Big plans ahead as multi storey car park opens in Ebrington

The car park is expected to open on Wednesday.

It one of a number of new developments on the site and Ilex says the coming year will see marked changes on the Ebrington site.

This morning ILEX executives toured the site with members of the local press to outline plans for specific buildings.

They revealed how the former Turner Gallery at Ebrington (Buildings 80/81) will house a creative industries hub which will open in Spring 2015. Blick Studios have been appointed to manage the creative hub.

Building 83, a former accommodation block will be transformed into the Ilex offices, It’s expected that Ilex will move into these offices in Spring next year.

Building 4, more commonly known at the Cunningham building is expected to become a bar/ restaurant and has full planning permission for refurbishment for this use.

Tenants for building 70, one of two identical single storey buildings flanking the clock tower are expected to be announced within days. The building dates from c. 1890. It’s expected the building will be used by a tourism or craft business,

Buildings 49, 45 and 46 will house the proposed Maritime Museum and Genealogy Centre.

Meanwhile building 57/59, the Stables has been identified as a craft and allied retail space which set to open in the Spring of 2015.

Building 71, the original Officers’ Mess within the 1841 Star Fort was which formerly the City of Culture offices in 2013 has already been developed and is now the new regional headquarters for the Department of the Environment accommodating 25 staff members.

Ilex say they will be pushing for hotel development at the site which will be brought to market in January 2015.

Mel Higgins, Ilex Chief Executive said the primary objective for the urban regeneration company was the redevelopoment of Ebrington.

“We see Ebrington as an extension of the city centre,” he said.

He said a potential hotel tenant could use an existing building on the site or construct their own.

“A number of hotel operators have been to see the site,” he said.

“A hotel would compliment existing provision in the city.”