A GLIMPSE into how communities might live, work and grow in the future was provided by the launch of Central Park in Leopardstown last week.
Billed as Ireland’s first work-life campus, it is envisaged that Central Park will become the only business park in the country to balance lifestyle, work, home and the environment.
Home to a range of blue chip companies such as Vodafone, Ulster Bank, Merrill Lynch Bank of America, Leaseplan, Salesforce, RGA Insurance, Tullow Oil and VW Bank, activities under the banner of
‘Live Work Grow’ will be at the heart of the community of up to 8,000 potential employees.
Over 3,200 people are currently employed at Central Park, with the figure set to rise to 4,000 by the end of the year with new tenants due to arrive, according to landlords Green REIT.
The complex also houses 340 residents in 272 apartments, with this figure expected to grow to 700 by mid-2016.
By the time the development is complete, Central Park will be a community of over 8,000 people.
“We have designed full programmes which operate under the three tenets of Live, Work and Grow,
? said Central Park Marketing Director Viv Gaine.
“Our goal is to create a world-class environment which will connect the people who live and work there to each other. We’re taking every opportunity to socialise all groups in Central Park by offering an extensive range of events, ranging from personal and professional development and inter-company challenges as well as health, fitness and wellbeing activities.
“It’s about building a community and creating more than just a place to live or work.
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All members of the Central Park community will have a Building Link app that will enable them to seamlessly integrate some of the daily tasks of living, such as dry cleaning, ordering food, running errands, prescription collection services and much more.
“The app features a concierge service which is a portfolio of complementary and optional fee-based services available for the tenant, the employee and their visitors,
? added Steven Fagan, Associate Director Asset Services for managing agent CBRE.
“For example, the app can order you an umbrella from the front desk, track your luggage from the airport, or register an online shopping package which it will track automatically, notifying you when it arrives at the front desk.
“It also features a service called Neighbour Net, where people can register their interests such as training for the marathon or going to Croke Park on Sunday that will allow others to hook up with them and grow the Central Park community.
“The app also allows exclusive access to the Central Park community panel of experts – including wine concierge Alan Cromley who is one of only 300 masters of wine worldwide.
“It operates through a variety of platforms and is fully integrated with the buildings, allowing people to reserve boardrooms, book parking or report an issue as well as availing of the tasks that make their home and working life easier.
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According to Mr Fagan, the fact that Central Park is the only office development in the country with its own dedicated Luas station helps to create the community feel around the campus.
“We have laid the groundwork for the organic growth of a community here at Central Park,
? he added.
“And we are very confident that in five years’ time we will be seen as the people who mastered the work-life balancing act.
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