Permission sought for €400m Galway scheme

Planning&DevelopmentThe planned redevelopment of the Crown Control site in Galway city will be one of the largest commercial and residential schemes of its kind with a projected end value of around €400 million.

A planning application for the 12.5-acre parcel of land between Monivea Road and Tuam Road has been lodged with Galway City Council and the promoters are hoping to begin construction in the first quarter of 2007 and complete it in little over two years.

The planning application for the Crown Centre provides for 26,425sq m (284,438sq ft) of retail, 11,563sq m (124,464sq ft) of residential accommodation, 9,286sq m (100,000sq ft) of offices and additional facilities including a hotel, crèche and leisure centre.

The facilities will be provided around a civic square which, when completed, will be larger than the green area of Eyre Square.

The square will also have a civic function and will accommodate cultural and community events, such as local markets and art galleries.

Aidan Gavin of DTZ Sherry FitzGerald says that the design team has focused carefully on urban needs, in addition to the provision of buildings that would not only deliver the required accommodation but also a quality neighbourhood environment.

OKM Architects is handling the design for the promoters, Stephen Harris, Walter King and Bernard McKeown.

Gavin says his agency is "well advanced" in negotiations with a number of high profile occupiers.

International experience has shown that there was an increasing trend towards mixed-use developments where people lived, worked and socialised.