Sunday Tribune 23rd January 2005
Could this be the South Bank show for Drogheda?
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.
Developers Edward Holdings last week submitted a planning application for the new tower as part of a mixed used scheme which forms the second phase of the redevelopment of river bank area of Drogheda and will be known as Southbank. The first phase of the Scotch Hall development… a 150m hotel and shopping complex… is already under construction and is earmarked for completion by the end of the year.
"Drogheda has been bypassed by national strategies in the past," says Hand. "This project should really put it back on the map. If approved, I have no doubt it will become a potent symbol of the town's renewed vigour and success.
There is no doubt that iconic buildings like this can really revive a town's fortunes. Up until the Guggenheim came to Bilbao, the city was known as an industrial city with little or no tourism. Since the museum opened this has changed dramatically. I think Drogheda is doing well as it is but this would give it a further boost.
There were objections to the first phase and I don't doubt that there will be to the Southbank project but I'm confident we will get the go ahead from Drogheda council."
In addition to the residential tower which would provide 224 apartments, the second phase of the plan includes a conference centre, spa, eight-screen cinema and provision for further retail and commercial accommodation.
Also incorporated is an extension of the four-star hotel in neighbouring Scotch Hall, adding a further 80 rooms. Edward Holdings believe that the mix of uses will combine to give the project a value of more then 300m.
Another vital component of the scheme is a new vehicular bridge to ease local traffic congestion and complete the integration of the south and north sides of the Boyne in Drogheda. The bridge will connect the Dublin Road on the south side of the river to the historic commercial hub on the north, crossing over Marsh Road and bypassing the bottlenecks of Mary's Bridge and the Bullring.
The extension of Scotch Hall outside the City Walls will mean that further stretch of riverside walkway can be opened up for pedestrian use.
"Scotch Hall and Southbank will provide quayside pedestrian walkways of around 400 metres, lined with cafes, bars and other facilities, " says Hand.
The new vehicular bridge will not only complete the integration of the two sides of the river in Drogheda which, for so long but will also improve access to the important M1 motorway, cutting down the journey time between the north side of Drogheda and Dublin.
"I think the inclusion in the development proposals of additional hotel accommodation and a major new facility capable of hosting regional, national and even international events such as conferences and product launches should attract more businesses to the town, " says Hand.
By David Brophy
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.
Could this be the South Bank show for Drogheda?
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.
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.
