HEWLETT-PACKARD (HP) is to embark on a major expansion of its facilities in Galway by leasing a newly-developed office block of up to 8,361sq m (90,000sqft) in the city suburbs. It will be one of the largest office buildings in Galway.
And in another boost for the Dublin office market, an overseas company has pre-booked two floors of the newly developed Burlington Plaza 1 on Burlington Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
The company, which will initially rent 4,645sq m (50,000sq ft), does not want to be identified until it completes discussions with State agencies in Dublin.
The block adjoins a new building recenly rented to Bank of Ireland to accommodate staff who will be moving from its long-standing headquarters on Baggot Street.
HP has invited a number of developers to put forward rental terms for a new office block of 6,503sq m-8,361sq m (70,000sq ft -90,000sq ft) close to the present building at Ballybrit.
Although office rents in Galway and other cities have fallen heavily over the past three years, developers pitching for the HP contract will have no option but to look for a rent level above the going rate to cover the development costs of a high specification block together with site costs.
They will also have to agree a mininum lease of at least 10 years to ensure that their bank will fund the development.
HP is being advised by Paddy Conlon of agent CB Richard Ellis.
HP is currently recruiting additional skilled staff, including graduate to senior developers, technical leaders, automated test engineers and technical support for its information technology and research and develoment areas of cloud technology in Galway.
HP’s managing director Martin Murphy, said recently that its Galway operation was one of the key centres of worldwide cloud development.
A spokeswoman for the company said that the new facilities planned for Galway will potentially accommodate existing operations and future expansion requirements.
HP employs 4,500 people in Ireland, most of them at their Irish headquarters in Leixlip. There are around 500 engaged in the Galway operation.
