The first major build project has been delivered under Limerick's historic 20-year action plan.

'Limerick 2030 an Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick' sets out a clear framework that integrates economic development with spatial planning.

A milestone was celebrated on the action plan with the official opening of Gardens International.

The €17.6 million build was completed over 18 months, mixing the architecture of the early 19th century Roches Hanging Gardens, which included roof-top gardens of exotic fruits; the Mercantile Building; the former General Post Office developed there a century later and a new build to the rear.

Limerick Twenty Thirty commenced the development in 2017 at the site, which stood half built for almost a decade after work had stalled mid-flight following the economic crash.

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Speaking at the launch, Mayor of the City and County Council James Collins said: "It's a project that is a motif for a new Limerick. We've built the very best because we want to attract the best. It's a build that respectfully and brilliantly merges old and new. It has raised the bar, created a remarkable new structure and standard here in the centre of Limerick. And I want to thank the elected members of Limerick City and County Council who took the leap of faith to originally back the Limerick Twenty Thirty concept to deliver jobs for Limerick through projects such as this development."

Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council Conn Murray added: "Limerick Twenty Thirty was one of a number of ambitious outputs from our Limerick 2030 Economic and Spatial Plan unveiled in 2013. We identified a number of key deliverables in that, including creating 12,000 jobs over the lifetime of the plan. We've already achieved that in Limerick in the five years since and Limerick Twenty Thirty is about ensuring we continue to build on that."

He continued: "With Gardens now complete and heading fast for full occupancy, we move onto the Opera site. This week Limerick City and County Council will lodge a planning application on behalf of Limerick Twenty Thirty for Opera, which will be the single most important project for this region in decades and includes a number of iconic new buildings, not least the new Revenue building. The 46,000 sq metre site will, on top of this magnificent development unveiled today, bring Limerick to a new level, enabling it to compete on an international stage like never before."

(CM)