[dropcap] T[/dropcap]he building of a new student accommodation complex in Dublin is set to create 650 new construction jobs.
The new student accommodation is already under construction on Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 and is set to be completed in Summer 2018, with students being able to move in in Autumn 2018.
DIT students will benefit greatly from the construction of the 591 bedrooms, with DIT locations at Bolton Street, Grangegorman and Mountjoy Square all within walking distance of the complex.
Once construction is complete, a further 74 ongoing jobs will be added on as the 591-bedroom complex will also include a gym, games room and cinema.
The complex will be operated by Dubai-based Global Student Accommodation, which plans to invest €250m into student accommodation over the next 5 years.
This long-term investment is badly needed in the capital as the Irish government plan to increase international enrolment in Irish higher education by 33 per cent in the next three years. If successful, this could add a further 29,000 full-time students to the existing 80,000 full-time students already in Dublin.
GSA is focused on taking direct control of this housing crisis for students in Dublin, while simultaneously creating job opportunities for locals workers through construction and future permanent jobs within the complexes.
“We are committed to supporting jobs for the local community and worked with the Grangegorman Development Agency to ensure full compliance with the local employment charter,” said Aaron Bailey, Head of Construction Europe GSA.
In recent years GSA has been the operator for the building of two new student complexes in Dublin, one at Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 and another at Mill Street, Dublin 8.
The Gardiner Street Complex will provide 491-bedrooms for both Trinity College Students and DIT Students from September 2017.
The 400-bedroom complex at Mill Street is expected to create 150 jobs upon its completion in September 2017 as the complex will contain shops, restaurants and commercial space for local businesses.
The complex situated close to Saint Stephen’s Green will benefit students from Trinity College Dublin, DIT and RCSI as all are within walking distance. Out of all three student accommodations built by GSA, the Mill Street complex is the only one which offers a direct bus route to DCU.
Clara Hickey
Image Credit: Zainab Boladale