The former Presentation Convent in the heart of Galway city has come on the market this week – with a price tag in excess of €2.5 million.

The sale of this property presents an exceptional redevelopment and refurbishment opportunity in the city centre, with potential for a variety of uses, subject to planning permission.

Already, a feasibility study – guided by the Galway City Development Plan and urban planning policy -has been prepared by Sean Dockry & Co Architects outlining potential for an 82-bedroom hotel or a 60-unit residential development (made up of 16 one-bed apartments and 44 two-bed apartments), subject to planning permission.

As it stands, the property comprises a range of substantial buildings including the period 25-bedroomed Presentation Convent building, together with the former Our Lady’s College Secondary School and Presentation NS, totalling approximately 3,828.5 sq.m (41,210 sq.ft) on a site of around 0.53 ha. (1.32 acres).

The property’s period buildings date from circa 1750, while the more modern buildings including Our Lady’s College date from the 1960’s. All are well maintained and offer redevelopment/refurbishment opportunities, subject to planning permission.

The original Presentation Convent was built around 1750 to be used by a Charter School and then became a military barracks and a fever hospital, before the Presentation Order acquired the building in 1819. The Presentation National School was then constructed in 1820.

Our Lady’s College – the new school formed after the amalgamation of the Presentation and Mercy convents – then joined with St. Mary’s College in 2019 to make up a new co-educational secondary school; Coláiste Muire Máthair, located on the St. Mary’s College site.

The Presentation Sisters for their part are moving into a new convent building, soon to be completed on the site adjacent to the subject property.

The site is zoned ‘CF – Community, Cultural and Institutional’ in the Galway City Development Plan 2017 – 2023 “to provide for and facilitate the sustainable development of community, cultural and institutional uses and development of infrastructure for the benefit of the citizens of the city” with residential uses considered on surplus institutional lands.

The sale of this property presents an exceptional redevelopment and refurbishment opportunity in the heart of Galway city centre, with potential for a variety of uses, subject to planning permission.

Apart from the potential for hotel or accommodation development, the existing buildings also offer the opportunity to be retained or redeveloped for a variety of other uses including medical, nursing, educational, office/conference centre – again subject to planning permission.

The selling agent Avison Young expects keen interest from developers, investors and occupiers.

Further details are available from Avison Young, at 86 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel – 01 6762711, Email: Dublin.property@avisonyoung.com or see avisonyoung.ie