Bonded Warehouse at Custom House Quay, Cork

Thank you Kite. Can you add to what you say at the end about the elected members having the instruments available to sort this scandalous state of affairs?

Why then is it that these custodians of our heritage have not, in almost 90 years, exercised their right under the sub-lease & implemented a schedule of dilapidations on their tenants to safeguard & maintain the asset

Have you seen the agreement? It is possible that it makes provision for a schedule of terminal dilapidations at the end of the term but the ability to serve an interim schedule of dilapidations at any time on a 99 year lease would be rare. This would also require the landlord to take action on an interest that will probably deliver little more than a peppercorn. If you feel that this situation requires resolution your best route is probably through Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act (2000) as outlined below:

58.—(1) Each owner and each occupier shall, to the extent consistent with the rights and obligations arising out of their respective interests in a protected structure or a proposed protected structure, ensure that the structure, or any element of it which contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, is not endangered.

(2) The duty imposed by subsection (1) in relation to a proposed protected structure arises at the time the owner or occupier is notified, under section 55 or under Part II, of the proposal to add the structure to the record of protected structures.

(3) Neither of the following shall be considered to be a breach of the duty imposed on each owner and each occupier under this section—

(a) development in respect of which permission under section 34 has been granted;
(b) development consisting only of works of a type which, in a declaration issued under section 57(3) to that owner or occupier, a planning authority has declared would not materially affect the character of the protected structure or any element, referred to in subsection (1) of this section, of that structure.
(4) Any person who, without lawful authority, causes damage to a protected structure or a proposed protected structure shall be guilty of an offence.

(5) Without prejudice to any other defence that may be available, it shall be a good defence in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (4) to prove that the damage to the structure resulted from works which were—

(a) urgently required in order to secure the preservation of the structure or any part of it,
(b) undertaken in good faith solely for the purpose of temporarily safeguarding the structure, and
(c) unlikely to permanently alter the structure or any element of it referred to in subsection (1).

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html

59.—(1) Where, in the opinion of the planning authority, it is necessary to do so in order to prevent a protected structure situated within its functional area from becoming or continuing to be endangered, the authority shall serve on each person who is the owner or occupier of the protected structure a notice—

(a) specifying the works which the planning authority considers necessary in order to prevent the protected structure from becoming or continuing to be endangered, and
(b) requiring the person on whom the notice is being served to carry out those works within a specified period of not less than 8 weeks from the date the notice comes into effect under section 62.
(2) After serving notice under subsection (1) on a person, a planning authority may—

(a) at its discretion, assist the person in carrying out the works required under the notice, and
(b) provide such assistance in any form it considers appropriate, including advice, financial aid, materials, equipment and the services of the authority’s staff.
(3) Any person on whom a notice under subsection (1) has been served may, within 4 weeks from the date of service of the notice, make written representations to the planning authority concerning—

(a) the terms of the notice,
(b) the provision of assistance under subsection (2), and
(c) any other material considerations.
(4) After considering any representations made under subsection (3), the planning authority may confirm, amend or revoke the notice, and shall notify the person who made the representations of its decision.

(5) Particulars of a notice served under this section shall be entered in the register.

@PVC King wrote:

Have you seen the agreement? It is possible that it makes provision for a schedule of terminal dilapidations at the end of the term but the ability to serve an interim schedule of dilapidations at any time on a 99 year lease would be rare. This would also require the landlord to take action on an interest that will probably deliver little more than a peppercorn. If you feel that this situation requires resolution your best route is probably through Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act (2000) as outlined below:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html

Thank you for the info, that will be of immense help.
The wording in the lease is as follows;

you “will (subject as hereinafter mentioned) well and substantially repair cleanse maintain amend and in good and tenantable repair order and condition keep the said premises and all new buildings and works which may at any time during the said time be erected on and all additions made to the said premises and the fixtures therein and the walls fences vaults roads sewers drains and appurtenances thereof with all necessary reparations cleansings and amendments whatsoever (damage by fire excepted) and the said premises so repaired cleansed maintained amended and kept as aforesaid will at the expiration or sooner determination of this demise quietly yield up to the Lessors together with all additions and improvements made thereto in the meantime and all fixtures of every kind in or upon the said premises or which during the said tem1 may be affixed or fastened to or upon the same ..”.

What do you make of this PVC King?
Can anything be done to ensure this building survives?

It is pretty standard stuff but places the emphasis on expiration of the term. You would want to look for the ability of the landlord to enter the premises to effect repairs or serve an interim schedule of dilapidations. You are also reliant on the owner spending money on legals for something that will have no material impact in the short term. Service of a S59 notice may galvanise the superior interest owner who may in 2017 be able to un-encumber the reversionary interest and to keep options open that entity may be well advised to seek enforcement of the (fairly loose) repairing covenent to maximise the building value as with all ground leases the real value is the actual building which must be renewed at Open Market Rental Value unlike residential interests. I wouldn’t fancy the dilaps liability on that building in 10 years it could be a seven or even eight figure sum.

@PVC King wrote:

It is pretty standard stuff but places the emphasis on expiration of the term. You would want to look for the ability of the landlord to enter the premises to effect repairs or serve an interim schedule of dilapidations. You are also reliant on the owner spending money on legals for something that will have no material impact in the short term. Service of a S59 notice may galvanise the superior interest owner who may in 2017 be able to un-encumber the reversionary interest and to keep options open that entity may be well advised to seek enforcement of the (fairly loose) repairing covenent to maximise the building value as with all ground leases the real value is the actual building which must be renewed at Open Market Rental Value unlike residential interests. I wouldn’t fancy the dilaps liability on that building in 10 years it could be a seven or even eight figure sum.

The tenant entered negotiations with a third party in 1999 to dispose of the lease which led to bad blood (and a seven year battle in the High Court) between the landlords, a British developer and themselves.
The Landlord (Port of Cork) served the dilapidation schedule on the 24th March 2000 (now withdrawn)

“We now call upon you to comply in full with the above covenant having regard to the terms of the aforementioned letter from Mr. John Power, Building Control Officer, Cork Corporation (now Cork City Council) with particular reference to the south east corner of your premises and the Schedule of Dilapidations dated June 1999 which was served on you from this office.
We require confirmation from you within 14 days of the receipt of this letter that you will immediately take such steps as to remedy the breach of the above detailed covenant”

The POC won the final section of the High Court case 18 months ago and it was hoped the near loss of the Bonded Warehouses would have focused their minds as to the value of this site to Cork and the Country.
Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case as the building is in a state of near collapse.

Interim dilaps cases going to the High Court are extremely rare but the CCC notice no doubt provided prima facia evidence of the lease breach. In this regard service of a S59 notice by CCC would make forfeiture proceedings a lot easier once the real prospect of financial exposure on the part of the lessor could be proven.

@kite wrote:

The tenant entered negotiations with a third party in 1999 to dispose of the lease which led to bad blood (and a seven year battle in the High Court) between the landlords, a British developer and themselves.
The Landlord (Port of Cork) served the dilapidation schedule on the 24th March 2000 (now withdrawn)

“We now call upon you to comply in full with the above covenant having regard to the terms of the aforementioned letter from Mr. John Power, Building Control Officer, Cork Corporation (now Cork City Council) with particular reference to the south east corner of your premises and the Schedule of Dilapidations dated June 1999 which was served on you from this office.
We require confirmation from you within 14 days of the receipt of this letter that you will immediately take such steps as to remedy the breach of the above detailed covenant”

The POC won the final section of the High Court case 18 months ago and it was hoped the near loss of the Bonded Warehouses would have focused their minds as to the value of this site to Cork and the Country.
Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case as the building is in a state of near collapse.

Can the building survive to the end of the lease term?

BTW has anyone any pictures of this location? It always helps to see what we are talking about|

Here is one view of the bonded warehouse:

Oh its those things we’re talking about, thought it was something else.

TBH I hate the things 😀 Now maybe with a re-vamp they might look better but to me, they are some of the ugliest ‘old + savable’ buildings in Cork.

@THE_Chris wrote:

Oh its those things we’re talking about, thought it was something else.

TBH I hate the things 😀 Now maybe with a re-vamp they might look better but to me, they are some of the ugliest ‘old + savable’ buildings in Cork.

Doctor’s differ, patients die The_Chris, your view is, well, your view, however the Custom House Quay site is a Listed Heritage building and as such deserves some respect.
Tower Bridge in London is a boring building; Stonehenge should be knocked to make way for apartments with a view; the Roman Baths in Bath, Avon is the most foul smelling (sulphur) place in the UK; The hill of Tara is just that, a hill etc etc.

Some of us may differ on what makes a beautiful building but when they are included on a Listed / Protected register we all have a duty to look after them, otherwise we may as well have no planning laws at all?

The problems with Cork’s Bonded Warehouses go back many years, for example we wrote to the Port of Cork and the Cork Bonded Warehouses Ltd. as far back as 2000 outlining concerns, the following letter shows that claiming ignorance on the value of these buildings now will not wash.

24th March, 2000.
Mr. William O’Mahony,
Managing Director,
Cork Bonded Warehouses Limited,
Custom House Quay,
CORK.

RE: Your Lease dated 27th March. 1918.

Dear Mr. O’Mahony,

We received a copy of letter dated 25th from Mr. John Power, Building Control Officer, City Hall, Cork addressed to you.

As you are aware, under the terms of the 1918 Lease under which you hold the property there is an obligation on you that you “will (subject as hereinafter mentioned) well and substantially repair cleanse maintain amend and in good and tenantable repair order and condition keep the said premises and all new buildings and works which may at any time during the said tenure be erected on and all additions made to the said premises and the fixtures therein and the walls fences vaults roads sewers drains and appurtenances thereof with all necessary reparations cleansings and amendments whatsoever (damage by fire excepted) and the said premises so repaired cleansed maintained amended and kept as aforesaid will at the expiration or sooner determination of this demise quietly yield up to the Lessors together with all additions and improvements made thereto in the meantime and all fixtures of every kind in or upon the said premises or which during the said term may be affixed or fastened to or upon the same..”.

We now call upon you to comply in full with the above covenant having regard to the terms of the aforementioned letter from Mr. John Power, Building Control Officer, with particular reference to the south east comer of your premises and the Schedule of Dilapidations dated June 1999 which was served on you from this office.

We require confirmation from you within 14 days of the receipt of this letter that you will immediately take such steps as to remedy the breach of the above detailed covenant

We are awaiting from you.

Declan Owens
Port of Cork

In that case, it’s really time someone steps in and takes actual legal action before it’s far too late.
There’s far too much pussyfooting about when it comes to issues like this.

Can the local authority get involved ? or is the Port of Cork entirely responsible?

@MrX wrote:

In that case, it’s really time someone steps in and takes actual legal action before it’s far too late.
There’s far too much pussyfooting about when it comes to issues like this.

Can the local authority get involved ? or is the Port of Cork entirely responsible?

Cork City Council has a legal obligation to ensure that the Cork Bonded Warehouses do not fall into a state of disrepair.
Port of Cork holds the buildings in trust for the people of Ireland and has the power to force their tenants to maintain the building under the terms of the dilapidation schedule (at no cost to POC or the city).
Both parties are ultimately owned by the citizens of the state yet they show a scant regard for maintaining part of the city’s history.

I wonder sometimes if some fingers are not crossed hoping that the building would collapse or spontaneously combust?

The slated canopies – “Linneys”? – on the warehouses are an interesting surviving feature. That must be very rare in terms of industrial achitectural heritage.

@Devin wrote:

The slated canopies – “Linneys”? – on the warehouses are an interesting surviving feature. That must be very rare in terms of industrial achitectural heritage.

External evidence indicates that since the date of Protection / Listing no remedial work has been carried out on these important Linneys and that a warehouse building at the tip of the site (containing steelwork of architectural heritage) fell into such a poor state of repair that it had to be demolished.
It would seem from documentation held by CCC that the condition & safety of that now demolished warehouse was of concern to both Cork City Council & the Main Drainage contractors, but was curiously not specifically itemised for remedial work in Port of Cork’s schedule of dilapidations served on Cork Bonded Warehouses.
The fact remains that the repairing obligation was implicit within the lease and in the interests of asset husbandry neither party (but particularly Port
of Cork as Head Lessor) have exercised that obligation & they have jointly & jointly continue to allow the current state of dilapidation to arise.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but aren’t the bonded warehouses merely the yellow buildings off the main warehouses? (on the right, in the above photo).

I recall when this came up first in a thread last year and that was the conclusion we reached, so either that thread or this is wrong! 😉

Personally, I’d have no problem with those yellow warehouses being knocked, but it would be a crying shame for the main warehouses to fall any further into disrepair. Considering the glass ‘n’ metal monolith we’d be likely to see in their stead, it’s crucial that these buildings are maintained.

The Bonded Warehouses are the buildings down the centre, dividing the South Custom House Quay from the North Custom House Quay..
The yellow building is an ordinary warehouse added in the 1950s

@lawyer wrote:

The Bonded Warehouses are the buildings down the centre, dividing the South Custom House Quay from the North Custom House Quay..
The yellow building is an ordinary warehouse added in the 1950s

Strange, since the yellow building is the one with the “Bonded Warehouses” written on it.

Having followed this discussion in the past, I was again reminded of the potential of the bonded warehouse buildings in Cork when I saw how similar waterside structures in Sydney have been transformed to become boutique restaurants and craft shops, of immense benefit to local tourism.

Note the (new) canopies and the ships masts adding to the maritime feel. There is an historical tall ship, the Svanen, moored outside these warehouses, just out of frame to the left of the above picture. It’s a shame the likes of the Jeanie Johnston is now based in Dublin and we have nothing of the kind to display in our fledgling docklands development area.

Another perspective: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royskeane/475240605/
And another: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SydneyTheRocks2_gobeirne.jpg

Background info: http://www.sydneyontheweb.com/explore_sydney/content/Campbells_Cove/index.shtml
Detail listing on NSW heritage office website: http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_02_2.cfm?itemid=5053177

It seems that elsewhere in the world people actually give a damn about these historical buildings and can see the potential that lies within. When you see these buildings up close it is remarkable how similar (if not by design then by background) they are to the warehouses in Cork which are now in such a disgraceful state. How can those responsible for planning the multi-billion euro docklands strategy be given any credibility when such a central focal point of the city’s character is allowed to fall into such disrepair?

Wouldn’t it be great if the bonded warehouses in Cork could be carefully restored and protected and used for a tourism/leisure use like these?
What else can be done by the ordinary public to put pressure on the responsible parties?

@bosco wrote:

Having followed this discussion in the past, I was again reminded of the potential of the bonded warehouse buildings in Cork when I saw how similar waterside structures in Sydney have been transformed to become boutique restaurants and craft shops, of immense benefit to local tourism.

Note the (new) canopies and the ships masts adding to the maritime feel. There is an historical tall ship, the Svanen, moored outside these warehouses, just out of frame to the left of the above picture. It’s a shame the likes of the Jeanie Johnston is now based in Dublin and we have nothing of the kind to display in our fledgling docklands development area.

Another perspective: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royskeane/475240605/
And another: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SydneyTheRocks2_gobeirne.jpg

Background info: http://www.sydneyontheweb.com/explore_sydney/content/Campbells_Cove/index.shtml
Detail listing on NSW heritage office website: http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_02_2.cfm?itemid=5053177

It seems that elsewhere in the world people actually give a damn about these historical buildings and can see the potential that lies within. When you see these buildings up close it is remarkable how similar (if not by design then by background) they are to the warehouses in Cork which are now in such a disgraceful state. How can those responsible for planning the multi-billion euro docklands strategy be given any credibility when such a central focal point of the city’s character is allowed to fall into such disrepair?

Wouldn’t it be great if the bonded warehouses in Cork could be carefully restored and protected and used for a tourism/leisure use like these?
What else can be done by the ordinary public to put pressure on the responsible parties?

I fully agree with you bosco.
In Cork all that matters is money, not heritage, history, or plain common sense planning.
These listed heritage buildings should be protected under existing law, unfortunately POC and their cronies (only a few) in City Hall are rolling up the trouser legs, giving the “handshake” and sticking two fingers up to the people who pay their wages (and their junkets to see “best practice” in dockland designs.

That’s exactly how I (and I’m sure, most others) envisioned the quay being developed. It’d be great to have something at the east end of the island to draw people down from the South Mall/Parnell Place and bring some life to the area.

The only problem is it’s a bit isolated with the street (Albert St?) cutting across it – I presume some form of traffic calming/pedestrian priority would be needed. The addition of the boardwalk including bar and cafes on Lapps quay leave a nice pedestrian loop around the island tip.

@who_me wrote:

That’s exactly how I (and I’m sure, most others) envisioned the quay being developed. It’d be great to have something at the east end of the island to draw people down from the South Mall/Parnell Place and bring some life to the area.

The only problem is it’s a bit isolated with the street (Albert St?) cutting across it – I presume some form of traffic calming/pedestrian priority would be needed. The addition of the boardwalk including bar and cafes on Lapps quay leave a nice pedestrian loop around the island tip.

Wasn’t there a plan to put in a pedestrian bridge between here and the railway station? That would also draw more people / tourists to the eastern side of the city centre.

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

@crc wrote:

Wasn’t there a plan to put in a pedestrian bridge between here and the railway station? That would also draw more people / tourists to the eastern side of the city centre.

Yeah, but it would destroy the distinctive point of Morrisons Island.

@yotty wrote:

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

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?

@kite wrote:

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.

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.

@Hiivaladan wrote:

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.

@kite wrote:

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 ?

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.

@phil wrote:

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…

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.

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.

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.

Hot off the presses:

From South Dock’s Local Area Plan:

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

@bosco wrote:

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

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.

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

@Paul Clerkin wrote:

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

Will do, thanks Paul.

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

:mad: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.”

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

From the Cork thread:

@green_jesus wrote:

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?

@green_jesus wrote:

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”?

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/

@bosco wrote:

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.

any update on this?

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

@Jim Comic wrote:

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

Fantastic buildings with amazing cultural potential however they are falling down an dthe site is used as a Car Park.

These wouild be full of cafes and local artisans or a small museum if this was anywhere else.

Cork City Council and the Port of cork must have shelves weighed down at this stage with local aea plans and proposals for these amazing buildings in aspectacular location.

I am a final year Construction Management student at CIT and my final year project involves taking a hypothetical development through inception to completion taking into account all issues such as planning, design, and the economics of it.

The hypothetical development I am working on is a maritime museum with ancillary services. I am currently considering three sites: Bonded Warehouses, Custom House Quay; the Harbour Commissioners Port of Cork Warehouses, Lower Glanmire Road; and a third site for a completely new build. I intend on preceding with Bonded warehouses option.

I’ve seen plans for Bonded warehouses but it they have vaulted chambers on ground floor for storage and narrow external spiral stairs provide only access to 1st and 2nd floors. Anyone have any ideas on access? or fire concerns or floor layouts.

Costs, ownership or any other info at all or general comments would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
gbohr

Can’t help you on details I’m afraid, but I was at a concert on Saturday night in teh grounds of the bonded warehouse and was once again struck by the possibilities of the site. The building itself is very interesting but there is also a surprising amount of space around it.
A ferry link down to the harbour, including stops at Cobh and a re-opened Spike Island would fit excellently with a maritime museum use.

@Radioactiveman wrote:

Can’t help you on details I’m afraid, but I was at a concert on Saturday night in teh grounds of the bonded warehouse and was once again struck by the possibilities of the site. The building itself is very interesting but there is also a surprising amount of space around it.
A ferry link down to the harbour, including stops at Cobh and a re-opened Spike Island would fit excellently with a maritime museum use.

I was at the same concert, and it was a place I would never have thought of as suitable for such an event but it was well done. There is great potential on this site for something of real tourism value, maybe we will see more events like this thrown in in the future as well.

Yeah i tried for tickets for Coors Light Peak but didnt get any. Ive walked around the place and seen how much space there is and know its plan dimensions but have no idea of the elevations of floors and ceilings. Just out of interest: Was the concert on the northern side of bonded warehouse? and where was the stage situated?

Yes, right hand side with stage at the east end, so facing back into the City.

now that the clipper festival has finished, and the mooring/marina is in place at the bonded warehouses, are there any plans to develop them further, or is this another plan consigned to the rubbish bin?

a city centre marina is a good idea, and perhaps eventually a mooring coud be added on the north channel side, (though this could be retained for bigger boats/ships such as naval ships and older ships such as jeanie johnson).

on a positive note, at least they painted the warehouse wall facing albert quay. i suppose we should be thankful, but its just another example of papering over the cracks. they couldn’t even be arsed to paint the whole wall! 🙁

Anybody know what the story is with all of the cars on the site at the moment? Looks apocalyptic – by design or by default?

@Brian O Brien wrote:

Anybody know what the story is with all of the cars on the site at the moment? Looks apocalyptic – by design or by default?

It’s for an international fire rescue event.
The World Rescue Organisation’s World Rescue Challenge starts on Thursday. They’ll be spending days cutting people from cars.

Thanks – great to see the area being used – heard a rumour of a beer festival there in October

Port of Cork have submitted an application for planning permission (published in today’s Irish Examiner) for this site. It’s too long to reproduce completely, but the jist of it is:

Permission for the replacement of structurally unsound sections of the quay walls within the curtilage of the Custom House… and the demolition of warehousing which has become unsound due to the structural failure of the quay wall….Therefore…demolition of 874 m2 of warehousing and 200m of quay wall along the southern shoreline …plus removal of a 25m section along the eastern shoreline.
The existing stonework and paving materials to be recovered. Reconstruction of the quay walls and the ‘Berthing Man’s Hut’ building.

Seems like the demolition will be of the ‘modern’ section of the warehousing. No indication of any plans for the main warehousing on the site.

Cheers Radioactiveman. So I take it it’s more repair(/reconstruction) than demolition of the quay walls; and the only warehousing is the “new” yellow/orange building, not the main triangular building. That would actually be a plus, as it’d allow pedestrian access around the quay.

In the last few weeks, the yellow section of the building has finally been demolished.

What’s interesting is the different colour of the stone where it hadn’t been exposed to the elements. What’s there looks a lot more like traditional Cork limestone. Having not been up close, I don’t know if this is just because it’s cleaner or because lime was applied at some point.