€25m student village planned for new Docks urban quarter

Plans will be lodged with Galway City Council today for a €25 million student accommodation development in the new ‘urban quarter’ at Galway Docks – which includes 345 en suite bedrooms.

The project is backed by local developer Gerry Barrett’s Bonham Dock Ltd and is the residential element of his ‘Bonham Quay’ regeneration plans for the former Topaz oil tanks site.

Last month, he submitted plans to the Council for a €104m office project on the site, measuring 26,000 square metres.

The ‘Queen Street Development’ will begin adjacent to the United Methodist & Presbyterian Church in Victoria Place and occupy what will become an iconic corner site for the city.

The development on the three-quarter acre site will be in two buildings – stretching to seven storeys over the ground floor, which will be given over as ‘start up’ space for entrepreneurs.

Mr Barrett told the Galway City Tribune the development is of high-quality design and will help to ‘free up’ accommodation around the city currently occupied by students.

“In addition to the modern en suite bedrooms and shared living areas, amenities such as a fitness studio, informal study areas and contemporary common areas will be provided to enhance the student experience. Secure bicycle parking will be provided for 175 bicycles.

“Garden terraces are provided at first floor and on the roof and high quality landscaping and planting will provide an attractive destination for students.”
For the rest of the details on the plans, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.