CONSTRUCTION on Limerick’s biggest ever commercial development is about to get underway, with the driving of piles to support to the 450,000 sq ft of buildings and public realm spaces set to start in the coming weeks.
Less than a month after Limerick Twenty Thirty announced the signing of contracts for both the basement works and the development of one of the landmark builds on the site, One Opera Square, contractor John Sisk & Son will roll on to the site to start the work that will underpin the entire development.
A team of 20 construction workers and two piling rigs are gearing up for the initial basement piling programme, with employment on the site due to rise to around 200 by year end.
After the completion of the two-year site demolition and enabling works, construction on the new City Library, the 14-storey OPW Building and public realm spaces will start in the first half of 2024.
The basement and One Opera Square contract, which will take two years to complete, is broken into two stages. The first is the development of the four-acre basement itself, which will be followed the construction of the One Opera Square building.
The basement will be the floor plate for:
- A 14-storey landmark building at Bank Place.
- The six-storey One Opera Square building.
- A five-storey building on the corner of Patrick Street and Ellen Street comprising a hotel and retail units.
- 16 restored Georgian buildings.
- The new City library.
- The refurbished Granary Building on Michael Street.
Limerick Twenty Thirty chief executive David Conway said that a code of construction practice aimed at enhancing the impact of the construction and leaving a positive legacy, is being adopted in the works programme. A liaison officer has been appointed to ensure the public are kept informed on upcoming works and to act as the point of contact with the public on any issues that may arise.
“There will be some level of impact but the code of practice our contractors have signed up to means that this will be as little as possible given the scale of the development,” Mr Conway explained.
Measures will include monitoring of construction activity and its impact on the environment, with noise, vibration and dust monitors set up around the perimeter of the site to ensure compliance.
A Waste Management Strategy is also being implemented to minimise waste to landfill.
