Swords Road, Dublin

The built environment is responsible for about 37% of all carbon emissions globally. So improving energy efficiency is of the most important factors in achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.

Meanwhile the rise in e-commerce – accelerated by the pandemic – has driven greater investment in urban and last-mile logistics; and factors such as use diversification and re-shoring are helping to sustain demand.

So low-carbon logistics facilities are becoming increasingly attractive to organisations as a way to meet consumer demand, cut operating costs, accelerate their own Net Zero journey by reducing emissions, and future-proof their real estate portfolio against incoming regulation.

Bridges and our partner Chancerygate acquired this prime 5.3 acre site, located a mile to the south of Dublin airport, in Q2 2022. A planning application was submitted in March 2023 for the construction of 120,745 sq. ft. of industrial/logistics space, in 13 units, ranging from 3,800 sq. ft. to 18,675 sq. ft.

The development targets a highly sustainable specification of BREEAM “Excellent” or equivalent, and we are exploring the possibility of LEED Gold standard and BER A (equivalent to UK EPC). Currently 169kWp/c.800sqm of solar photovoltaic panels are proposed.

The site was previously largely vacant, occupied only by a small bungalow and used as office and storage space for vehicles and construction materials. The development proposals are revitalising a disused site, enabling employment space for approximately 150 jobs.