Planning application lodged for €25m Liffey Valley project

A planning application for a €25 million extension to the Liffey Valley shopping centre has been lodged with South Dublin County Council.

It is claimed the project will create some 670 jobs between construction, and full and part-time staff.

The development would bring the number of people employed at the centre to more than 2,500, and take just over two years to complete.

The application envisages an additional 10,500sq m of space at the western end of the centre in a move which would bring new brand name, fashion shops, restaurants and an expanded cinema complex.

The expansion comes at a time when many other shopping destinations across the State are reporting trading difficulties, including Dún Laoghaire, which was recently reported to have closed 100 shops since 2008.

By contrast, Liffey Valley’s owners, Aviva Investors and Grosvenor, said Liffey Valley is 100 per cent occupied.

Included in the proposed extension is a three-level retail unit of 6,577sq m, with alterations and expansion of the Vue Cinema.

There will also be six restaurants, again laid out over three floors.

Public facilities are to include a space of more than 3,000sq m to accommodate regular managed events. Architects DMOD expected this area to become a meeting place and focal point for the centre.

The revamp also includes improved links to parking and public transport.

The Liffey Valley shopping centre was opened 15 years ago, and is located at the junction of the major N4 and M50 routes.