Closed University of Galway building to be refurbished and reopened
It has not been used for academic purposes since 2011
Plans are underway to transform the old mill at Nun’s Island into a School of Law for University of Galway.
The building, which is owned by the University, has been part of the area since the early 1800s.
Known as the McLaughlin building and listed as a protected structure, it has not been in use since 2011 despite its refurbishment in the 1980s.
The key changes in the plans are the extension to the top of the building which will see a glass and steel exterior.
In more positive news for students, a state of the art 345 bed student accommodation development for Galway city will officially open for college goers this year.
Elkstone alongside COADY Architects confirmed that eight-storey Queen Street Place will be ready for students in September and will be operated by the UK company Mezzino.
Joe Bergin who is the chief executive of Elkstone said the opening would be a ’direct response’ to the shortage of student accommodation available in Ireland.
He said: ‘Delivering 345 purpose-built student homes in the heart of Galway is a proud moment for Elkstone.’
The complex will include a gym and fitness studio as well as rooftop terraces, study rooms and even a cinema room alongside 24 hour security.
The company said Queen Street Place will ‘play a meaningful role in relieving pressure from the student bed deficit and housing crisis’ and that ‘student accommodation sits at the acute end of that shortage.’
A second Elkstone project for student accommodation is also underway with a further 240 beds set to be delivered in September 2027.
Director of Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, who invested €75 million into the project, Nick Ashmore said: ‘This is a good example of ISIF’s co-investment strategy at work, in which it can act as a catalyst to attract international co-investment capital to support the construction of new accommodation in one of Ireland’s leading cities.
‘ISIF’s partnership with Harrison Street, announced in 2023, aims to increase the supply of available student accommodation in regional cities to meet the housing needs of students and support the growth of Ireland’s universities.
‘We are delighted to support the continued collaboration between Harrison Street, Activate and Elkstone as together they deliver on new regional student accommodation.
He added: ‘The delivery of this development is aligned with ISIF's ambitious €500m programme to support regeneration in Irelands 5 regional cities, whilst also making a positive contribution to our objective of delivering over 25,000 new homes by 2030. We look forward to seeing the development on Queen Street, Galway progress as part of that work.’