developments in cork

@ewankennedy wrote:

The Ford site is 11 acres according to your last post on it. Clearly a site that big and in such a prominent location will require big imagination and big pockets. What developer do ya think could be up for taking such a project on????

I’d say the big want will be waterfront sites but Fords site seems pretty exciting too.

There are a number of possibilities – both locally and nationally who may be interested and well capable of a landmark redevelopment of what is some very ‘developable’ land.

Apparently, I’m told (with a little salt) that there are at least 4 bids on the site which comes in a just over 11 acres and which is guiding at approx. €20m. I personally wouldn’t particularly value the site at anything grossly in excess of the guide – but, given the potential scale of development with which the site may afford, that’ll be the decision of the successful bidder(s) to determine.

@A-ha wrote:

What would be the most likely thing to be put there if the area is redeveloped, apartments? On a scale of such size in a prime location of the city, money is to be made. But I can’t see developers rushing to the opportunity, it’s on a very big scale, who would be willing to take it on?

Manor Park Homes are redeveloping just under 17-acres with CIE along Horgan’s Quay. 2 other major developers (1 has had considerable speculation, with good cause, airing about it in recent times) will be tackling large scale sites in the southern docklands – and Howard Holdings have drawn up a masterplan and presented it to CCC regarding the south docklands, with the company in discussion to take on a considerable development opportunity estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.

At 11-acres, the Ford site is not the biggest single docklands holding. Tedcastles have designed plans for their sizeable riverside holding – although among their masterplans (their favoured scheme) is predominantly residential – up to 550 units along with commercial and educational elements (however, other plans are being assessed as well and Tedcastles may even decide to develop the site themselves given their development track record in places like the USA). The problem with residential development in the southern docklands spine is that the for any major exercise to be demonstrated, a rezoning may be needed to do so. Therefore, predominantly (but not strictly) commercial, institutional, leisure/commercial, retail etc developments are encouraged. I don’t see this as being a long-term rule – flexibility will likely be demonstrated on individual presentations, depending. That is to say, development according to each consultation and each individual proposal, may be acceptable for residential elements within a broader context. Developmentally, it makes viability more acceptable.

A number of developers are more than capable of taking on the site – in fact, it offers a very valuable holding. In any event, the prospect of its development – or lot-by-lot sale – will prove very attractive. These sites, especially of such ripe development quality, do not come on the market every day.

A list of local & national developers could adequately acquire the site. Adjoining sites are currently being assessed with notice on those sites expected to be issued by the year end. The preferential usage on the Ford site has been ‘educational/institutional’ but any proposal will be subject to consultation and is not strictly limited to this effect. UCC and CIT have expressed preference for further development in plentiful lands nearing Curraheen – that’s not to say they would rule out the Ford location, but does make it unlikely (lest I be proved wrong). Besides the usual suspects – groups like O’Brien & O’Flynn Limited have more than adequate ability to redevelop such a site to a high standard, it will be interesting to see if they would be willing to take a departure from their predominantly residential base and embark on a significant mixed-use proposal. Whatever way this site proceeds, a high standard of design is vital to ensure Cork’s docklands continue to promote the high standards already being set and do not fall into the lazy profit-driven, ill-considered schemes on display at other cities’ dockland developments. ‘Landmarks’, in the true sense of the word, incorporating strong, innovative design bring their own rewards beyond but including immediate returns – they can generate longer-term revenues.

@satanta99 wrote:

I’ve been out of the country for the last two months but I keep up to date with forum almost religously. What I am most excited about in the Cork Area is the Ballincollig Town Centre development. The shopping centre is due to come on stream in October, yet there has been very little information forthcoming about it. This would lead me to believe that maybe there is some trouble in filling all the 34 units. This is just my assumption but what does anyone else think? Can Ballincollig become a higher order retail centre?

80% of the units (SC units) were reserved as of June 2005. Including tenants Dunnes Stores, Easons, New Look, Hallmark et al. More info will be made available concerning the SC in the next few weeks. The SC is a ‘healthy’ mix of UK and Irish tenants, with one or two international names for good measure. Undoubtedly other remaining units will fill up over time. The opening date for the Shopping Centre is set for October 16th 2005.

I can see BTC SC falling into a category somewhere between Blackpool S.C. (unfortunate news that Mexx at Blackpool S.C. are seeking to wind-up operations at the centre with a potential relocation – according to staff – Mexx is a good name but would perhaps trade better in a location like Academy Street) & Wilton S.C. – with relatively good names, serving a predominant area interest, perhaps with some effective ‘pull’ names. The centre falls short of Mahon Point by some 70,000sq ft + (on that note, I was visiting MP today and was taken aback by just how much trade seems to have picked up at the centre, the word ‘jointed’ sprung to mind – this should be taken as a postive sign for OFC) at just touching on 170,000sq ft, hosting 34 units and 3 anchor stores.

OFC seem to have been careful to go for big, but not too big – the centre can fit into the niche nicely of town centre shopping facility – as well as a draw from further afield. The mix of tenants seems fine, but nothing exceptional thus far – the announcement of Dunnes Stores as main anchor tenant was a bit of a let down, but it should serve the area interest well and the other tenants should boost the attractiveness. Pity about the SC logo however – either way, I hope the centre will prove a success for OFC and have no doubt it will be.

The overall 500m euro BTC project will take until 2008 to complete, with over 130,000sq ft office space, 200,000sq ft retail, over 800 new houses, parks, walks, multi-storeys and so on. 4 design teams were involved in the project’s conception including The Building Design Partnership, Reddy O’Riordan Staehli, Hogan Associates and Wilson Architecture – the idea was to allow for varying styles and influxes of ideas to allow for a genuine town centre feel.

@ooshi wrote:

Anyone have any images of Paul Kenny’s Treasury Office Development? Or the Dairygold complex for Mallow? Thanks 🙂

By the way ooshi – not forgetting Alchemy Properties’ plan for Mallow – just got caught up with things and am still seeking to get images up! 😉 Am doing my best. If I can’t I’ll let you know by mid-week.