Technology giant HP has broken ground on the construction of a major 89,000 sq ft cloud R&D facility in Galway that will house 700 workers.
The project, which was announced last year, is expected to be one of the largest construction projects in Galway in recent times and will generate up to 200 construction jobs.
The existing building on the site dates back to 1973, when Digital Equipment corporation established a manufacturing site there.
The site is now in the eye of the storm in terms of HP’s evolution and in the last three years alone 300 additional jobs have been created there.
“Galway continues to be a great source of IT talent that can drive future innovation for HP,” said John Hinshaw, executive vice-president, Global Technology and Operations, HP.
“We are pleased to be investing in this site and getting construction under way and I look forward to an even stronger presence for HP in Galway.”
From start to finish, the project involves local suppliers from the West of Ireland.
Construction will be carried out by M.J. Conroy Group, project managers are AECOM, architects are Taylors Architects, the consultant engineers are ARUP and RPS, and other sub-contractors are also drawn from the local area.
Construction is due for completion in February 2015.
“This is a vote of confidence in HP’s Irish operations and is a welcome signal of the company’s commitment to the area,” said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
“HP was one of the first multinational tech companies to come here and Ireland has since gone from strength to strength in attracting investment from the tech sector.”
Galway image via Shutterstock
