Athlone town council has given the go-ahead for a EUR 120 million (£82.7 million) shopping centre in the centre of the Republic.
The Athlone Towncentre complex will include more than 177,600 sq ft (16,500 sq m) of commercial space, including a 45,370 sq ft (4,215 sq m) anchor store and 32 mall units from 280 sq ft (25 sq m) to 16,360 sq ft (1,520 sq m). The centre will also include 211 apartments and 850 parking spaces.
Developer John O'Sullivan assembled the 6.4 acre (2.6 ha) site after purchasing an adjoining hotel in 2002.
The project has to be completed by December 2004 to qualify for tax incentives under Ireland's Urban Renewal scheme. Previously, O'Sullivan completed the 150,700 sq ft (14,000 sq m) Manor Mills centre in Maynooth, Co Kildare, and is using the same design team at Athlone.
Dublin-based Harrington Bannon, which is letting the scheme, said that although rent levels have yet to be fixed, negotiations are under way with prospective tenants.
Leading UK and Irish retailers, including HMV, H Samuel, TK Maxx, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Next and Sony, are reported to be interested in the centre. Some 269,000 people live within a 40-mile radius of Athlone.
The town has two other shopping centres: the Golden Island complex, which is due to be extended, and the old Athlone Shopping Centre, which is set for a revamp.
O'Sullivan said Athlone is poised to become the retail shopping centre of the Irish Midlands.
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