The fifth of our five finalists in the Fit Out or Refurbishment Over €10m category of this year’s Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards, sponsored by Surety Bonds.
Category: Fit Out or Refurbishment Over €10m
Project: Dublin Bus, Broadstone Garage
Contractor: Purcell Construction
Client: Dublin Bus / Iarnrod Eireann
Lead Architect: Iarnród Éireann Architectural Division
Since 1850, the Broadstone Depot has been the heart and soul of public transport across the county – Dublin Bus, and CIE before it, have operated buses and trams from here for over 100 years. From its cast iron structure to the memories it holds for generations of employees, this fantastic time capsule of Ireland’s transport infrastructure is steeped in history. Now, thanks to the work of Purcell Construction and the Iarnród Éireann Architectural Division, it will be a fantastic landmark and operations hub for generations to come.
The €15.2M refuribishment of the depot brings additional capacity within the Dublin Bus network and supports the company’s ability to expand its bus services in the city. It improves the service Dublin Bus delivers to the customers across the Greater Dublin Area and supports further job creation.
Extension, refurbishment, and conservation works were carried out to the existing derelict protected structure, to create maintenance workshop areas in addition to offices and staff facilities. Works also included the introduction of new mezzanine floor levels.
That sense of history in the building is striking. The iconic cast iron elements and overhead gantry cranes of the structure, have been carefully restored. Across the site, homage has been paid to the areas that held special meanings while ensuring that the Broadstone Depot was future-proofed and modified for all that will be needed from it for generations to come.
From the outset, the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the reconstruction was carefully considered. As Dublin Bus have introduced more sustainable practices into their business, and more environmentally friendly buses into their fleet, it was essential to replicate this commitment during this refurbishment.
Contractors Purcell Construction are proud to have been a part of the delivery team for this landmark project, and proud of the product left behind, safe in the knowledge that it has been adapted using the best materials and conservation practices. The completion of the Dublin Bus Broadstone Garage facility was achieved through a successful collaborative approach, and Purcell have gone on to work with Iarnród Éireann another large scale infrastructure project.
“Throughout the contract we found Purcells to be pro-active in problem solving, meetings and discussions were positive and professional. The project was completed to a high degree and has since received a RIAI commendation for adaption and re use and also Highly Commended by the National Railway Heritage Award (UK and Ireland) for Urban Heritage.”
SCOTT RAINSFORD – SENIOR ARCHITECT, IARNRÓD ÉIREANN
