Galway City Council today (3 June 2025) briefed Elected Members on the latest independent valuations of Crown Square on the Monivea Road, the site of its future civic offices.
The building, acquired in December 2022, has seen its valuation decline from €36 million in early 2022 to €28-29 million as of May 2025. However, over its 40-year life cycle, the property's value is expected to exceed the original €36 million purchase price.
Commissioned by Galway City Council, valuers Avison Young and Power Property informed Elected Members that the decline reflects wider trends in the commercial property market, including rising interest rates, post-COVID changes to office demand, increased construction costs, and global economic uncertainty.
Despite the valuation drop, Council officials reaffirmed that Crown Square remains the most cost-effective solution to house Galway City Council.
The move will avoid a combined estimated cost of €107 million by consolidating four existing office sites into one. Refurbishing and expanding the current City Hall on College Road—which is no longer fit for purpose—was projected to cost €69 million. In addition, a further €38 million would have been required to temporarily relocate staff to suitable office space during the works.
The new energy-efficient civic offices at Crown Square will meet NZEB standards and LEED Gold certification, aligning with Galway City Council's climate and sustainability goals. The building will feature modern facilities, including upgraded AV systems, better public access, and improved space for staff and civic events. Staff are expected to move in by Q3 2026.
Today’s in-camera briefing, held due to commercial sensitivities around the procurement process, also updated Members on the next steps. Four contractors have been shortlisted for the fit-out tender, which is set to be issued in June, with a return expected by August.
The move follows years of planning, beginning in 2017, when a Value for Money report found Galway City Council significantly over-capacity compared to other local authorities. A full assessment of long-term office needs led to the decision to purchase a move-in-ready space at Crown Square, seen as the quickest and most economical option.
The new headquarters is strategically located just five minutes from the motorway and will benefit from ongoing transport upgrades under the Galway Transport Strategy. A public information campaign is planned ahead of the 2026 move, alongside ongoing staff and union engagement.
