Plans have been unveiled for a new "knowledge and business quarter" on the former Smithwick's brewery site in Kilkenny. The 13-acre site was bought by Kilkenny local authorities for €2.1million last year off Diageo.
The Smithwick’s brewery operated on the banks of the River Nore for 300 years before moving to Dublin. Diageo are also developing a €3 million Visitor Centre on another part of the old brewery site which is due to open in 2014
The new project will also include a third-level campus as part of the proposed Technological University of the Southeast and a new riverside city centre park as well as retail outlets and residential units.
“The principles of conservation, sustainability, public realm improvement and urban design best practice will govern the development,” says Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Martin Brett. "The site is of strategic importance to the people of Kilkenny and a means for major city centre renewal and regeneration," he then added that there would be "extensive public consultation" on the proposals.
