Irish developer Chartered Land has submitted an application for an extension to its Pavilions shopping centre at Swords, north of Dublin, which would significantly increase the scheme’s retail offer.

The extension will bring two new department stores and a raft of retail space to the scheme.

The plans have attracted department store retailers Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser already, both of which have agreed to take the new anchor stores if the application is approved.

The 226,000 sq ft (20,995 sq m) extension would take the centre to more than 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m).

Chartered Land is poised to invest a further 1 billion (£811.3 million) in the centre, which is anchored by Dunnes and Superquinn. As well as the two new anchor stores, a further 100 retail units will be added, as well as 200 residential units and four office blocks.

Chartered Land is awaiting a decision from Fingal County Council on whether work can proceed. The developer said it hopes to complete the scheme by 2013.

The extension ties in with the local authority’s wider regeneration plans to cope with Swords’ growing population – expected to hit 100,000 in the next 20 years – which include the introduction of a suburban rail system.

Chartered Land chief executive Dominic Deeny said: “We have been particularly conscious of ensuring that our plans for Swords Pavilions are in keeping with and supportive of the evolving plans that Fingal County Council have for Swords.

“We are keenly aware of the needs of this part of North County Dublin, which is set to continue its population growth.”

Chartered Land bought Pavilions in Ireland’s largest single property deal to date for 575 million (£466.5 million). It has since invested in a phased improvement programme for the centre.

Last year, a smaller extension brought in retailers including Zara and Body Shop.

If the application is approved, the extended centre would employ an additional 4,000 people.


New lease of life: the extension would take the Pavilions centre to 1 million sq ft