Bonded Warehouse at Custom House Quay, Cork

[kite]

new to site.anybody actively doing anything about this disgrace to corks architectural heritage?

Unfortunately we have a situation where local political appointments are made to the lucrative Board of POC.
Despite Irish law dictating that these listed buildings be protected and properly maintained any efforts to debate the state of these buildings at local level has been stifled.
POC seem to have an open invitation to the Council chamber to rattle their begging box for funds to relocate downriver.
Thankfully we have this forum to air views on such matters

[kite]

From today’s Irish Examiner
Draft South Docks Local Area Plan

“The plan calls for preservation plans for the Ford’s complex and the Customs House Quay area.”

”The Bonded Warehouse building could be converted for interactive uses like galleries, shops and cafes.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=34623-qqqx=1.asp

The Bonded Warehouses are already Listed Heritage buildings, and have been for many years.
Will the proposal to “preserve” them stop the criminal neglect that was allowed by CCC in the past?

[Spinal Tap]

From today’s Irish Examiner
Draft South Docks Local Area Plan

“The plan calls for preservation plans for the Ford’s complex and the Customs House Quay area.”

”The Bonded Warehouse building could be converted for interactive uses like galleries, shops and cafes.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=ireland-qqqm=ireland-qqqa=ireland-qqqid=34623-qqqx=1.asp

The Bonded Warehouses are already Listed Heritage buildings, and have been for many years.
Will the proposal to “preserve” them stop the criminal neglect that was allowed by CCC in the past?

As a Dub living and working in Cork I am amazed at the lack of care and progress withe these fine buildings.

Fantastic opportunity for an amazing site and imagine if Dublin had this heritage in the city centre ?

The sooner Cork starts to focus on its heritage on the river / port and harbour the better.

[Hiivaladan]

When I was last in Cork, I saw these structures and, having absolutely no idea what they were,was struck by their design, the beautiful stonework and the amazing canopies. I've never seen anything like them.

[kite]

When I was last in Cork, I saw these structures and, having absolutely no idea what they were,was struck by their design, the beautiful stonework and the amazing canopies. I've never seen anything like them.

Luckily we have a photographic record of these buildings as years of neglect by the landlord, Port of Cork, supported by the inaction of Cork City Council means that they will probably collapse into the Lee.

[Spinal Tap]

Luckily we have a photographic record of these buildings as years of neglect by the landlord, Port of Cork, supported by the inaction of Cork City Council means that they will probably collapse into the Lee.

Cork City Council could take action under their derelect sites powers ?

[phil]

I think there is something very powerful about this small area of the city. The way the tip juts out without anything attached to it is somewhat of a signature of the city, and it is a pity to hear these buildings are falling apart. It would be nice if they were converted into something for the city more than just restaurants, bars etc, like every other docklands area around the world.

[phatman]

I think there is something very powerful about this small area of the city. The way the tip juts out without anything attached to it is somewhat of a signature of the city, and it is a pity to hear these buildings are falling apart. It would be nice if they were converted into something for the city more than just restaurants, bars etc, like every other docklands area around the world.

TBH, I think these buildings are totally lost against the backdrop of city quarter. This end of city quarter looks quite poor, is overscaled and overmassed, and really would stand to be hidden by another building facing downstream, which is the first real glimpse people have of the centre island, and is quite a straetgic site. This crucial aspect was overlooked by planners. I am certainly not suggesting the bonded warehouses give way to some office block, but their presence has been seriously affected, and I would like the possibility of some landmark structure being built on part of the site to be investigated...

[phil]

Phatman, I think this whole area has the opportunity to get away from things that have been tried everywhere else before, and in that I would include the idea of a landmark building as inevitably benefiting the site. Whilst I realise that you (along with other proactive users of this and other Cork thread users) are alot more familiar with this area than I am, I feel that this whole piece of the central island is a landmark in and of itself, and any interventions need to take that on board.

[bosco]

Just imagine what this picture would be like if the building and site were tidied up and housed cafes etc.

But for now we'll have to put up with a run down, decaying eye sore, cut off from public access.

[samuel j]

Exactly.... and doesn't take much imagination to see how it could be a thriving spot.

By the way thats the Topsail Schooner L’etoile. French topsail schooner of the Ecole Navale (Naval School) at Lauveoc-Poulmic, Brest.

[Radioactiveman]

Hot off the presses:

From South Dock's Local Area Plan:

<img src="http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/4038/p1cx5.png">

[Radioactiveman]

Cork Midsummer Festival 2007
Tuesday 19th - Saturday 30th June 2007.

Eyes of the Docks
BOOMERANG PRODUCTIONS PRESENT: Eyes of the Docks
Date: Tuesday 19th - Saturday 30th June @10pm - 12pm
(Closed Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd)
Tickets: Free event, no tickets required
Venue: Bonded Warehouses, Port of Cork, Custom House Quay

This innovative and unique multimedia art installation involves renowned artists from around the world in an exploration of the history and culture of the docklands of the famous Port of Cork and the men who worked there.

The project is based around the historic and legendary work of stevedores and dockers. Using print, projection, sound, computer graphics and other media, artists from Jordan, the Netherlands, the U.K. and Ireland come together to tell the fascinating stories of the men who were at the heart of the Irish economy for centuries.

This will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the public to enter a different world, to travel back in time and to see, hear and feel the atmosphere and experience the artistic response to the social history of the docklands.

Supported by The Port of Cork Company, Docklands Directorate, Cork City Council

[Paul Clerkin]

Just imagine what this picture would be like if the building and site were tidied up and housed cafes etc.

But for now we'll have to put up with a run down, decaying eye sore, cut off from public access.

That really could be amazing... a lovely spot to hangout, go for dinner etc

[kite]

An Archiseek member kindly emailed me a proposal from 2005 (before the Landlord, Port of Cork, won a High Court case to prevent same) regarding plans for the Bonded Warehousing site today.
I tried “photobucket” but still cannot figure out how to insert an image (PDF) onto a post.
If somebody can talk me through the process I will happily post the image / plans.

[Paul Clerkin]

send it to me and i'll attach to your post

[kite]

send it to me and i'll attach to your post

Will do, thanks Paul.

[bosco]

Bumping this post as it's being discussed in the Developments in Cork thread.

[kite]

The Mafia that operate in, and control Cork (aided and abetted by CCC) will never allow this Heritage protected site to be regenerated.
It would be of much more value to some to continue to allow these buildings to degenerate to the point of collapse.
The Mafia would not even allow the MV Cill Airne (berthed on CHQ) to be transformed into a floating pub in Cork.
God forbid that the great unwashed would be encouraged to visit Custom House Quay to witness the years of criminal neglect that was allowed by CCC?

Sunday Business Post 2005
A training ship is set to be transformed into a cafe bar and wedding venue in Dublin by a group of publicans and shipwrights.

Dublin businessmen Larry Crowe, Brian Flannery and Robin Payne, who own the Cornerstone pub on Wexford Street and Nancy Hands on Parkgate Street, bought the MV Cill Airne last week for €40,000 from the Cork Institute of Technology.

The men - who also own hotels on Camden Street and have a share in Eamonn O'Reilly's restaurants, One Pico and Bleu Bistro Moderne - bought the boat with the Irish Ship and Barge Fabrication Company (ISBFC).

They are investing €2.5 million to transform the boat into a floating restaurant, bar, art gallery and maritime museum berthed opposite Spencer Dock. It will also be available for charter to visit ocean liners and hold wedding receptions in Dublin Bay between the North Wall and Dun Laoghaire.

Sam Corbett, who operates The Riasc, the charter party barge based on the Grand Canal in Dublin, set up the ISBFC specifically to renovate the MV Cill Airne.

“The Cill Airne is returning home to Dublin because she was assembled at the Liffey Dockyards in 1961 and is of real historical significance as the last remaining Irish-built ship,” said Corbett. The boat was built to transport up to 1,500 people, but modern regulations mean the Department of the Marine is only expected to grant a licence for 180 passengers.

It is thought that O'Reilly may manage the restaurant on the boat. Corbett said organisations such as Dublin Port and Waterways Ireland were traditionally wary of floating businesses, but that attitudes had changed.

“The Cill Airne will change preconceptions about floating restaurants in the capital and we hope to be the first of many such enterprises,” he said.

“There's a wealth of opportunities on Dublin's waterways.

“Every other major European city uses its marine property. Places like Stockholm have loads of floating attractions which seem to do well.”

[green_jesus]

But surely they'd have to redevelop this area with the proposed new railway station on Horgans quay...

[bosco]

From the Cork thread:

They are already putting a museum in the Odlums building.

Apart from a cursory mention that the building could be used for a museum, what if any specific plans have been made for it?

Why not rejoice in this place give it to the people instead of closing it off again.

That's what I'd love to see. How would using the site for the uses I mentioned do otherwise? Or how else would you "give it to the people"?

[goose_25]

Hey, just though some of you might be interested in having a look at what I proposed for my final year project using the site.

http://ruthgeraghty.carbonmade.com/

[who_me]

That's what I'd love to see. How would using the site for the uses I mentioned do otherwise? Or how else would you "give it to the people"?

It's quite a big building, there's no reason you couldn't do both - have a museum and cafes/restaurants.

Maybe you could use those doors/alcoves at ground level for craftsmen/traders. Local jewellery makers/artists and the like.

[Yossarian]

any update on this?

[Jim Comic]

i kayaked around both channels of the bonded warehouse recently, such potential unrealised!!!! could be a major tourist attraction if used with a bit of imagination, harbour tour boats could launch from it's steps, etc