Minister and Mayor welcome OPW building contract award and commencement at Limerick’s Opera Square

14-storey development will be Limerick’s tallest and built to top international sustainability standards

Monday 26 January, 2026: Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran today confirmed that work on the OPW’s 14-storey Landmark Office Building at Opera Square in the heart of Limerick City, is to commence in the coming weeks.

Minister Moran also confirmed today that John Sisk and Sons have been awarded the contract by Limerick Twenty Thirty (LTT) for the works following a competitive tender process.

This construction phase of the project represents an investment of approximately €70 million by the Government and will be a key stimulus for the wider ongoing Limerick Twenty Thirty programme to transform the economic, physical and social landscape of the city and region.

The development, which will overlook the Abbey River at Bank Place, will accommodate the Revenue Commissioners Office and other government departments and will be Limerick’s and the Mid-West’s tallest building.

The OPW has contracted Limerick Twenty Thirty to deliver the project on its behalf. This is the first use of this delivery model, reflecting confidence in LTT’s track record, which has seen it recently complete the site wide basement works for the campus and the One Opera Square Building in a joint venture with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.

Limerick Twenty Thirty is a special purpose company owned by Limerick City and County Council that develops key strategic sites in Limerick to drive economic growth, create jobs, and revitalize the city.

The OPW building will take 30 months to complete, with fit-out to follow. Up to 300 workers will be employed during the construction phase. As a hub for government departments in the Mid-West, the office block will consolidate up to 1,500 civil servants - 950 at any one time in a hybrid working model – in one location in high-quality accommodation while reducing the number of buildings in the OPW portfolio.

It will deliver 100,000 sq. ft. of office space in a building that will achieve the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standard. NZEB is a standard achieved by high-performance buildings with very low energy consumption and in this case, all energy needs will be met by renewables. The building will, therefore, advance the State’s objectives of meeting its energy efficiency and emissions targets, Minister Moran said.

“I am delighted to be here today to announce the appointment of John Sisk and Son and look forward to the commencement of what is an important project for the OPW, Limerick and the wider Mid-West region. This substantial investment in Limerick clearly demonstrates this government’s strong commitment to balanced regional development,” the Minister stated.

“This new landmark building will play a key role in the modernisation of OPW’s portfolio and its strategic goal to create more agile, digitally-enabled workspaces that will meet the current and future operational needs of our client Departments and achieve value for money.

Retaining civil servants in a city centre location will make a major contribution to advancing the urban regeneration goals of Limerick City and County Council and Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC.

Furthermore, as a high performance building with low energy consumption the building underlines the OPW’s commitment to helping advance sustainable solutions, transitioning to a better quality, low carbon portfolio and maximising Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions.”

Mayor of Limerick John Moran commented, “Driving the Opera Square development has been one of those priorities that keeps me awake at night. Now, I feel, we have real momentum and I welcome today’s announcement. It’s a clear signal of continued Government support for Limerick and our future.

An office right in the heart of the city for up to 1,500 public sector workers is a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to Limerick’s role in balanced regional development. This is the latest in the line of a number of positive developments for our city, including the advancement of flood relief works, the progress of new public realm plans, the recent HIQA report and the continued repurposing of derelict buildings.

It shows that we in Limerick are turning words and thoughts into action. I intend to continue to lobby for the Government’s support for one more piece, namely funding for our City Library across the plaza, as outlined in the More for Limerick mayoral programme.”

Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery said, “Today’s progress signals a real boost for Limerick. The new OPW building will bring people, activity, and investment back into the city centre, supporting local businesses and strengthening the heart of our city. It’s a tangible example of Limerick’s renewal and the impact that strategic projects can have on our city’s future.”

Chair of Limerick Twenty Thirty James Collins said, “When we set out on the Opera Square journey, the 14 storey Landmark Building was undeniably one of the most ambitious and exciting elements of the plans. Advancing it, as we are, confirms Limerick’s ambition to build a world-class urban core and Limerick Twenty Thirty’s capacity to deliver on that ambition.

Having this hub of Government departments in the city centre is a key boost for the wider Opera Square and Limerick Twenty Thirty project. We are grateful to the OPW, Minister Moran and everyone along the way who made this commitment happen and for their vote of confidence in Limerick Twenty Thirty to deliver the project.”

Notes

The project is being delivered by Limerick Twenty Thirty (LTT) which is a 100%-owned subsidiary of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC). LTT will be the developer for the ‘Shell and Core’ (structure, facades, roof and primary building services).

Other projects in the LTT portfolio include the already completed and multi-award-winning Gardens International building on Henry Street and Cleeves Riverside Quarter, with planning permission lodged for the first phase of this mixed used student and residential development.

OPW will act as the Approving Authority and Sponsoring Agency for this element of the works and has put in place a Development Agreement with LTT, which will in turn have a contractual relationship with the main contractor.

Background

Further to a Government Decision of in December 2014, it was agreed in principle that the OPW enter into an agreement with Limerick City & County Council (LCCC) to relocate the Revenue Commissioners to a proposed new office building to be developed as part of the urban regeneration project at the Opera Site in Limerick City.

Following further government support for the project in 2022, Cabinet confirmed its position to proceed with this project in April 2025.