Limerick’s inner city to get €175m boost

A FORMER rugby player has set magnificent goals for the development of Limerick’s inner city.

Work recently commenced on a 100-bedroom four-star hotel and retail complex on the site of the old Savoy cinema.

And the city’s waterfront is being harnessed as a magnificent vista for twin office/apartment towers costing €75 million.

Fordmount Property group, which is behind these massive €175m projects, is headed by Michael Daly.

The company has also purchased the Castletroy Park Hotel where it plans to develop a retirement village.

The 46-year-old former Bohemians wing forward said the inner city projects will transform the appearance of Limerick along the Shannon.

The first phase of the Riverpoint project is nearing completion.

The 15 floors face the river with a spectacular glass front.

The ground and first floor will include a bar and restaurant. There will be 13 floors of office space and 25 apartments.

The second phase of the Riverpoint project will see the demolition of the old St Munchin’s House, dubbed the city’s ugliest building.

This will be replaced by 100 apartments, two of which will be luxury penthouse residences.

Each apartment will have a river view.

Mr Daly said: “The brief to our architects Burke, Kennedy & Doyle was to design a landmark building with the river having a dominant influence.”

As up to 500 people will be employed in the Riverpoint buildings, a creche and pharmacy has also been included in the design.

“The creche will be mainly geared to accommodate the children of workers in Riverpoint,” said Mr Daly.

He said they had to look abroad for the very high specification glass used.

The bar and restaurant would not be late night venues as they wanted to emphasise the residential nature of the Riverpoint twin towers which are built on a 25,000 sq ft site.

Mr Daly said the development would bring renewed focus on the city centre.

He said: “The pedestrianisation of Bedford Row will be a huge boost for the hotel and retail complex which will cover 60,000 square feet on three levels which we are putting up on the Savoy cinema site.”

While many projects had been proceeding in the suburbs, Mr Daly said the city centre’s potential was not being fully capitalised on. “It is great to see the developments in the suburbs, but Limerick needs a vibrant city centre.”

He said they would retain the four-star Castletroy Park Hotel.

The retirement village will include 45 bungalow homes, apartments, a rest home, medical centre, pharmacy, bank, commercial units and tennis courts.

Residents will also have the use of the hotel facilities.

Fordmount has concluded an agreement with Mowlem Health Care to take over the retirement village.

Fordmount paid €25m for the hotel and grounds and Mr Daly said a further €100m will be spent on developing the village.