€300m Limerick student accommodation development to begin in coming months

€300m Limerick Groody student accommodation development to begin in coming months. Martin White, MD, Whitebox; Minister Lawless; Niall Harrington, Founding Partner, Whitebox and Limerick-based Senator Dee Ryan.Pic. Brian Arthur

€300m Limerick Groody student accommodation development will be the largest ever student accommodation project outside Dublin

Whitebox Developments has today confirmed that it expects to commence work in Q2 on the largest student accommodation programme ever undertaken outside the capital, with its 1,400-bedspace development at Groody, Limerick.

The development, which has been granted planning permission, will bring major relief to student accommodation deficits in Limerick. It will be delivered in two phases, with the first – comprising 724 beds – to be completed by mid-2028. The second phase will be completed 12 months later.

The €300 million investment is believed to illustrate the important role that the private sector can play in delivering modern, high-quality student accommodation across Ireland.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

The announcement follows the publication by Minister James Lawless on Tuesday last of the second National Student Accommodation Strategy, setting out a focused plan to support the delivery of 42,000 student beds by 235. The Strategy outlines practical measures to address affordability, supply and viability, while ensuring future demand is met without additional pressure on the private rental market.

The purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme will be developed on land fronting Groody Road and Dublin Road, Castletroy. The large-scale residential project will comprise five blocks ranging from five to eight storeys.

In addition to the accommodation, the development will include a suite of modern amenities such as a library, canteens, laundry facilities, a student union office, bicycle storage, landscaped courtyards, car and bicycle parking, boundary treatments, roof plant, public lighting and other ancillary works.

In total, approximately 500 people will be employed during construction, with 75 people employed on an ongoing basis at the completed campus.

Welcoming the investment, Minister Lawless said, “The approval of the Whitebox Student Campus is a clear example of how private sector investment can play a pivotal role in addressing Ireland’s student housing challenges. Purpose-built student accommodation projects like this are essential to expanding housing options and supporting our higher education institutions. We commend Groody Developments Ltd for their commitment to Limerick and look forward to seeing more partnerships that deliver for students and communities alike.

“I warmly welcome the 1,400-student bed development. With student numbers continuing to grow, this private sector–funded project represents a vital step forward in ensuring our learners have access to safe, modern, and well-connected accommodation. This investment in student housing is a win for the entire Limerick academic community. MIC students, like those at UL, will benefit directly from this accommodation.”

Martin White, Managing Director of Whitebox, said: “This is a hugely important investment for Limerick, and we are proud to be delivering a project that will make a real, lasting difference for students, families, and the entire region. The scale of this development reflects our confidence in Limerick’s future as a thriving academic and economic hub, and our belief that students deserve access to quality, affordable, modern accommodation.”

Mr White said that the project complements other major Whitebox commitments over the past year, including the state-of-the-art cancer centre in Ballygrennan, which will be operated in a joint venture by UPMC and Bon Secours. “Work has now commenced on this project, which will bring world-class oncology services to the Mid-West. Together, these developments show the breadth of what meaningful, long-term investment can deliver for this region.”

Whitebox also last year commenced a three-year sponsorship of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship. “Investing in people, health, and opportunity is central to our purpose, and Limerick continues to be an exceptional place to do exactly that,” he added.