Waterford’s Glassworks: Ireland’s First Co-Located University Enterprise Quarter Opens Its Doors
Waterford, Ireland – Today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened Building One at Glassworks, marking a significant milestone in the economic development of the southeast region. The €43 million facility represents Ireland’s first co-located university enterprise quarter, built on the site of the former Waterford Crystal factory on the Cork Road.
A New Hub for Innovation and Collaboration
The 80,000 square foot ‘Building One’ is designed to accommodate up to 800 employees and is a key component of the wider 37-acre Glassworks campus. The project aims to foster collaboration between South East Technological University (SETU) and businesses, driving employment, research and education in the region .
From Crystal to Collaboration: A Site Transformed
The opening of Glassworks comes nearly two decades after the closure of the historic Waterford Crystal manufacturing plant in 2009, which at its peak employed up to 3,000 people . The new campus is envisioned to eventually support up to 6,000 jobs when fully completed.
Strategic Partnerships and Early Tenant Interest
The development is a joint venture between the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Waterford-based developer Frisby. Healthcare provider Veonet Ireland has already committed to opening a day-unit within Building One, specifically utilizing the former Waterford Crystal showroom space . This partnership was influenced by the development’s proximity to SETU and the potential for collaboration on training and research, particularly in optometry, with SETU planning a new course in the discipline .
Inspired by International Models
The Glassworks campus draws inspiration from successful university enterprise quarters internationally, including the University of Nottingham Innovation Park and the Cortex Innovation District in St. Louis, Missouri . Developers aim to replicate these models by creating a space where industry and academia can seamlessly interact.
Sustainability and Future Development
Building One is Waterford’s first purpose-built office building to achieve BER A3 rating, as well as LEED Gold and WiredScore Gold standards . Planning permission has also been granted for a 582-student accommodation project adjacent to the campus.
A “Game Changer” for the Southeast
Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, described Glassworks as a “game changer” for the southeast region, emphasizing its potential to elevate the region’s innovation capability and foster partnerships between students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and multinational companies . The ISIF highlighted its commitment to backing transformational projects in regional cities, viewing Glassworks as a prime example of this ambition .