€200m shopping complex gets the green light
When completed it will create more than 1,000 retail jobs and represent an investment in excess of €200 million.
The development will be located on a vast site which will take in parts of Ellen Street, Michael Street and Patrick Street.
Belfast developer, Seneil Sharma lodged a planning application with the council last December for the Opera Centre development which will cover 310,000 sq ft.
It has been named in honour of opera legend, Catherine Hayes who was born in Patrick Street and rose from poverty in the early 1800s to become an international opera singer who performed for Queen Victoria in Buckingham Palace.
The development is being compared to the Dundrum shopping centre.
Limerick auctioneer Pat Keaney of Rooney’s negotiated the purchase of more than 40 leases to secure sufficient space for the new centre.
Many buildings will be demolished to make way for the centre, but the birthplace of Catherine Hayes will be retained as an exhibition centre within the new structure.
Denis Leonard, director of Limerick Civic Trust said: “The initial proposal was drastic, but the developers have listened to the people. There are going to be some sacrifices where we will lose some small pieces of heritage, but I believe that a very honest effort has been made to retain as much as possible, that has to be commended.”
The spectacular design concept includes an elevated bridgeway connecting parts of the centre on different streets.
The new Opera Centre will represent the single biggest investment in city centre retailing and business leaders are confident it will help win back customers who are going in increasing numbers to shop in suburban shopping malls.
The new centre will be adjacent to the Arthur’s Quay shopping centre which runs along the northern side of Patrick Street.
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