Plans to extend/refurbish student hub in Kildare's Maynooth University

A planning application has been submitted to Kildare County Council for the proposed extension/refurbishment of Maynooth University's Student Hub, addressed at the Student Centre, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co Kildare.

According to Construction Information Services (CIS), the €9.5m application was made on July 17 2026.

CIS notes that the proposed development will almost double the overall size of the university's Student Hub, from approximately 1,760 sqm to 3,475 sqm.

CIS is now monitoring the local planning authority for a decision.

The proposed plans involve the extension and refurbishment of the existing Maynooth Student Hub, and provides for partial demolition of the northern portion of the Hub.

This will facilitate the construction of a new part-two-storey, part-three-storey extension, comprising an entrance and reception area and office and meeting spaces, together with a roof terrace.

Also included in the plans are the demolition of an existing storage shed and provision of a new two-storey equivalent extension to the west, comprising a new auditorium and ancillary spaces at ground floor level with associated auditorium void and plant areas at first floor level.

There is to be extensive refurbishment of the existing building, including reconfiguration and reorganisation of internal spaces; deep energy retrofit; replacement of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services; and re-cladding of existing external elevations.

There will also be upgrade to the public realm, comprising hard and soft landscape works surrounding the Student Hub and the incorporation of 32 short-term bicycle parking spaces.

Finally, all other associated works are included, including boundary treatments, waste management area, thermal upgrade of the existing building including solar PV panels at roof level, lighting and signage.

The architect for the proposed development is MOLA Architecture.