Hi-tech hub to create 1,000 jobs within year

The developer of one of the country’s single largest open-plan office blocks said he is confident it will help deliver 1,000 jobs within a year.

John Cleary, the man behind the massive €70 million City Gate Park development in Mahon, Cork, said the “hi-tech city in the suburbs” has the potential to become a world-class software and IT hub — like Dublin’s IFSC did in the global financial service’s sector.

“Cork is competing with many other European cities to attract large-scale foreign direct investment,” Mr Cleary said.

“Multi-national companies want large floor plate, energy efficient offices with important amenities such as restaurants and leisure facilities like a pool and gym. We’ve also put the 600-plus car parking spaces underground which allows us to create carefully landscaped outdoor communal areas.

“It’s the environment multi-nationals want — a hi-tech city in the suburbs where you’re forming a business community, rather than just a place to work.”

About 150 construction workers are on site to get the 265,000 sq ft development finished by July.

It will consist of three buildings, one of which has been acquired by US technology giant Quest Software for their new European headquarters.

The company is moving its 200 or so staff from the nearby City Gate development into this purpose-built block.

The remaining two buildings are linked at the second and third floors to form the largest single open-plan office ever built in Cork, with space for over 1,500 people.

The offices look down on a spectacular glass-ceilinged indoor cityscape which will have high street shops, cafes and restaurants. One of the development’s key features will be a state-of-the-art 22,000 sq ft gym, a 20 metre swimming pool, aerobic and toning studios.

Mr Cleary is modelling City Gate Park on his nearby €100 million City Gate office development, which was completed about four years ago and where 1,200 people work.

As well as VHI Swiftcare and HIQA, it is home to US multi-national software companies McAfee, Solar Winds, Big Fish Games and Aruba Networks.

Mr Cleary said their decisions to locate in Mahon proves that the region, and City Gate, has the ability to attract top-class, long-term investment.

“We are now actively engaged in negotiations with other US multinationals who see the benefits of our technology hub and the type of facilities we are creating,” he said.

City Gate Park is already 40% occupied before its completion and Mr Cleary said he expects further positive jobs announcements. And with the slowdown in construction of such large-scale office developments, Mr Cleary said Cork is ideally positioned to capitalise on what he predicted would be a national shortage of suitable office space.

But he said direct transatlantic routes from Cork Airport, perhaps on a bi-weekly basis, as well as new links to major European cities, would enhance the city’s attractiveness.