Reply To: Beamish’s contempt for Cork
Frinailla Developments are constructing 50 new luxury 2-bedroom apartments with 2 roof-top penthouses in a 7-storey over basement car-park mixed use development which will incorporate a retail centre – it is designed by Richard Rainey and Assoc. of Kinsale and constructed by John Paul Construction. Historical excavations are currently ongoing. Nearly all elements of this project (apartments, retail units and the famous 70-90 underground car-parking spaces (which ALL sold for 80,000 euros)) have been sale agreed or sold.
Next door, on the current South Main Street Citi Car-Park, Kenny Developments are to develop a 7-storey over part basement mixed use development with offices, multi-storey car-park, retail outlets, residential units and a 22-bedroom hotel with cantivelered boardwalk. Designed by RKD McCarthy Architects. No construction date has been designated as of yet. Permission for the project was granted on appeal to ABP. A recent amendment to the project to incorporate 64 student apartments was withdrawn.
Though I agree that the Beamish premises is in need of refurbishment, I dispute the phrase ‘contempt for Cork’. Despite amazing financial pressure to relocate, Beamish have displayed a resilience rarely seen these days (which some economically minded may regard as ‘foolish’) in refusing to leave its Cork home – saving numerous jobs at this location. In addition, the brewery has in the past been approached by private developers interested in purchasing land assets currently in possession of the brewery. Most notably on the Wandesford Quay elevation. Though I agree that the main facade of the building on South Main Street is in need of a decent paint job, their premises in need of refurbishment, and the maintainence of the Oval Bar is inexcusable – I don’t agree with the word ‘contempt’ simply based on architectural grounds.
I believe, Beamish need to be approached in a positive, encouraging manner by CCC and asked to make substantial adjustments and improvements to their premises. In addition, Beamish could benefit themselves from refurbishment and thus offer tourist based Brewery Tours. They could offer elements of their premises up for private development sale too as a means of attaining capital and contributing to the much needed redevelopment of their site.
