Monumental €130 million transformation of former Waterford Crystal site unveiled
Morgan Stanley, ISIF, Peter McLoughlin, SETU, Noel Frisby Snr, Frisby, Sarah Hickey, ISIF, and Noel Frisby Jnr at the launch of Glassworks Building One on the former Waterford Crystal site in Waterford. Photo: Patrick Browne
The former Waterford Crystal manufacturing site in Waterford city is to be transformed to form part of the country’s first co-located university enterprise quarter in a €130 million initiative.
Unveiled today at a media briefing was an overview of the 37-acre ‘Glassworks’ site, which will feature world-class offices located beside South East Technological University’s (SETU) academic and research facilities.
Press and shareholders were informed at the briefing that it is expected to eventually have capacity for up to 6,000 employees.
Planning permission has also been granted for a 582-student bed development on adjacent lands.
It is 16 years since crystal manufacturing ended at the Kilbarry site and the new development aims to take inspiration from successful international university enterprise quarters, such as the University of Nottingham’s Innovation Park and the Cortex innovation district in St Louis, Missouri.
SETU President Professor Veronica Campbell said that the Glassworks’ launch is a defining moment for the region and Ireland as a whole.
“Glassworks will play a pivotal role in Ireland’s knowledge economy where students, startups and researchers can collaborate, test ideas and create the next generation of ground-breaking products, technologies and businesses,” she said.
The initial 80,000sqft flagship office building is expected to open by the end of the year. It will have capacity for 800 employees and will be Waterford’s first purpose-built, BER A3 rated office building that meets LEED Gold and WiredScore Gold standards.
More on this breaking story will be available at waterford-news.ie
