Bonded Warehouse at Custom House Quay, Cork

@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.

@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.

@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.

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?

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 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 ?

@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…

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.

Hot off the presses:

From South Dock’s Local Area Plan:

@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