Coopers Cross is a landmark mixed-use development transforming Dublin’s North Dock, combining residential, commercial, and retail spaces around a major new public park. Designed to the highest sustainability standards, it sets a new benchmark for urban living in the city.
Sapphire Balconies was appointed to design and manufacture over 355 balconies for the residential buildings. As the company’s first project in Dublin, it marked a significant milestone delivered through innovation and collaboration.
The project began in early 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing site shutdowns and delays. The use of precast concrete frames in Ireland required a different approach to balcony anchoring and sequencing compared to typical UK construction methods.
Additional complexity came from the specified pipe drainage system, which increased cost and design constraints.
Sapphire continued design work throughout the pandemic to avoid delays and established a factory in Northern Ireland to secure supply during Brexit disruption.
A bespoke anchor system was developed to suit the precast structure, supported by onsite assembly and in-house testing. Sapphire also worked with stakeholders to replace pipe drainage with a controlled edge drainage strategy, improving efficiency and preventing water nuisance in key areas.
