The Health Service Executive (HSE) is nearing a deal to acquire the former St Mary’s nursing home in Dublin 4 for approximately €40 million.
Strategic Expansion at the St Vincent’s Campus
The acquisition of the St Mary’s site represents a calculated effort by the State to consolidate land around the St Vincent’s campus. This area is already the designated location for the new National Maternity Hospital. By securing this property from the Religious Sisters of Charity, the HSE gains significant control over the immediate vicinity of one of the country’s most critical medical hubs.
This is not the HSE’s first investment in this specific pocket of Dublin 4. Two years ago, the health authority paid about €50 million to acquire the remaining interests of property giant Starwood at the adjacent Elmpark Green scheme. QRE Real Estate Advisers, which managed that transaction, is understood to be advising the HSE on the current St Mary’s deal.
Established by the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1868, St Mary’s Home for the “Destitute Catholic Blind”, as it was originally known, was later developed as a healthcare and residential campus.
Development Potential and Zoning Constraints
While the HSE’s primary goal is healthcare infrastructure, the site offers substantial development potential. A masterplan prepared by Reddy Architecture + Urbanism identified the land as suitable for a multi-use project. Concepts for the site included 360 apartments, 315 student housing units for medical trainees, a 239-bedroom hotel, and over 19,500 square meters of private hospital accommodation.
However, any future development must adhere to current Dublin City Council zoning. Under the 2022-2028 development plan, about 4.85 hectares (11.97 acres) of the site is zoned “Z15,” which is intended “to protect and provide for community uses and social infrastructure”. The remaining 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) is zoned “Z6” with the aim “to provide for the creation and protection of enterprise and facilitate opportunities for employment creation”. These designations ensure that any construction on the land remains aligned with public service and institutional goals.
Pro Tip: When tracking large-scale state infrastructure projects, always check the local authority’s development plan zoning. The “Z15” and “Z6” designations on the St Mary’s site dictate exactly what kind of facilities the HSE can legally build there, regardless of the site’s size.
Comparison: St Mary’s vs. Elmpark Green
The table below outlines the scale of these recent investments:
| Property | Estimated Cost | Primary Strategic Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Elmpark Green | €50 million | Expansion of existing hospital campus |
| St Mary’s | €40 million | Long-term healthcare infrastructure |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Sisters of Charity sell the St Mary’s site?
The property was placed into liquidation by the order in July 2020 after previously operating as a nursing home and convalescent facility.
What is the current zoning of the St Mary’s campus?
According to the Dublin City Council 2022-2028 development plan, about 4.85 hectares (11.97 acres) are zoned Z15 (Community and Social Infrastructure) and 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) are zoned Z6 (Employment/Enterprise).
Who is advising the HSE on this purchase?
QRE Real Estate Advisers is understood to be providing advisory services to the HSE for this transaction.
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