Planning permission has been granted for a major new student accommodation development near the University of Limerick.
The new complex, named Whitebox Student Campus has been highly anticipated by students. It will be located on land fronting the Groody Road and Dublin Road in Castletroy, close to the university campus. The development, by Groody Developments Ltd will provide 1,400 students with accommodation, spread across 196 apartments. These will be spread across five different blocks, ranging from five to eight storeys high.
Construction is set to take place in two phases and is expected to take up to seven years to complete, with works planned to commence in early 2026.
Block A will be eight storeys high and will contain 28 apartments with 224 beds.
Block B will stand at seven storeys and include 52 apartments, providing 400 beds.
Block C will be six storeys high, with 51 apartments and 355 beds.
Block D will also rise to six storeys, including 32 apartments and 211 beds.
Block E, which will be the shortest block at five storeys, will be made up of 33 apartments and 210 beds.
Given the nationwide shortage of student housing, future students are likely to welcome this news.
What’s included?
The Whitebox Student Campus will include a range of shared facilities available to all residents, such as, but not limited to:
- A student library
- A student union space
- A gym
- A laundry room
- Two canteens
Vehicles will access the site from the Groody Road, including pedestrian access to the Dublin Road and plans for cycle paths. Limerick City Council approved the project, subject to 23 planning conditions. These include a rule that the buildings may only be used as student housing during the academic year. Groody Developments Ltd has also been required to contribute over €1.4m to support local infrastructure and facilities.
For more information on the project, you can visit https://whiteboxstudentcampus.ie/