Galway City Tribune, September 10, 1999
‘Next’ stop for Edward Square will mark Christmas opening
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.
The Galway Next will be the company’s largest store in Ireland taking over a unit of 8,500 square feet – the second largest unit at Edward Square – and will be the first branch of their chain to open West of the Shannon.
The confirmation of the popular UK retailer for the city’s newest shopping complex is a major coup for Developer Gerry Barrett of Edward Holdings and their outlet will feature a range of men’s, women’s and children’s fashion. Dunnes Stores has already been confirmed as the tenant of the 67,000 square foot anchor store which will be one of their biggest branches in the country. It will represent one of Dunnes Stores’ flagship branches with its multi-level retail facility, high tech architectural features and an upmarket food hall. Dunnes have already started looking for staff for this new store where up to 300 are expected to be employed. Edward Square is expected to employ a total of 450 people altogether in its retail section. Some 2,000 square feet of the overall Dunnes Stores space will be taken up wit offices and stores, but the retail space will still be bigger than their braches at Eyre Square and Terryland.
The lease for the seven remaining units are expected to be signed within the next couple of weeks and announcements will follow as to the identity of the tenants. Meanwhile, PJ Hegarty Construction are continuing work at the site and Gerry Barrett said it was his aspiration that the commercial section of the development, which covers almost 85,000 square feet, will be open with all units trading by the end of November. He agreed that it would be particularly important for the retailers to open on time for the Christmas shopping frenzy.
Other aspects of the centre, including the Shoemaker Lane foodmarket development, 49 residential units and 3,700 square feet of office space are expected to reach completion and open early next year. Mr. Barrett said: “Edward Square will greatly enhance city centre shopping in Galway. This exciting development will position Galway city centre as the place to shop in the West of Ireland and we anticipate that shoppers will be tempted to come into Galway from a 70 mile radius, thus benefiting all retailers.
The new shopping complex will be linked to the Eyre Square Centre on two levels – on the ground floor at the Whitehall entrance and via a dramatic pedestrian bridge made of lightweight steel and glass to the upper level of Eyre Square. This bridge will span over the existing ‘Sails’ restaurant and the old mediaeval wall in the Eyre Square Centre. Dublin architects Douglas Wallace have designed the complex which is being built around the existing 17th century Cromwellian wall which is of significant archaeological value.
Galway businessman Gerry Barrett of Edward Holdings was involved in the award winning Kirwan’s Lane development and has also recently applied for planning permission for 96 apartments on a four acre site at Wellpark.
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.
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.
'Next' stop for Edward Square will mark Christmas opening
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.
