Galway City Council has appointed a contractor to carry out the fit out of its new administrative headquarters at Crown Square on the Monivea Road, with work due to begin in the coming weeks.
The local authority has drawn down a €15 million loan to fund the core fit out programme, which is scheduled to run for 43 weeks. The Council expects the first staff to move into the state-of-the-art building in late 2026, with full occupation planned for early 2027.
The development at Crown Square will bring Galway City Council staff together in a single location for the first time. The Council says the move will support more efficient working arrangements and improve services for the public.
The move will consolidate four existing office sites and avoid the estimated €69 million cost of refurbishing and extending the current City Hall, which is no longer fit for purpose. Galway City Council will retain its original four-acre headquarters site at College Road. The land, close to the city centre, is to be included in a master plan for future mixed-use development, with potential to generate funding to support council services.
The new energy-efficient civic offices at Crown Square will meet NZEB standards and LEED Platinum 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.
Chief Executive Leonard Cleary said the start of the fit out marks a significant step in the project.
He added, “Appointing the contractor following a full procurement process allows us to move into the final phase of delivering a modern workspace for the organisation. By bringing our staff to one central location, Crown Square will strengthen collaboration and support better services for the people of Galway City.”
“I want to acknowledge the work of staff across the organisation and the Heads of Function Team, whose ongoing commitment has driven the project to this stage,” said Mr. Cleary. “We look forward to seeing the building take shape over the coming months as we prepare for occupation in late 2026.”
The Council has established three workstreams to oversee the fit out, the move to the new building, and the organisational change required to support staff, Elected Members and customers during the transition. Staff site visits to the Crown Square development were facilitated at the beginning of February.
Regular updates will be provided to the public as the project progresses.
