More housing needed to double employment in Sandyford Business District – report

Sandyford Business District (SBD) could double its workforce by 2028 but only if there is "ready availability of housing stock" for the employees of the global companies based there, according to a report by Irish economist Jim Power.

The south Dublin area, which was set up as a business improvement district in 2017, is home to 1,000 companies – including 13 Fortune 500 companies – and about 26,000 employees. The district has about 37,161 sq m (400,000 sq ft ) of new office space and more than 92,903 sq m (1 million sq ft) planned for development.

The report, commissioned by the SBD, concludes a strategic approach to land use and housing density – including flexibility in heights, mixed uses, increased living accommodation and support amenities – will be necessary to retain employers in the area and facilitate the doubling of employment numbers.

Property agency Knight Frank has projected that the working population of the district is likely to grow from 26,000 to 48,500 by the end of the next Sandyford Urban Framework Plan 2022-2028.

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Mr Power’s report states that the district generates €21.6 million in commercial rates for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, while the gross wage bill generated by companies based there is estimated to be €1 billion.

Although Sandyford is deemed to be an attractive location for investments by the “high-tech, knowledge-driven commercial cluster” present in the area, SBD could face “intense competition” from Cherrywood, also in south Dublin, in the years ahead, the report notes.

The State’s foreign direct investment (FDI) model as a whole is also likely to be challenged by impending changes to the global corporation tax regime.

‘Right path’

"While the report clearly shows that Sandyford Business District is on the right path with the strategies it is implementing, in order to ensure the sustainable long-term development of the area, it is crucial that the needs identified in this report are met," said district executive Conor Battigan.

“The challenges posed to the district by OECD-driven corporation tax changes means it is crucial that national policy is more strategic in terms of delivery to ensure continued outputs for the area.”

Better housing supply is not only needed to maintain the appeal of the area, it is crucial to the Government’s ambition to deliver a “15-minute city” that has the effect of reducing carbon emissions, Mr Battigan said.

Companies based in SBD include Mastercard, Microsoft, Vodafone, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Facebook, Google, BNP Paribas and AIB.