Re: A Look Inside The New Clarion Hotel @ City Quarter
Here’s an inside view of the central atrium of the new Clarion Hotel on Lapps Quay as part of Howard Holdings’ new City Quarter development. The hotel will open its doors on Feb 11th while the new office development as part of the project will be completed come late March/early April.
*UPDATES*
🙂 O’Callaghan Properties have confirmed that they are scheduled to lodge their application for Academy Street/Emmet Place this Summer (2005) – a little earlier than originally planned, with construction hoped to be for October 2006. OCP have put this down to the fact that they are very happy with the way Mahon Point has progressed and continues to progress – the retail park (phase 1) is now let and all units at the Shopping Centre are filling up gradually (they have been since launch – however incidents such as the Clinton Cards fall, all provided temporary vacanies which were quickly filled). There now remains a backlog of international tenants, many of which OCP are hoping to see take up units at the Academy Street development. The 6-storey over dual-basement development will see a lower basement parking and goods delivery level, basement retail, ground floor retail, 1st floor retail, 2nd floor retail, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th floor residential. Bowen Construction will be contractors. The design team has been for the time being, asked, not to be revealed – but consists of a respected European-based firm (think Scandanavia) and a Dublin practice (who has worked with OCP on large retail projects before). The retail element will be strictly fashion.
– OCP satisfied with Mahon Point, will now be focussing their attention on the Jurys redevelopment and Academy Street projects (+ 1 other proposed ‘surprise’ – an enhanced retail aspect?). The Hilton Hotel, Office Development, Industrial Park and 2nd Phase Retail Park (scheduled for August 2005) will all proceed ahead at MP under the supervision from OCPs new Lavitts Quay HQ. The development company have lodged a 1st Party Appeal in contest to the CCC planning decision regarding its Jurys Hotel redevelopment – it claims the reductions made by the company in apartment numbers to satisfy planners and objectors was highly sufficient and the further reduction in planning conditions was unfair. I have to agree with them on this one. A substantial brief has been lodged contesting objectors from Sundays Well who argue the redevelopment would ‘destroy their children’s heritage’. I sincerely hope the project is greenlit the whole way.
😉 For anyone interested in entering the Kyrls Quay Architectural Design Competition held by CCC (1 of 2 competitions held by the council, the other being the 15m euro City Library redevelopment competition), here are a few genuine and important (insider) hints for design consideration that should be taken aware of:
A. At least 2 seperate developments envisaged – the design should be distinctive and of a high aesthetical quality.
B. The height of design fronting Kyrls Quay, should be significant enough to mask the existing Kyrls Quay multi-storey and shopping centre – but not over-dominating as to detract from other nearby buildings of important historical reference.
C. Full consideration for the development’s waterfront location should be incorporated.
D. It is preferred, though not obligatory, that the project be of a commercial and/or cultural nature – this is to reflect the history of the Cornmarket Street and Coal Quay areas as important historical trading areas, and to enhance the regeneration efforts which focus on the important, extended CCA (Core Commercial Area) and CCRA (City Centre Retail Area) nature of the area.
E. The project must consider an extension to the quayside road’s width for better traffic management in the area (but with a strategic view to pedestrian adjustment).
F. Public amenity capabilities must be incorporated into the design (e.g. boardwalks [favoured], green areas, timber decking etc)
G. It is preferred, though not obligatory, that any building designs facing the Kyrls Quay waterfront, avail of the curved nature of the quayside/river – within minimal ‘boxy’ features, and a greater emphasis on the sleek.
H. The project overall must be commercially attractive.
I. Consideration will be given to projects wishing to utilise the quay-wall area – where full consideration is given to pedestrian thoroughfares at ground level and sufficient traffic management (e.g. an arched form over quayside road and pathways) – however, the implications and riverside impacts must be documented and justified.
J. The waterfront building(s) should act, in conjunction with the new Shandon Bridge, as a landmark gateway into the renewed Cornmarket Street area – which should be viewed as a major and important commercial thoroughfare for Cork city centre. (I recommend noting the original ‘tower of light’ structure originally proposed as part of the Gate Multiplex building on North Gate Bridge. )
– Thats all I have for now, and they are in my own words, not listed details as I received them through talks with certain persons – but the hints were on those precise lines.
