THE €80million One Opera Square project saw a ‘topping out’ ceremony held this week, having reached roof level in the construction process on time and on budget.
The 106,000sq/ft landmark office space is set to be an employment hub for 1,000 people. It is hoped the development will set a new standard of workspace in the Mid West, the newly-established company created to oversee its construction stated.
The building is being developed by social impact investment company Treaty Stone Partnership, a joint venture between Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
Limerick Twenty Thirty is a Limerick City and County subsidiary established to transform key strategic sites in Limerick into anchors for enterprise and investment development.
The company also has a service-level agreement with the Department of Integration to assist in the delivery of modular accommodation solutions on state-owned sites for international protection applicants in an administrative capacity.
Speaking at the topping out ceremony this week, chairman of Treaty Stone Partnership, Barry O’Sullivan, said that the development will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the prominent city centre block and be an international model for “impact investing”.
It will also be the first commercial building in the Mid West to achieve its level of sustainable design accreditation.
When completed in April 2025, the building will comprise over 106,000sq/ft of office space across five floors.
It will also feature three restaurant/retail units at ground level.
Work on the wider 3.7-acre landmark Opera Square commercial development – one of the largest city centre build projects undertaken in Ireland outside of Dublin – started three years ago and is targeted for completion in 2027.
The programme so far has involved the largest demolition and enabling works undertaken in Limerick, including navigating delicate works around retaining 16 of 18 Georgian buildings in the area, as well as archaeological features, including old walls, caverns, and vaults.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor John Moran said that One Opera Square is a testament to Limerick’s vision and ambition”.
“This development not only sets the highest benchmark for office space in the Mid West, it also underscores our commitment to sustainable and impactful urban regeneration.”
Treaty Stone Partnership chairman Barry O’Sullivan added that the project sets “a new standard of commercial office space for Limerick City and will enable us to compete at the highest level for inward investment, in turn continuing the ongoing revitalisation of the city centre”.
David Conway, CEO of Limerick Twenty Thirty said that “the team here is pushing the boundaries of excellence with One Opera Square so that Limerick has something at a level that it never had before”.
The project is being built by main contractor Sisk and was designed by Coady Architects.
Developers home the project will enable occupiers to achieve their net zero carbon goals by being one of the most sustainable workplaces in the world, using 60 per cent less energy than the average building.
On completion, the wider Opera Square will include a landmark 14-storey office building, a world class civic plaza, a new city library, a hotel, and apartments with retail and restaurant units at ground floor level.
The new buildings and civic plaza will be integrated with some existing Georgian buildings, which will also be refurbished.
