Project Overview

Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick

The Crescent Centre was one of Ireland’s first shopping centres when the original building was constructed in 1970s. Burke- Kennedy Doyle were architects for the original centre as well as the last 2 major extension projects. Phase 2 and 3 involved the extension of the centre by 14,000m² and 8,000m² respectively to create the largest and most diverse retail offer in Limerick city.

These two phases involved the provision of a new double height, glazed mall environment with superior double height units along the length of the extended Garryowen mall. The new units with a combination of mezzanine and full first floor trading facilitated the arrival of major European fashion retailers at the centre including H&M, Zara and Next. All of the existing mall entrances were replaced with new high quality glazed entrance atria as part of the upgrade.

The Crescent Centre has now been designated as a Town Centre in the County Development plan by virtue of the range of activities including the Council offices now located on site.

Crescent Shopping Centre – City Mall Extension, New Mall Rooflights and Mall Entrances to original Centre

The fourth major phase of development at the centre was completed in 2018 and involved the introduction of new barrel vaulted rooflights over each of the four malls in the original part of the centre. The intention was to enhance daylight and provide a feeling of height and generous space in the older mall areas bringing their aesthetic in line with the rooflights in the Phase 2&3 extensions. The solution significantly enhances the user experience in these areas while reducing the requirement for artificial lighting and the centres carbon footprint as a result.

New glazed mall entrance lobbies were also added on the ends of three malls along with an additional 2,600m² of retail, café and restaurant space at the end of the City Mall. These outward facing restaurants overlook a paved public space which has become the location for a thriving farmers market on certain days.

All work was undertaken while the centre stayed live and trading. New steel portals were constructed, glazed and weathered above the existing mall roofs and sections of the old roof were then removed each night.