Multi-million euro plans unveiled for historic country house in Limerick

ONE of Limerick’s most historic and recognisable homes is set for a fresh lease of life, with its new owner planning a major development on its land.

A new tech hub building on the 1.5-acre site of the 19th century Heathfield House in Kilmeedy will feature a swimming pool, cafe, and open plan offices.

Torque Lodge Consulting, headed by technical expert Nick Wilsdon, is also planning a refurbishment of the 19th century house to include 12 short-stay bedrooms.

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On top of this, his multi-million euro plans to construct the tech hub will see a number of different zones.

One will offer space for work and collaboration, with a second ‘wellness zone’ providing a swimming pool, gym and yoga studio, with a cafe, seating area, theatre and presentation room also in the complex.

A protected structure, Heathfield House was sold last year for €825,000 to Mr Wilsdon.

He saw it as an ideal headquarters for his company Torque Edge Consulting, as well as for his family who always wanted a bit more space in the countryside to “raise some chickens and ducks!”

Mr Wilsdon, who has worked with a number of blue-chip firms in the past said: “We are specialist programmers and work with large enterprise clients. I have 25 years’ experience working for people like Vodafone and have a lot of experience in enterprise.”

He says “several million euro” is being invested in refurbishing Heathfield House and building the two-storey tech hub.

“We are doing a lot in terms of hiring people locally. We have our first full-time job starting in the next two weeks. Jobs will involve looking after the event space, event organisation, grounds-keeping, cleaning, turning rooms over.

But also around things like the activities we will host. You’d have different people running things like yoga classes and others around this area, who we will bring in to provide services to our guests,” Mr Wilsdon explained.

The tech hub could be used for companies providing away days for their staff, while the short-stay accommodation, he suggested, could provide temporary lodgings to so-called ‘digital nomads’, who work remotely across the world.

Above: A render of how the tech hub on land at Heathfield House could appear

He praised the support he has received from the local Kilmeedy community since moving on site, and as a result hopes to “give back a bit”.

This would involve opening the tech hub out to local groups, and supporting businesses from the area in terms of serving the facility.

“We’d like to get people like Roots (Cafe in Kilmeedy) to provide catering and food to events. We want to connect in with all the local businesses,” Mr Wilsdon added.

He described Heathfield House as being “a focal point for the whole area”.

“It’s been amazing being in this building, because everyone has a history here. Everyone’s grandparents or relatives at some point worked at Heathfield House. I think there were around 100 people working here in the past. It’s so embedded in the community in everyone’s passing history. It’s been great having the community up here getting involved. We have had so much support in doing work on the site,” the businessman told Limerick Live.

Heathfield House backs onto Ballinruane Woods, a 1,000-acre forest.

Originally built as a five-bay country house by the Lloyd family in 1818, the facility expanded to the east in the 1830s.

It has a number of notable features, including crafted limestone sills, timber sash windows and a fine slate roof.

A large enclosed courtyard to the rear with an associated bell tower forms another notable historic architectural feature.

Limerick City and County Council’s planners are scheduled to make a decision on the plans for Heathfield House on or before Tuesday, March 3 next.