The Limerick skyline has undergone a dramatic transformation with a towering 61m (200 ft) high building in the city's waterfront area set to open next month.
The Riverpoint tower, Limerick's tallest building, is characterised by a glass and mirror front which shimmers in the sunlight at the main gateway to the city on the Shannon Bridge.
Designed by Burke, Kennedy, Doyle architects, it becomes the third tallest building in the State after Cork County Hall and Liberty Hall in Dublin.
This represents the completion of phase one of the €75 million project at Bishop's Quay. It consists of an elliptical 15-storey tower overlooking the river Shannon with a spectacular glass front. The high-specification reinforced glass was imported from Austria and is designed to reflect the changing colours of the river and sky.
Riverpoint is the brainchild of Limerick accountant, Michael Daly. His company Fordmount Properties currently has an estimated €200 million invested in property in Limerick city.
Phase two will see the demolition next month of St Munchin's House, once dubbed Limerick's "ugliest" building and the construction of a nine-storey block above a central courtyard.
When completed, the Riverpoint project will contain 150 apartments, offices, retail units, restaurant, bar, gymnasium and a car park. Up to 1,000 people are expected to live and work in the Riverpoint buildings.
Fordmount Properties is also developing a €100 million 100-bedroom four-star hotel and 95 apartments on the site of Limerick's old Savoy cinema. The company has purchased Castletroy Park Hotel for some €20 million where it is planned to develop a retirement village.