Temporary Roof at Cleeves Riverside Quarter, Limerick
HAKITEC 750 Weather Protection safeguarded the restoration of Limerick's historic Cleeves Riverside Quarter, providing a fully enclosed temporary roof that enabled safe, uninterrupted heritage works despite challenging weather conditions.
Project Overview
The Cleeves Riverside Quarter development in Limerick represents one of Ireland’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects. With a total investment exceeding €400 million, the scheme will transform a historic 10-acre riverside site into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood featuring residential accommodation, student housing, commercial space, public amenities and extensive public realm improvements.
At the heart of the first phase of works is the stabilisation, consolidation and restoration of the iconic Flax Mill building, a protected structure dating back more than 175 years. Over its lifetime, the building has served as a flax mill, flour mill, condensed milk factory, dairy processing facility and, most recently, part of the Golden Vale operation before becoming vacant in 2011.
Main contractor John Sisk was appointed to deliver Phase One on behalf of Limerick Twenty Thirty (LTT) with Sean Curtin Scaffolding responsible for the access and temporary works package.
The Challenge
The initial phase of restoration required a robust temporary roofing solution to fully protect the historic Flax Mill while stabilisation and repair works were carried out. Covering a structure measuring approximately 50 metres in length and 20 metres in width, the system needed to provide complete weather protection, create a safe and productive working environment and be installed efficiently to minimise disruption to the construction programme. It also had to accommodate the unique challenges associated with restoring a protected heritage building, ensuring that critical works could continue regardless of weather conditions.
Given the scale of the structure and the importance of protecting the historic fabric of the building, a flexible and proven temporary roofing solution was essential.
The HAKI Solution
To meet these requirements, Sean Curtin Scaffolding selected the HAKITEC 750 temporary roofing system from HAKI. The project utilised a 15° gable roof configuration, the most versatile weather protection setup within the HAKITEC range. Designed to span large distances while maintaining structural integrity, the HAKITEC 750 system provided a reliable enclosure over the entire Flax Mill building (50 metres in length by 20 metres width).
A key advantage of the installation was the ability to assemble roof sections at ground level before lifting them into position by crane. This approach improved installation efficiency while helping to maintain high safety standards throughout the erection process.
The completed roof structure created a secure weatherproof envelope over the building, enabling restoration activities to proceed while protecting operatives and the historic structure beneath.
Sean Curtin Scaffolding
Sean Curtin Scaffolding is a third-generation, family-owned contractor based in Limerick, Ireland delivering specialist scaffolding and access solutions across industrial, commercial and heritage projects. Their services include industrial scaffolding, temporary roofing, bespoke scaffold design, material hoists and access solutions for historic buildings. With over 50 years of experience, the company is recognised for delivering safe, technically complex projects throughout Ireland's Mid-West region.
HAKI worked closely with Sean Curtin Scaffolding on the Cleeves building supporting through technical design assistance, product demonstrations and on-site training to help ensure safe, efficient and compliant system installations.
Benefits of HAKITEC 750 Weather Protection
Large Span Capability
The HAKITEC 750 temporary roof system features an aluminium lattice beam design that spans large structures, making it ideal for heritage restorations and large commercial projects.
Heritage Buildings
Creates a controlled environment that protects construction works from rain, wind and moisture, safeguarding sensitive materials and historic structures throughout the project.
Improved Productivity
Enables work to continue year-round by minimising weather-related delays, helping contractors maintain programme certainty on complex restoration projects.
Enhanced Safety
Provides a safer, more controlled working environment, while ground-level assembly options help reduce risks during installation.
Flexibility
Features a modular design that adapts to a wide range of project requirements and building geometries, making it suitable for refurbishment, restoration and new-build applications.
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Results
The successful completion of the temporary roof installation marked a significant milestone in the delivery of Phase One works at Cleeves Riverside Quarter.
With the Flax Mill now fully enclosed, restoration teams can continue critical stabilisation and repair works in a protected environment, helping preserve one of Limerick’s most important industrial heritage buildings for future generations.
By providing a robust, adaptable and efficient weather protection solution, HAKI’s HAKITEC 750 system is playing a vital role in enabling the safe and successful restoration of this landmark structure as part of the wider regeneration of the Cleeves Riverside Quarter development.
