Re: Sunbeam to Rise (18-storeys) from the Ashes!
😀 The fast renewing suburb of Blackpool is now subject to yet another extensive new regenerative development – following extensive preplanning discussion, Mallow-based Rothbury Estates (linked to the the textile Reffond Group backed by businessman Martin Buckley) looks set to lodge plans with CCC for a massive €105m redevelopment scheme at the 4.34 acre former Sunbeam Factory site located between the Old Mallow Road to the east and Commons Road to the west.
The mixed-use proposal will seek to realise a development encompassing a gross area of 64,761sq m – of which 19,297sq m will be occupied by 260 new residential apartment units broken down as follows: 37 x 1-bedroom, 197 x 2-bedroom and 26 x 3-bedroom units.
The scheme will evolve over 3-blocks:
Blocks 1, 2 and 3 will generally vary in heights of between 5 and 7-storeys with an 8th storey recess – however, Block 1 will also contain a feature tower rising to a height of 18-storeys making it one of Cork’s tallest buildings.
Constituent of Block 1 – 77 apartments will be located on the lower-level of the block with 78 further units, all with balconies or roof-terrace provision, being catered for as part of the tower element. A large retail warehousing unit (2, 633sq m) and garden centre will be located a ground-floor level.
Block 2 will home 56 additional apartment units over a further, though smaller retail warehousing unit of 1,813sq m.
Meanwhile, Block 3 will include 49 apartment units over a convenience retail unit, leisure centre, play centre for children, creche and 3-storey cafe. Adjoining the block, a large 6-storey with 7th level setback office building will be provided – at 12,707sq m it will be among Cork’s largest prospective office provisions.
The massive redevelopment scheme will be constructed over a dual-deck basement parking facility for 682 cars – further incorporated, a new riverside park will be provided along the River Bride (which will be subject to realignment) and a new vehicular and pedestrian bridge.
The height of the buildings should come as no surprise given that the area has been designated in the Cork City Development Plan 2004 as being capable of handling taller structures to act as landmark figures to the Northern City Gateway – (as a matter of clarity is not the taller “high-rise” structure I referred to in the LADSOCL thread as being assessed for Blackpool all those many posts ago).
The proposal, if successful, will solidify Blackpool’s fast emerging “destination” profile and add another significant boost to the area which has already benefit so well from the likes of development afforded by The Shipton Group at Blackpool Park and Shopping Centre. The Sunbeam Estate had been subject to a devastating fire back in 2003. Hope to have images up soon. Kinsale-based Richard Rainey & Associates are responsible for the design.
The tragic fire which engulfed the Sunbeam Industrial Estate back in 2003
*UPDATES*
🙂 As posted on page 15 of this thread (Post #367) the Coca-Cola Bottling facility along the Carrigrohane “Straight” Road was sold via Lisney with a guide price of approx. €5m. The final sale figure is now believed to be in the region of €8m and was attained by Killarney-based David Crowe’s Oyster Developments (interestingly Mr. Crowe was also responsible for the purchase of the Coca-Cola facility in Killarney – just west of St. Patrick’s Church in the town centre – which he redeveloped as The Courtyard residential complex). The site is understood to be out for design tender with development plans expected to be lodged mid-2006. The opportunity exists for Oyster Developments to produce a significant landmark project which acts in a complimentary fashion to the area – with respect for not only Cork County Hall, but the prospect of a large new recreational park to the west along the Carrigrohane Road. Mr. Crowe had previously expressed the desire to develop a 16-storey tower at Deane Street – this was subsequently ruled out by CCC at prelanning stages – this new site acquisition however offers him with the opportunity to realise his earlier intentions, however, given the sensitive location of the site, eyes will be peeled on design standards employed with the new residential project.
