Bayview Gardens in Drogheda has been named Social Housing Development of the Year at the Business Post National Property Summit and Awards.
North and East Housing Association said it was delighted with the recognition for the development which has transformed a long neglected site opposite Drogheda Railway Station into 58 high quality, energy efficient homes.
The awards ceremony took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin on Thursday March 5th 2026. The development is now fully occupied and contributing to daily life in the town.
The award recognises high quality, sustainable housing delivery that supports communities and addresses real housing need.
Judges agreed that the Bayview Gardens scheme transformed a run down site into a high quality, sustainable and inclusive development of 58 homes. They said strong collaboration and careful design helped deliver a scheme that fully integrates into its surroundings.
Before regeneration, the site had been marked by years of dereliction, fire damage and anti social behaviour. Today residents walk through landscaped gardens shaped around mature protected trees and into bright homes designed for comfort and long term value.
A central feature of the project is the restoration of Bayview House, a protected structure dating from 1853. Conservation specialists restored timber sash windows, applied lime based renders and carried out structural repairs that allow the character of the building to be both seen and experienced.
The Coach House, which had been semi derelict, has also been repurposed to provide modern homes while retaining its original form and materials. These heritage buildings now sit alongside contemporary apartments, creating a community that respects the past while supporting modern living.
Bayview Gardens was delivered by North and East Housing Association in partnership with Urban Life Limited, van Dijk Architects, the Housing Finance Agency plc, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Louth County Council.
Urban Life described the project as one that required determination and creativity to bring new life to a difficult site. van Dijk Architects highlighted the rare opportunity to blend heritage buildings with new homes, including the decision to design the development around protected trees that now form a defining feature of the gardens.
Homes in Bayview Gardens are A rated and designed to exceed national standards. Features include mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and solar PV systems which help provide warm, efficient and comfortable homes.
The development also includes level thresholds, lift access and generous circulation areas to make the scheme accessible. Outdoor facilities include communal gardens, a children’s play area, seating areas, pollinator friendly planting, secure bicycle storage, a repair station, EV charging points and a reinstated pedestrian link connecting the site directly to the town and rail services.
Residents have described the homes as bright and peaceful, often mentioning the large windows, natural light, privacy in the Coach House apartments and the convenience of being close to transport and shops.
Speaking about the award, NEHA Development Manager Pat Costelloe said
This recognition is a testament to the collaboration behind Bayview Gardens. Partners worked together with a clear and consistent focus on delivering a place that would work for residents and for the town. Seeing people now living here and building a community is the most important outcome.
Louth County Council described Bayview Gardens as a landmark regeneration project that strengthens the heart of Drogheda and demonstrates the value of partnership.
The development now stands as an example of how underused sites can be transformed to provide sustainable homes that support wellbeing while respecting heritage and nature.
