Chartered Land plans EUR1 bn expansion of Dublin shopping centre

Irish commercial property company Chartered Land has applied for planning permission to Fingal County Council for a EUR1 bn expansion of the Swords Pavilions shopping centre in north Dublin.

The expansion will add over 100 small and large retail units, two major flagship department stores, almost 200 residential units and four blocks of office space with associated car parking. The operation is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs during construction, with a total of 4,000 to be employed at the centre on completion in 2013.

Chartered Land's plans have been drawn up to reflect Fingal County Council's overall masterplan for Swords, which is aimed at creating a sustainable new city of over 100,000 people with improved shopping facilities and strong commercial, cultural and social amenities.

Two of Ireland's leading architectural practices, Newenham Mulligan & Associates and O’Mahony Pike, were appointed by Chartered Land to design the plans.

Central to the expansion will be the inclusion of over 40 new restaurants and street cafés which will create an exciting new social and cultural district for the town of Swords. In addition, the expansion will include a medical centre, crèches, community rooms and a day-care centre.

Since its acquisition in 2006 by Chartered Land, Swords Pavilions has become one of north Dublin's most successful shopping centres, attracting over 200,000 visitors each week. Strategically located adjacent to the M1 at Swords, the centre currently comprises over 95 retail units and is anchored by Dunnes Stores and Superquinn. As part of its 2007 expansion, Swords Pavilions welcomed a number of high profile tenants including Spanish retailer Zara, Du Pareil au Meme and The Body Shop. The centre also includes a variety of well known international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Esprit and Bertoni.