The company behind a long-awaited plan to redevelop the north quays in Waterford City has said that planning permission for the project will be lodged by the end of next month.
Falcon Real Estate Development wants to create the scheme on an eight hectare site which it says will lead to 2,300 direct jobs during development and integrate with the existing city centre.
Construction work on the €350 million overhaul of the riverside site could start by the end of next year, according to Falcon, which is part of the Saudi Arabian Fawaz Alhokair commercial group.
Included in the project will be a 13-storey, 200 bedroom hotel and conference centre; a mixed-use commercial building including tourism, retail, food and beverage businesses; 12,000 square metres of office space; and 300 residential apartments.
The area will also include open, public spaces and it is hoped that a new railway and bus station will be developed to replace the existing Plunkett Station in Waterford.
The north quay site has long been unused and is a designated Strategic Development Zone, with money expected from the Government for basic infrastructure necessary to allow the plan to proceed.
Falcon says the development will be "a major economic boost" for Waterford and the south east region.
