Edward Square Shopping Centre, Galway
A landmark development in Galway’s retail heart, Edward Square dramatically transformed Galway’s retail offer when it opened in April 2000. Situated in the centre of Galway’s medieval system a mixed-use scheme comprising some 7,900m2 of retail, 343m2 of office space and 38no. residential units. The scheme is anchored by prominent Irish and international retailers.
This is a three storey RC framed shopping centre development, with two and three storey apartments of masonry, timber and feature steelwork constructed on the top floor. The client had, over a number of years acquired a number of sites and properties in the centre of Galway behind the existing Eyre Square shopping Centre. The largest of these sites, called Corbett’s Yard, occupied an area under which a section of the original medieval city wall was located. Extensive archaeological investigations were therefore required to satisfy statutory requirements.
Whilst the main structure was formed in a regular grid, the enclosed nature of the site and the relative level of the adjacent sites resulted in quite complicated retaining walls and ramps. The typical form of construction was solid concrete slabs spanning onto RC beams, with steelwork framing used in some areas and load bearing blockwork used in the apartments. Stability was provided by a number of in-situ R.C. lift and stair cores.
The connections into the existing Eyre Square Centre were particularly complicated in that the upper connection involved the construction of a 16m span footbridge erected within the existing Atrium of the centre, with very limited working space. The lower connection involved tunnelling under the existing façade through reinforced concrete foundations and granite rock. Extensive investigations were carried out prior to commencing any modifications to the existing buildings.
As part of some of the purchase agreements the client undertook to extend and modify two adjacent buildings. This involved extensive alterations and extensions to existing buildings and phasing of works so not to affect daily trading.
Client:
Edward Holdings
Start/End Date:
1998 – 2000
Contract Value:
€32M
Role:
Structural & Civil Engineers
Key Structural Features:
- Confined site containing medieval city wall
- Connection to existing buildings
- Phasing of works required due to existing tenants
Find out more about our Structural Engineering services.