A proposal to build the largest residential shopping complex project outside of Co Dublin was given the go-ahead today by An Bord Pleanála.
Gallico Developments will build a new town centre mall in the heart of Athlone in Co Westmeath alongside a 160-bedroom hotel and 160 private apartments.
The project will create 400 jobs at the construction stage, and the developers say the complex will create 950 jobs when it is up and running.
The project will be located on a site between the Prince of Wales Hotel and the old Royal Hoey hotel on the Leinster side of the River Shannon bridge in Athlone, and will cost €120 million to construct.
The shopping centre will have over 60 shops with two main anchor tenants - one of which is believed to be Marks & Spencer.
Gallico Developments director John O'Sullivan says work will commence with six weeks and the centre will be open within two years.
