the new complex by September 2025, but that won’t be the end of development in Dublin. A 127-house development has been proposed for the corner of Route 313 and Rickert Road, which is currently home to a large barn and silos. (Current plans call for converting the barn into a commercial space and keeping the silos.)
The company behind that proposal is Nehemiah Development Company, which has deep roots in town. The company developed Dublin Town Center and is owned by the local developer Loughery.
They seem to be destroying all the old farming area. We need farms not houses!! So many businesses closing. We need big change & not by way of houses & businesses
Joseph Wett
08-17
This project came across my email about a year ago. I think they changed it a little. Was supposed to be 5 floors with apartments on 2–5. 2 buildings, 50-60 apartments each. Traffic is bad enough trying to get thru now. Only a 2 lane road.
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