Sisk and D/RES JV Arden unveils ‘Foothills’ sustainable home community in Killinarden
Arden, the landmark strategic joint venture between John Sisk & Son and D/RES Properties, has announced its first development – Foothills, Killinarden.
Delivered in partnership with South Dublin County Council, Foothills represents a significant milestone for Arden, providing 635 mixed-tenure homes designed as part of a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood at the base of the Dublin Mountains. The project is set to become a cornerstone of sustainable residential development in South Dublin.
Earlier this month, John Sisk & Son and D/RES announced Arden as a new strategic joint venture residential development platform. This development is the first iteration of Arden’s vertically integrated delivery model, featuring a diverse mix of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom units.
To support the delivery of this vision, Arden has secured financial backing from Bank of Ireland. As the primary development lender, Bank of Ireland has committed a €32 million finance facility to fund the working capital required for the delivery of 635 social, affordable, and private residential units at Foothills.
Today’s sod turning was led by the Mayor of South Dublin Pamela Kearns, An Tánaiste Mr Simon Harris TD and the Minister for Housing, Mr James Browne TD. At the event, they said:
Mayor Pamela Kearns: Today’s sod turning for Foothills, Killinarden, is a real step forward for the area. This new neighbourhood will deliver 635 new social, affordable and private homes which will allow more people to put down roots in an area that is well established and close to schools and local services. This housing project has been carefully planned around community from day one – with a public park, sports pitches, community centre, and safe walking and cycling routes. We are proud to support a development that will help build a strong, connected community at the foot of the Dublin Mountains for years to come.”
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By encompassing social, affordable, and private housing, Foothills is structured to support buyers at every stage of the property journey while addressing the demand for high-quality, institutional-grade residential communities. With community central to the design, Foothills ensures residents have immediate access to essential amenities, reflecting Arden’s focus on long-term quality and generational trust.
The project will deliver substantial community infrastructure, including a 6.6-hectare public park, two sports pitches, and a 740 square metre community centre. To promote sustainable living and biodiversity, the neighbourhood features 3.6 km of walking and cycling paths and streets designed as ‘home-zones’ with extensive native tree planting. The first homes will be available from January 2027.
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD: “Foothills is a significant contribution to housing delivery in Dublin, providing 635 new homes for people at different stages of life and the housing journey, from first-time buyers and young families to those looking to right-size. Behind every new home is a person, a couple or a family looking for security, stability and the chance to build their future. This is why accelerating housing delivery remains this government’s central priority. The Foothills shows what can be achieved when partners work together with a shared focus on delivery. With homes, green space, community facilities and sustainable infrastructure being delivered together, this project will help create a new community in Killinarden for the years ahead.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD: “This development is about more than bricks and mortar, it is about building sustainable, well-connected neighbourhoods with the services, amenities, and green spaces that allow communities to thrive. Foothills, Killinarden, shows what can be achieved when Government, local authorities, and delivery partners work together with ambition and urgency. The Government’s Starter Homes Programme continues to scale up nationwide, with the Land Development Agency, local authorities, and delivery partners expanding the pipeline of affordable homes, and I am determined that this continues.”
Patrick Durkan, CEO, D/RES Properties, added: “This Joint Venture with Sisk and the formation of Arden is the powerful combination of two-family legacies to assist in the institutional delivery of large residential developments across Ireland. As the market is maturing and the scale of Government ambition is to deliver larger multi-tenure schemes which require development and financial expertise, alongside the execution and construction expertise, we feel that Arden is a great proposition to drive value for all stakeholders.”
Paul Brown, CEO, John Sisk & Son, stated: “We are delighted to be on site delivering this first project as part of the Arden partnership with D/RES, working closely with key stakeholders and with the support of South Dublin County Council (SDCC).”
“This project, the first for Arden, brings together the complementary strengths of Sisk and D/RES, and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality housing. The focus is on working collaboratively to support well-planned, sustainable communities.”
Picture above: Amy Lee, Project Director, Arden; Patrick Durkan, CEO D/RES; Tánaiste Simon Harris; SDCC Mayor Pamela Kearns; Minister for Housing James Browne; Colm Ward, CE of SDCC; and Ger Penny, CFO John Sisk & Son at the sod turning for ‘Foothills’ – A 635-Home Sustainable Community in Killinarden.
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