Developer issues update on Parkway Valley / Horizon Mall project in Limerick

The Parkway Valley site stood incomplete throughout the recession, and it was only in the last five years, the area was flattened for future development

placeholder image — The Parkway Valley site stood incomplete throughout the recession, and it was only in the last five years, the area was flattened for future development

Councillor raised concerns at progress in meeting

MEETINGS are to take place this week on the future of a landmark city site, which has lain largely idle since the Celtic Tiger era.

Local development firm Kirkland Investments, which acquired the Parkway Valley/Horizon Mall site at Dublin Road in 2023, are developing a masterplan for the vast expanse.

“It doesn’t seem like there is a lot happening, but in the background there is,” said a spokesperson for Kirkland, a firm led by Rudi Butler, son of former developer Robert.

“We are very much anxious to move it along as well. Given the size and complexity of the site, we need a lot of people to come together to make it happen,” they added.

In recent times, Kirkland has developed the 1BQ building in the city centre, now home to Verizon, as well as the new suburb by Towlerton, home to a new private hospital, houses and school.

It’s expected a planning application will follow the completion of the masterplan for the land.

“Limerick (Council) want to get the site developed as much as we do. We are a development business. We exist to develop properties that benefit the communities where they are going to be situated. It doesn’t benefit us to slow down on it. We want to get going as quickly as possible,” said the Kirkland spokesperson.

The Parkway Valley site has a storied history.

During the boom years, the developer, the late Liam Carroll had a €100m plan to develop a cinema, shopping centre and ice-rink there.

This project stalled during the economic meltdown, leaving cranes rusting on Limerick’s skyline.

In 2014, Belfast-based developer Suneil Sharma bought the land and unveiled plans for another shopping centre, which was to be named Horizon Mall.

It would have paved the way for Limerick’s first Marks and Spencer store.

Again, this failed to materialise, with strategies promoting city centre retail as opposed to suburban shops preventing this.

In 2022, a €90m plan to develop a hotel, apartments and offices was turned down by An Bord Pleanala.

City East councillor Catherine Slattery, who sought an update on the site at this month’s metropolitan meeting said the land is a “complete eyesore” for local residents and people travelling into Limerick.

She said the area is ideal for housing and creches.

“Things people want and need rather than an area which is fenced off,” she added.