Connacht Tribune 31st January 2003
English chains do battle for prime Wellpark hotel site
Two international hotel chains have expressed interest in operating a 129-bedroom hotel in Wellpark which has been given planning approval by city planners.
The hotel, which is part of an overall office and retail development on the site of the former Corbett’s Yard, could be up-and-running as early as next Spring. Developer Gerry Barrett of Radical Properties and Edward Holdings told the City Tribune that discussions were ongoing with two interested international hotel groups with a view to running the hotel.
The planning grant includes business and meeting rooms, bar, lounge and restaurant the 2.976 hectare site.The application replaced part of an already approved retail and office development. Under the new plan, 6,156 square metres of office space and 400 square metres of retail space will be omitted from the approved development to make way for the hotel. Mr Barrett pointed out that a final decision had not been made on the whether the hotel or office aspect of the development would go ahead, but a hotel did seem the more likely route.
“The office structure has been modified to take into account the possibility of a hotel. It depends on the demand really, and there is very little demand for offices currently in Galway,” he said. He added that major retail park development-which will be anchored by D.I.Y. giant Atlantic Homecare-would be hugely attractive.”The more we look at the visuals, we see the finished product will be visually stunning, 150 metres across. The profile of the hotel is amazing,” said Mr. Barrett.City planners said the hotel would be an acceptable development on the site. “The site is zoned for light industry and commercial uses other than those reserved in the city centre zone. In this regard the provision of a hotel and associated facilities is a permitted use and is therefore acceptable in principle. In this report, it is considered that, given the prominent location of the site on a main approach to the city and the proximity of the centre, a hostel in this location is appropriate.”It is considered that the proposal is in compliance with the Development Plan and that it will not result in any significant impact on local amenity,” planners said.
“The original retail part of the development will concentrate on the sale of electrical, household, toys, sports goods and furniture and is expected to open in November.”
Mr Barrett is also developing more than 80 apartments and a number of townhouses on an adjoining site.
Press Releases Archive
24th November 2005
The interior of the new G hotel in Galway - designed by Philip Treacy - is extraordinarily glamourous.
The Irish Times 16th November 2005
Drogheda became one of the last big towns in Ireland to move into the modern shopping era last Thursday when the stunning new Scotch Hall shopping centre opened, marking the first phase of the rejuvenation of the rundown docklands area. The €200 million complex is one of the finest on the east coast.
Sunday Times Style Magazine 13th November 2005
Someone’s let Philip Treacy loose on a hotel in Ireland. Dominic Bradbury surveys the results.
Sunday Business Post 28th September 2005
The finishing touches are being put to Scotch Hall, Galway developer Gerry Barrett's €150 million retail and leisure development on the south bank of the river Boyne in Drogheda, Co Louth. The scheme, which is expected to draw customers from as far afield as Navan, Newry, Dundalk and Dublin, has been six years in the pipeline and has been under construction for just over two years.
Sunday Tribune 23rd January 2005
A 27-STOREY residential tower, part of a plan to further develop the river side area of Drogheda, could have the similar effect on the town that the Guggenheim museum had on Bilbao, according to architect Gerry Hand of Douglas Wallace.
The Irish Times 10th November 2004
The Galway property developer Gerry Barrett has bought the distinctive Victorian University Hall in Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for over €16 million.
3rd September 2004
Irish-based property company Edward Holdings has launched a new subsidiary hotel brand, Monogram Hotels.
The Sunday Tribune: 14th November 2004
It’s a €100m near sellout as the country’s wealthiest buyers splash out on Gerry Barrett’s D4 development.
The Irish Times: 1st July 2004
The final 17 apartments and coach-houses in what is the most exclusive and expensive scheme in Galway go on the market today.
English chains do battle for prime Wellpark hotel site
The Connacht Tribune: 31st January 2003
Two international hotel chains have expressed interest in operating a 129-bedroom hotel in Wellpark which has been given planning approval by city planners.
The Connacht Tribune: 4th October 2002
Plans for a 129-bedroom hotel at Moneenageisha Cross, to replace part of an already approved office development, have been submitted to the City Council.
Drogheda Independent: 19th June 2002
Drogheda Borough Councillors have given the green light to the ambitious Scotch Hall development on the South Quay - despite an objection from Parolen Limited the developers of the Laurence Street shopping development.
Drogheda Independent: 29th March 2002
The proposed Scotch Hall development planned for Drogheda's south quay will lead to 550 jobs according to the developers.
Irish Times: 27th March 2002
The 200-year-old Bloomfield Hospital and grounds off Morehampton Road in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, is to be redeveloped as one of the city's most exclusive residential enclaves with houses costing up to £2.5 million (€4m) each.
Irish Times: 5th September 2001
Atlantic Homecare is to anchor a new retail park at one of the principal gateways to Galway city.
Drogheda Independent: 30th March 2001
Drogheda's Docklands are to be transformed by an ambitious £50 million redevelopment on the site of the Lakelands grain store.
Galway City Tribune: 12th January 2001
A multi-million pound development which will provide a specialist shopping centre and offices for high-tech companies is being planned for the Wellpark area.
Drogheda Independent: 30th June 2000
The Skyline of Drogheda may be about to change with the possible demolition and removal of the large grey metal silos in the Lakeland Dairies premises on the Marsh Road now that the company is apparently considering relocating to a more rural location.
Galway City Tribune: 14th April 2000
The new £40 million shopping complex, Edward Square, opened its doors on Wednesday morning and enjoyed brisk business all day as thousands thronged the new centre.
Galway City Tribune: 10th September 1999
Top UK retailer 'Next' have been confirmed as tenants of the £26 million Edward Square shopping complex which is hoped to open on schedule at the end of November just in time for the hectic Christmas shopping period.
Galway City Tribune: 26th September 1997
Developers should liase more with residents before lodging their planning applications with the planning authority to avoid delays, it was claimed this week.
Irish Independent: 23rd July 1997
A major new shopping scheme is on the cards for Barrack Lane in Galway City which will see a new department store, ten shops and up to 50 new homes put in place costing £22m.
