Winner announced at 2019 property industry excellence awards
Irelands 2019 Property Industry Excellence Award winners exemplify that the Irish property sector is determined to embrace technology to enable greater efficiencies. Winners demonstrated determination to face the many challenges within the property industry, in particular – housing. Irelands population is on an upward trend, expected to exceed 6.2 million by 2050. Residential construction is clearly budding but there are major challenges ahead to deliver the amount of housing needed at affordable prices. Rejuvenation and rebuilding were very evident in all entries, as an active strategy to meet this challenge. This aligned to huge strides in new developments that incorporate active community involvement and communal features demonstrated that the industry is working collaboratively, more so that ever before.
Rejuvenation was a highly discussed topic amongst the 1000 property industry stakeholders present at the gala awards; contractors, architects, designers, commercial & residential agencies, developers and investment managers convened at the Convention Centre Dublin last night for the announcement of the winners of the highly contested KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards. The awards, now in their 5th year, reward and honour excellence, setting the benchmark for professionalism in the sector. Over 120 nominations were judged across 10 categories. Jim Clery, Head of Real Estate at KPMG said: “The standard of applications for this year’s awards demonstrate the continued progress of the industry, especially in the areas of innovation and technology, and I’d like to thank participants for taking the time to share their business developments and achievements over the past year. At KPMG we’re delighted to support the recognition of excellence in Ireland’s property industry, and the showcasing of high standard activities that are shaping the future of the industry”.
The 2019 Overall Winner Award went to Dublin City Council, Dolphin House Regeneration.
The 1950s estate of 400 flats near the Coombe hospital in Dolphin’s Barn is the largest remaining council flat complex in the State. Designated for demolition and redevelopment more than a decade ago, the regeneration is an exemplary example of the principles of community-based, tenant-led approaches to housing regeneration, ownership and management. The regeneration of 100 homes at Dolphin House, Dublin’s largest apartment scheme has been completed at a cost of €26 million. 37 of the homes are newly built, with the remaining 63 flats having been refitted and repurposed. The result has been high-quality low-energy use buildings, achieving A2 and A3 BER ratings. This is just the first phase of an ambitious phased development that will not only enhance the lives of the existing residents but of the wider community as a whole with play areas, green areas and landscaped gardens to avail.
The theme of rebuilding and rejuvenation was evident amongst other Award winners, such as: The Ballymun Boiler House which won the Energy Efficiency Award – is among the most energy efficient public buildings in Ireland, it is a symbol of the ongoing community regeneration in Ballymun and represents the clear correlation between community and developments within. Excellence in Planning award went to Clones Renewal Scheme. Community Benefit Award Below €1mn investment was won by Rathmullan Pier, Donegal and Design Award went to Limericks The Hanging Gardens. See attached for all winners.
Speaking at the Awards, Paul Muldoon of INM, said, “While these awards are about recognising excellence, there is also the very important element that all nominees and winners are contributing not just to the economy but to the wellbeing of the nation. They are regenerating communities, protecting the environment, designing the future of living and working. Critically and of heightened importance – they are building homes that people can live in and are doing their upmost to generate housing stock. As ever, I am extremely grateful to our sponsors KPMG, PINERGY and Eugene F Collins Solicitors for their continued support. I would also like to thank our Patrons – Hibernia REIT, Irish Life, Cosgrave Developments and Linesight who have been instrumental in the development of the very important educational element of these awards – funding of the DIT Doctorate in Property Research”.