Works have commenced on the iconic Treasure Chest building on William Street, with rumours of a major fashion retailer moving in soon.
Keen-eyed Galwegians noticed signs on the wedding cake-like building listing a holding company with high street fashion links as the client for current works on the premises, although this signage has subsequently been removed.
A 'lease agreed' sign appeared last summer.
Auctioneers and legal professionals with connections to the landmark building are remaining tight-lipped on who the new retailer will be, but contracts have been signed.
It is understood H&M was looking at the four-storey building, but negotiations did not progress.
Informed sources indicated to the Galway Advertiser that retail giant Inditix had an interest in the building. A spokesperson for the Spanish company said its Zara brand will not be moving to Galway "and [we] have no plans to do so at this time".
Inditix owns brands Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and others.
Mountain Warehouse, which already has a presence on Mainguard Street, has also been linked with the site.
The doyenne of Galway retail, Mary Bennett, closed the Treasure Chest shop in September 2023, and it has been vacant since.
