Topping Out Ceremony Celebrates Progress on Citi’s Sustainable Dublin HQ

On March 25th PJ Hegarty was proud to host the topping-out ceremony for the new European headquarters of Citi at Waterfront South Central, on Dublin’s North Quays with our client Ronan Group. The milestone event celebrated the completion of the highest structural point above ground of this development.

The ceremony was attended by Citi’s senior leadership, including Nacho Gutiérrez-Orrantia, CEO of Citibank Europe Plc, and Davinia Conlan, Citi Country Head for Ireland. They were joined by Ronan Group senior personnel and key partners from PJ Hegarty, including Quinton Allen, Regional Construction Director.

Set for completion in 2026, the 459,000 sq. ft, twelve storey commercial building will be one of the most sustainable in Citi’s global real estate portfolio. Featuring a triple basement with new design and technology, the new headquarters will provide a sustainable workspace for Citi’s employees and clients.

Several sustainable features have been integrated into the design to reduce its environmental impact including HVAC heat pump system, rainwater harvesting, and the installation of water-efficient sanitary fittings. Alongside the efforts made during the construction phase with 86.5% of construction waste, 230 tonnes have been diverted from landfills, and 2,342 tonnes of carbon have been saved by incorporating granulated blast furnace slag into the concrete mix.

With its environmental efforts, the building is striving to achieve a LEED v4 Platinum green building rating, along with a Wiredscore Platinum rating for its advanced digital infrastructure. Additionally, it aims for WELL Platinum certification for its interior spaces and base building, ensuring a healthy and productive work environment. The project is also targeting Zero Carbon certification and a Building Energy Rating of A3.

At PJ Hegarty, we take pride in our role in bringing this project to life and with structural works ahead of schedule, which is a testament to hard work, innovation, collaboration, and partnerships.

Celebrating Diversity: Gold Sponsorship at the CIF International Women’s Day Summit

We were delighted to be a Gold Sponsor of this years Construction Industry Federation International Women’s Day summit.

The event provided great insight with topics such as infrastructure, financial independence, pioneers in safety and building heroes discussed. Susan McGarry’s moving keynote address highlighted her remarkable journey of resilience leaving the audience in awe.

We were proud to have Sinead Gaines, our Regional EHS Manager, take part in the Pioneers in Safety panel, sharing insights on women’s leadership in health and safety. This again really reinforcing the importance of diversity in the industry.

Building Responsibly: Smarter Water Management for the Future

International days such as World Water Day make us stop and consider our impact on the environment and its natural resources. All organisations will leave their mark; our aim is to be accountable, measuring any impacts we may have and reducing them over time.

With water scarcity becoming an increasing global challenge, industries must play their part in responsible water management. At PJ Hegarty, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and improving water efficiency across our projects. As part of our 2030 ESG roadmap, our aim is to reduce potable water usage intensity by 50% by 2030. We’re improving water efficiency through more innovative management and sustainable construction.

Empowering Women in Construction: Our ERG Hosts Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan

Last week, to celebrate International Women’s Day, our Empowering Women in Construction Employee Resource Group (ERG) hosted a webinar with bestselling author Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan. Dr. O’Sullivan’s journey from overcoming homelessness and teenage motherhood to becoming an award-winning lecturer is a testament to the power of mentorship, support, and education in transforming lives. Katriona’s story reinforces the idea that having strong role models and accessible opportunities can help individuals reshape their futures.

During the session, Dr. O’Sullivan emphasised the role of mentorship  and support systems in women’s success in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction. She spoke on the importance of creating environments where women can authentically express themselves, stating, “We have to think about the conversations, the community, and how can we make sure that women can be women while working in construction.” This resonates with our company values on inclusivity and relationships.

As part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, PJ Hegarty actively participates in initiatives that promote greater access to careers in construction and STEM. Our Head of HR, Jan Glynn, supports the Passport for Inclusion programme, ensuring that we not only open doors for the next generation of women in construction but also continue to develop a workforce that reflects the diversity of the wider community.

As we continue this journey, we recognise the importance of community and conversation in driving meaningful change. Dr. O’Sullivan’s experiences emphasise our commitment to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of gender, can succeed and play a vital role in our shared success.

Read more about DEI at PJ Hegarty here.

International Women’s Day – Genevieve, HR Business Partner at PJ Hegarty.

Genevieve Rose, HR Business Partner at PJ Hegarty in our southern office, is passionate about establishing an inclusive workplace in construction, a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees, in particular women in the industry. With a focus on connections, Genevieve provides HR support for directors, managers, and employees, whether in the office or on-site. “I’m just a place for people to come when they need to vent,” she shares, emphasising the personal touch to her HR role.

Genevieve’s experience as a woman in the construction industry has been overwhelmingly positive, surrounded by a culture of respect and collaboration. “I knew these are the people for me,” she says, reflecting on her welcoming experience at PJ Hegarty. “We build buildings, but it’s the relationships and the people who are doing it and forming the teams with that makes the difference.” she concludes, stressing the vital role relationships play in shaping the industry’s future and continue to build a inclusive workplace in construction.

International Women’s Day – Ciara shares her passion for empowering others in PJ Heagrty.

Empowering Women in Health and Safety, Ciara Nolan, an Environmental, Health, and Safety Coordinator (EHS) at PJ Hegarty, is committed to mentorship and creating a supportive work environment. Having worked with the company for seven years, she thrives in the dynamic and family-oriented culture. “The culture on a PJ Hegarty site is family orientated,” she shares, emphasising the importance of community and looking out for one another when working in construction.

Her journey into health and safety wasn’t straightforward, but her experiences have strengthened her passion for Empowering Women in Health and Safety. Ciara is a member of PJ Hegarty’s Empowering Women in Construction group, driven by her belief in leadership through education. “It’s important to share my experiences as a woman in the construction industry to make roles in health and safety more visible,” she says.

Through mentorship and advocacy, Ciara is paving the way for women to embrace opportunities in the industry, encouraging them to “embrace every opportunity, to learn and grow and don’t be afraid to break stereotypes.”

International Women’s Day – Lauren shares her experience working in PJ Hegarty.

Building a Career in Construction, Lauren Walsh, a Design Coordinator at PJ Hegarty, shares her inspiring journey from studying architecture to working in construction. After working with a main contractor as a project manager, she quickly fell in love with the dynamic, hands-on nature of the industry.

As a Design Coordinator, Lauren’s role is to ensure coordination between design teams, contractors, and site workers. She emphasises the importance of collaboration and attention to detail in creating successful projects.

Reflecting on her experience as a woman in construction, Lauren encourages others to pursue careers in the field: “As a woman, you can bring a completely different perspective to a job or problem-solving.” She adds, “The only bad questions are the ones that you don’t ask.” Lauren highlights the value of continuous learning and the opportunity to contribute to different projects. Building a Career in Construction offers a wealth of opportunity for women to make a significant impact and being part of a company that is so passionate about collaboration, your gender is less important and more about what you can offer.

International Women’s Day – Ava discusses her sustainability student placement in PJ Hegarty.

Ava Foley, a student from TU Dublin, is currently on a placement at PJ Hegarty’s, is working towards achieving Platinum LEED certification for a site alongside a Senior Engineer. Her passion for sustainability and the environment, sparked during her college years, led her to pursue Environmental Management, and now she’s gaining hands-on experience as part of women in construction.  

“I never intended to go into construction, but my love for environmental issues pulled me in,” Ava shares. “Working on site has given me valuable knowledge that I can apply to both my studies and my future career.” 

Reflecting on her experience, Ava encourages others to explore careers in construction: “The industry offers great opportunities for growth and collaboration, and it’s inspiring to see women in senior roles.” She also adds, “I’ve learned so much from working alongside such a supportive team. Everyone is really invested in helping me develop and grow.” Ava’s journey highlights the importance of diversity and how different perspectives are shaping the future for women in construction.