Galway City Tribune January 12, 2001
Eight-acre shopping complex in the pipeline for Wellpark
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.
The planning application for the 200,000 sq. ft. retail and office space at what is currently known as Corbett’s Yard has been lodged with Galway Corporation by Edward Holdings, whose principal is city businessman and developer, Gerry Barrett.
Edward Holdings also developed the Edward Square shopping centre which was opened last summer and have employed the same architect, Douglas Wallace for this latest project.
The Wellpark development on eight acres also includes 94 residential units which received planning permission last week and construction work is due to start on that phase at the end of next month.
Phase 2 of the development is the shopping centre and office space with 370 carparking spaces and once approved for planning, construction work is expected to last for 18 months.
Shops in the Wellpark centre will include a large furnishing outlet which will probably be a well-known national chain which will be the anchor tenant, a large toystore and a number of DIY and specialist shops. It will also include a restaurant.
It is believed that the existing tenants at Corbett’s Yard will continue to trade in this new development.The entrance to the centre will be from the Dublin Road though another entrance is also planned, as is a pedestrianised entrance from the Monivea Road.
Work on clearing highly-dangerous asbestos roofing has already started on existing units.
It is expected that the planning process will take up to 15 months and tat construction work on the retail and office units won’t start until the beginning of next year.
Talks are already taking place with the possible tenant, according to a spokesman for Edward Holdings, and there is going to be a big effort made to attract high tech companies to fill the offices.
When the development is completed and fully operational, it is expected to provide employment for up to 500 people – 300 in the retail end and 240 in the offices. About 100 people will be employed during the 18 month construction and this wage bill alone is expected to total £2 million.
The project architect for Douglas Wallace, Gerry Hand told the City Tribune that the buildings would be aesthetically designed in such a way as to allow a lot of daylight into the scheme and that it would be equally eye-catching at night-time thanks to a special lighting effect.
“In our approach to the project,” he continued, “we have had due regard to the sensitivities of surrounding residential uses and careful attention has been given to minimise the potential impact of scale and traffic conditions.”
By Bernie Nilatharta
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.
Eight-acre shopping complex in the pipeline for Wellpark
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.
