Following their involvement in our Republic of Ireland Development Conference, we’ve been speaking to Bartra’s Sally Anne Sherry on their future plans and projects in the country…

Q. Bartra has a pipeline of 1,000 social and affordable homes between now and 2023, what are your core target areas for these schemes?

We have recently lodged a Strategic Housing Development planning application with An Bord Pleanála for the redevelopment of the former O’Devaney Gardens site in Dublin 7.   At this site, a minimum of 50% of the proposed 1,047 homes will be acquired outright by Dublin City Council (DCC) for the provision of social and affordable housing.  Elsewhere in Dublin, we will be providing social housing for DCC on long term 25-year leases, for example 23 homes in Stoneybatter and 39 homes in Fairview.

Q. With €1.1bn of projects in various stages of completion what are some of the highlights of your extensive plans?

We have several major development projects onsite.  In terms of highlights, Bartra Healthcare’s fourth nursing home commenced construction last month in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.  The 146 room €30m development will be completed in Q1 2023.

May 2021 also saw the commencement of The Sidings by Bartra, which will comprise a 10 storey over basement €141m office building, extending to a net area of over 161,179 sq ft in the heart of the Dublin Docklands.

Q. What would you say has been the most significant shift within the Ireland property market in recent years and how has coronavirus affected this?

2020 and early 2021 was certainly very challenging with the impact of coronavirus on our daily lives.  But projects and financing continued to progress and we remained very much open for business.  We are a diverse organisation and, while we will be progressing our projects in our co-living and commercial real estate divisions, our social housing and healthcare divisions are really thriving at the moment.  In terms of shifts, ESG (environmental, social and governance) is becoming more and more important for every step of the process.  These matters have risen to the top of the agenda for us and our investors, lenders, purchasers, tenants, communities and all other stakeholders that we engage with.

Q. How can firms from the supply chain get involved with Bartra’s projects?

We always aim to work with world class local suppliers right across our suite of businesses from Gahan Meats who provide premium cuts of Irish meat to Bartra Healthcare, to Collen Construction, the main contractor at The Sidings by Bartra.  We would encourage any Irish based suppliers and service providers to contact us at reception@bartra.ie

Q. What was Bartra’s experience like at the recent Ireland Development Conference?

Sharing our story, while also hearing from industry experts and other leading players in the sector, was interesting and informative in equal measure. We have all been working in a unique scenario over the past 18 months so having the opportunity to learn and share is more important now than ever before.