Wexford Retail Centre
Architect Newspaper Marketing Article, Monday, 6th March 2006

Deerland Construction Limited have proposed to develop a mixed use scheme with a total floor space of 119,342m²(1,284,628ft²) at Townparks (off Trinity Street) on a prime waterfront location to the south-east of Wexford Town centre adjacent the southern end of Main Street and the newly extended Quayfront.

The proposals include the extension of the existing sea wall to reclaim some 2.1hectares of land, increasing the site area to 6.6hectares.

As a result the proposed development will be surrounded by sea to the west, north, and east, and to the south by Wexford Town.

This area of Wexford was previously occupied by the Wexford Electronics factory and a meat factory but has been lying derelict for some years.

The site though greatly underused at present occupies a key position adjacent to the existing town centre and is excellently placed to make a significant contribution to the regeneration and revitalisation of Wexford Town centre.

The redevelopment of this site will greatly enhance the profile of Wexford and will build upon and consolidate Wexford’s image as a premier tourist destination in line with long established activities such as the internationally renowned Wexford Opera Festival.

Award winning Urban Design Architects, Anthony Reddy Associates, who are currently involved with other similar regeneration projects such as McDonagh Junction in Kilkenny, Westgate at Heuston Station and previously Temple Bar West End and Custom House Square in Dublin Docklands have master planned the development.

The design provides a defined termination to the southern end of Wexford Town and its quays by the provision of “Landmark” buildings to the two outer corners of the site.

Equally the design seeks to articulate the foreshore edge of the site, as viewed from the sea, the river and the existing Wexford quays and provide a defined public realm at the waters edge with a series of pedestrian streets, public squares and plazas, permeating through the site, and linking the proposed development with Wexford Town.

Anthony Reddy Associates have populated the ground floor of the development with bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, hotel and cinema uses to ensure life is brought and maintained in the new streets, new public squares and new foreshore plaza and boardwalk areas.

The development proposes a 13-storey hotel providing 282 bedrooms with associated leisure, conference, restaurant and bar facilities, and 266 apartments, in six blocks ranging from seven to nine storeys in height, enjoying panoramic views over the expanse of Wexford Harbour.

A single 14-storey tower block, with a residents' only gym on the thirteenth and fourteenth floors, is located on the eastern side of the site with views to Rosslare Harbour.

In addition Deerland Construction Limited's proposal includes high tech offices, restaurants, bar, a 6-screen cinema complex, a multi-purpose community hall and childcare facilities accessible to the general public, recreational facilities, and a new retail centre with associated food court.

A multi-storey car park providing 1,844 spaces is located above the retail element in addition 157 surface car parking spaces proposed.