Micheál Martin will officially open the Glassworks Waterford development, marking a significant milestone for the region’s economic growth.
The Taoiseach is due to open “Building One” at the new Glassworks campus, located on the site of the former Waterford Crystal factory on the Cork Road.
Landmark Development for Waterford
The €43 million building forms part of Ireland’s first co-located university enterprise quarter.
Developers from Frisby Construction Limited constructed the 80,000 square foot facility to accommodate up to 800 employees.
This milestone comes almost 20 years after the closure of the historic Waterford Crystal manufacturing plant.
The wider Glassworks site spans 37 acres and sits next to South East Technological University (SETU) academic and research facilities.
Planners expect the full campus to support up to 6,000 jobs when completed.
Boost for Jobs, Research and Innovation
Project leaders say the co-location of businesses alongside SETU will drive high-quality employment, research and education across Waterford and the wider southeast.
They designed the campus to encourage collaboration between industry and academia, creating an innovation hub in the region.
The Glassworks development draws inspiration from international projects such as the University of Nottingham Innovation Park and the Cortex innovation district in St Louis.
Strong Early Interest from Tenants
Developers expect more than half of Building One to be occupied by next month.
The building has been delivered through a joint venture between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and Waterford-based developer Frisby.
Healthcare provider Veonet Ireland has already confirmed plans to open a day-unit in the former Waterford Crystal showroom space within the building.
First of Its Kind in Ireland
The Glassworks development campus represents the first development of its kind in Ireland, bringing enterprise and higher education together in one location.
Supporters believe the project will play a key role in shaping the future of Waterford’s economy and positioning the region as a hub for innovation and investment.
The opening of Building One marks the first step in what is expected to become one of the most significant regeneration projects in the southeast.
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