Elkstone and Harrison Street are making significant strides with their Westside Place purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project in Galway, which remains on schedule for delivery in September 2027. This ambitious development adds to Elkstone’s portfolio, which includes the recently completed 345-bedroom PBSA scheme on Queen Street Place, inaugurated on 22 June 2026 and set to welcome residents in September 2026.
The Development Details
Westside Place is designed by JFA Architects and is being constructed by Monami Construction, the same firm responsible for the Queen Street Place project. The new build will feature over 8,000 square metres of floor space distributed across seven storeys, offering a mix of amenity spaces, terraces, landscaping, and comprehensive site works.
Accommodation Configuration
Encompassing 240 bedrooms, the Westside Place PBSA will be organised into 32 clusters, with configurations varying from four-bedroom to eight-bedroom arrangements. Each cluster will be equipped with communal living, kitchen, and dining facilities, promoting a community atmosphere among the residents.
Innovative Construction Techniques
The construction of Westside Place exemplifies modern building methods, prominently featuring a composite precast wall panel system. This innovative approach integrates the structural framework with the external brick façade off-site, allowing for efficient craning into position. Monami Construction has emphasised that such techniques not only enhance the quality of the build but also expedite the overall construction timeline.
Transport and Accessibility
As part of the development, 94 parking spaces will be removed, leaving a total of 238 spaces. Importantly, the PBSA will not provide car parking for its residents, but it will include accommodations for 212 bicycles. The site is conveniently located next to the Westside Shopping Centre, ensuring students are within a 14-minute walk from NUI Galway, with numerous bus routes servicing the area.
Planning Challenges and Approvals
Despite initial recommendations for refusal by Galway City Council in 2022, the development received approval from An Bord Pleanála. In January 2025, city planners approved modifications to the project, including a reduction of the ground floor space by 67 square metres to 1,578 square metres, aimed at protecting existing infrastructure for electricity and gas in the vicinity. Additionally, the developers were granted permission to omit a café previously included in the design.