Sea Gardens, Bray, for Ballymore, with Howells Architects

A 45-min train ride into the city centre on the DART rail link and 5 minute walk from the beach, Sea Gardens in County Wicklow aims to connect the city and coast for the Bray community. The project will provide 1200 two and three-bedroom homes across the 40ha site with an estimated GDV of over £5m and more than 9ha of public open space in addition to the new 5ha Central park.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

Ballymore

Howells Architects

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

Located on the north bank of the Dargle River, close to Bray Harbour and the iconic Victorian promenade, we have designed Sea Gardens as an entirely new neighbourhood, but one that is an ode to Bray’s historic charm whilst catering to the requirements of sustainable 21st-century living. Sea Gardens seamlessly links to its surroundings; from Corke Abbey to the North, and the harbour to the South, Ballymore’s integrated landscapes and parks ensure the new neighbourhood is well connected to the old. The vast neighbourhood straddles the counties of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown and Wicklow, with connectivity that will give residents the best of both urban and suburban living, with Dublin just 45 minutes away via the DART. The new homes boast views of the Irish Sea in one direction and the picturesque Wicklow Mountains in another We are creating homes for a range of customers; from two-bedroom apartments, through to three-bedroom houses ideally suited for young families with three well-appointed bedrooms, including an ensuite bathroom, as well as large kitchen and dinner areas alongside a separate living room. Sea Gardens’ four-bedroom properties will offer accommodation over three storeys. All four bedrooms are doubles, with two ensuite bathrooms for the primary bedrooms, as well as a focus on kitchen-living spaces. The homes also feature a study and a large utility room. 

Please describe your approach to this future place and its mix of uses. How will it function as a vibrant place? How does it knit into and serve the needs of the wider area?

Honouring the natural environment of Bray with our chosen aesthetic whilst bringing much-needed contemporary housing to the area was our approach for Sea Gardens. Ballymore’s visionary development of Sea Gardens follows a meticulously planned and executed phased approach, with Phase 1 already making waves as a sought-after coastal haven. Nestled on a prime expanse overlooking the coast, the first homes were released for sale in November 2023, marking a landmark opportunity for residents to claim their space in this burgeoning community. Strategically situated, these homes will also cater to the diverse needs of residents with an array of amenities, including games area, a dog park, creche, cafe, convenience store, ample seating areas, cycle parking and car share facilities. While The Orchard provides a lush green space that adds tranquillity to the surroundings. The next phase is the largest area of development; flanked by the River Dargle to the south and Bray Harbour to the east, this upcoming section will bring an array of houses, duplexes and apartments with captivating scenic views, complemented by a further range of additional retail, community and leisure facilities. For families, there are the Parkland Homes, designed for optimal living, with homezone streets that will prioritise the well-being of pedestrians, cyclists, children, and residents alike. Riverside Apartments comprising six blocks of new homes offering an elevated perspective of the Dargle. Here we are scaling up in height, using architecture to create a landmark mixeduse building in the coastal gardens with access to Central Park. 

What is the environmental impact of the project? How will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated? What is the sustainability strategy?

Ballymore has spent over four decades pioneering new ideas placing quality of life and sustainability at the core of our construction activities, celebrating our Irish heritage while investing in new ideas. We consistently demonstrate our rigorous commitment to sustainability by helping to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint and Sea Gardens is no exception. Our sustainability credentials in this development include the promise of A-rated homes under the Home Performance Index by the Irish Green Building Council emphasizing Ballymore’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable living. Such credentials are achieved thanks to our investment in features including modern energy-efficient windows with argon double glazing and low emissivity coating designed to reflect heat back into rooms, as well as insulation, energy saving LED light fittings throughout and the provision of a high-efficiency heat pump system for all hot water and heating needs. The heat pump system is designed to operate at lower temperatures to ensure efficiency and energy saving. We are constantly striving to create a more sustainable future by investing in game changing, live research and development programmes that will help us embrace the best of Irish architecture and the aesthetic that embodies our home country – while injecting new ideas that reduce our carbon footprint and create many more much needed new homes across Ireland – and in the UK.