The promoters secured land in the rural Kingswood and Brownsbarn areas near the N7 national road and targeted a mixed development, initially comprising a business park and a hotel and golf course complex, which eventually included some on-course accommodation.

[5] Harcourt and HSS provided 55% of the 150 million euro funding for the Luas light line extension to pass through the site.

As of 2011, Davy Hickey Properties had secured permission for 150 residential units, along with two shops and more offices, and while HSS had gone into receivership, development of the site continued.

[5] Major companies based at Citywest have included Pfizer, SAP, Unilever,[5] Independent News and Media (the former main printing plant is visible from the N7), and Eir, who moved their headquarters to the campus.

[8] Following the opening of the original business park, the N82 National road joining the N81 to the Naas dual carriageway was re-routed through the site, having previously passed through the village of Saggart.

Citywest hosts a Dublin City University branch facility, the DCU Ryan Academy (previously part of a larger concept, the Eeolas Institute, which closed after major losses).