Plans to create new ‘town’ on eastern side of Galway City

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – The backers of a proposed new ‘town’ off the Tuam Road – involving more than 300 apartments, office blocks, a supermarket and 150-bed hotel – have said they are undeterred by the Covid pandemic.

The plan for the 19-acre site at City North Business Park – adjacent to the An Post distribution centre, Parkmore and Ballybrit Industrial Estates – would ultimately see the creation of 500 construction jobs and office space for 4,000 workers and has been described as “possibly the biggest” project Galway has ever seen, changing the face of the city’s east side.

The development’s ‘unique selling point’ is its proximity to major employers such as Boston Scientific, HP and Medtronic – a spokesperson for Strategic Land Investments Ltd said the project will be “100 yards from Boston Scientific”.

Strategic Land – which is part-owned by the Cork-based McHugh Property Holdings – have applied to Galway City Council for permission to construction the mixed-use scheme which will be spread across 13 blocks ranging in height from two to eight storeys over basement parking.

The plans include:
■ 9 blocks of residential units ranging from 2-8 storeys and with a total of 309 apartments, laundry rooms, gym, co-working space and workshop areas;
■ Creche with outdoor play area;
■ Cultural centre with community café, exhibition space, meeting spaces, residents’ lounge and parcel collection point;
■ 4 blocks of offices between 4-5 storeys high with 25,500 square metres of space (for comparison, the new Bonham Quay at the Docks will be 25,000 sq m);
■ A 150-bed hotel over nine floors, a further 72 apart-hotel suites, conference facilities and restaurant;
■ Leisure centre with spa, indoor swimming pool, gym and treatment rooms;
■ Retail units, cafes and restaurants.
This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.