Sandyford’s Sentinel set for completion after two decades as Dublin apartment project moves forward
Summary: In Ireland breaking news from Dublin’s housing sector, the long-stalled Sentinel building in Sandyford is set to be completed, with the developer saying work on the final phase will begin early next year and finish by the end of that year. The 14-storey structure has stood unfinished for around 20 years and is now expected to become a residential scheme.
Story: Sandyford Sentinel saga nears its end
The Sentinel, a 14-storey concrete tower on Blackthorn Drive in Sandyford, has become one of south Dublin’s most visible unfinished developments since the property crash. Originally planned during the boom years, the building was left as a bare shell after construction stopped in 2008.
Now, the Comer Group says the project is finally moving toward delivery. The company expects the Sentinel to be completed and occupied as apartments, closing a chapter that has stretched across the Celtic Tiger, the crash and the recovery.
What happened?
The site was first assembled in the late 1990s and changed hands at the height of the property boom. Construction of the tower began in 2007, but the financial crash halted progress the following year. The structure remained untouched for years while different proposals came and went.
Earlier plans included offices and later so-called office suites, but those ideas failed to advance. A key shift came when planning policy changed to support a residential future for the site. The current approved plan is for 110 apartments, including one-bed, two-bed and three-bed homes.
According to the developer, works linked to the wider Rockbrook scheme have already been under way, with the Sentinel due to form the last phase.
Why it matters
This latest news Ireland update matters because the project could bring badly needed homes to a major employment hub that already has strong transport links and extensive office space. Local councillors have also backed completion, saying the building has long symbolised delay and wasted potential.
- It would remove a long-derelict landmark from the Sandyford skyline
- It adds new housing in a high-demand Dublin location
- It may shift local debate toward transport and community services
Impact on Dublin housing
For anyone following Ireland news, the Sentinel story reflects a wider housing and planning pattern: boom-era schemes stalled by the crash are gradually being reworked into residential projects. In this case, the developer says structural testing has confirmed the building can still be completed safely.
Readers can follow more Ireland news and housing updates in our Ireland news blog.
Conclusion
After standing unfinished for two decades, the Sentinel appears closer than ever to completion. For Dublin and for readers tracking Ireland breaking news, the real significance is simple: a prominent ghost of the crash may finally become new homes in Sandyford.
