developments in cork
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i actually tawt it was today too radioactiveman (the goggles do nothing!!!) 😉 but im open to be corrected on that too. if im wrong i will drag myself out of the office, whack myself across the head with a 4×4 no fewer than 7 times and then handcuff myself to the bumper of the next car i see parked outside a church with a cheap homemade sign in its rear window saying ‘just married’. hmmm….sounds like my bachelor party!
whatever date it is the ladyswell project will add tremenduously to what has become a pretty rundown area of da ‘pool, a buddy of mine says that all going well (when the bord do decide to make up their mind) that the project will get moving immediately. think the developers are anxious just to get this baby off the ground. and maybe the grand parade project will f-f-f-finally get buzzing! puhlease! i pass that site everyday in visual anticipation of seeing a william o’briens parked outside and bits of a green tower crane waiting to be assembled!!!!!!!!! hehe
(oh and sorry bout the gratuitous violence portrayed above in me first paragraph – i grew up watching tom & jerry, it’s all i know – now if you’ll excuse me, i’m off to sellotape a frying pan to my pet mouse’s paw and a baseball bat to my pet cat’s paw…and watch the comedy ensue!) :p
😎 @Pug wrote:
any more news on the decision due on the apartments for tramore road at the former Keatings Bakery?
John Keating’s plans for the former Keating’s Bakery along the Tramore Road, which were due a decision yesterday (17th August 2005) have now been pushed back to mid-December decision date. The proposals for the project include the construction of 40 apartments over a 60-space basement car-park. The scheme is designed by Colum Murphy & Company and is proposed to be arranged over 4 individual blocks.
🙁 Frinailla, who were due a decision yesterday (August 17th 2005) from ABP regarding their Ladyswell (or City Square as I believe it will be called) development along the Watercourse Road – will now have to wait a little longer for news to be made of their plans. The Bord have pushed the due date on the project back until October.
😎 Also, Niall & Sheila Doris (of the Beverly Smyth Group) will have to reapply to CCC with their application for 104 residential units and a 30,000sq ft business/technology centre at their Nat Ross premises along the Monahan Road in the South Docklands. The SDA O’Flynn design (J. Horgan & team) will arrange the development over 5 linked buildings ranging from 4 to 10 storeys (1 6-storey, 1 10-storey, 1 8-storey and 2 4-storey blocks) – over basement car-parking. Also included in the application will be plans for a creche and 5 2-storey terraced houses. The original application was proved ‘invalid’ and a new application will be lodged soon – with a rescheduled due date.
😮 Finally, Dixons are believed to be taking up residency at a 2,000sq ft store in Ballincollig Town Centre, OFC have finalised a deal on the electrical goods retailler’s first Cork store – however, sister-stores Currys & PC World will be locating to Phase 2 of Mahon Point’s Retail Park.In my opinion, one of the most significant and impressive developments to hit Cork has been The Shipton Group’s Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park. Since the Love-family controlled group acquired the 11-acre Polefield (which was once nothing much more than a mix of marsh and wasteland) in Blackpool – this northern suburb has been dramatically altered, and thanks may be largely attributed to The Shipton Group.
In 1997, the group’s subsidary Blackpool Developments applied to develop a 10,993sq m on a triangular site to the south of the Polefield, bordered by Dublin Street and the routeway of what was then the proposed link-road (which ultimately became the Blackpool By-Pass). Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan (KOBW) were the architects and the project was greenlit by CCC on March 4th 1998 – it would be one of the most important strategic decisions the then Corporation would make in many years. After a brief scare of an appeal threat (which was later withdrawn), construction was rapid on the shopping centre, completing ahead of schedule. The Shipton Group were careful in choosing their tenants – they provided a healthy mix of local services/need provisions while maintaining a quality backbone. Dunnes Stores anchored the 65,000sq ft main tenant unit, with other strong names like Peter Mark, O’Briens, The Jean Scene, Golden Discs and Adams all included in the blend. The S.C. was a regenerative catalyst to a historic area that had been subjected to years of neglect and economic troubles. Aided by the newly opened By-Pass, the ‘Old Centre’ of Blackpool was freed of it’s horrific traffic congestion and allowed for more pedestrian friendly environments to be developed. It also encouraged a rejuvenation of the historic core area, much due at first to CCC, but later by lines of private developers and brought back in a stronger presence of residential tenants to newly refurbished or constructed schemes. Much was made of the ‘Living over the Shop’ style arrangements – allowing for local stores, butchers, hairdressers etc retain an active presence in the historic core – whilst allowing for bulkier service elements and traffic flows divert to the S.C. – which was now a powerful service and employment driver in the area.
The success of the shopping centre was something of a calculated coup for The Shipton Group and encouraged their progression on a new €100m scheme which took the shape of the Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park – work began in late 2003. The multiphased development has continued to strengthen the economic, social and leisure conditions of the region – and in little doubt, the entire project (including S.C.) have been encouragement for the host of other schemes that have materialised, and continue to materalise in this once jaded suburb. Joe Carey & Frank Sheahan’s large-scale apartment development, Blackpool Bowl & Leisure’s new facility, Sidney McInheney’s new plans – to name but a few ~ all this positive investment led Cork City Manager Joe Gavin to state that within 10 years, he predicts that Blackpool will be one of Cork’s most sought after addresses!
Blackpool Park has attracted strong quality tenants such as Argos, Atlantic Homecare, Maplin, Reid’s Furniture, Land of Leather, Lifestyle Sports, Costa Coffee and so on – it is widely compared, and favoured to the similar scheme at Mahon Point. Why is this? Perhaps because what The Shipton Group have done is created a new community, perhaps, a new town centre of sorts with a healthy balance and quality design – there is leisure (Reel Multiplex, new Public Park etc), well planned accessible car-parking and link routeways, residential elements (under construction), offices (more under construction) and the obvious retail – all within a tight, closely knit area so that there is a healthy interaction between all aspects of life. A recent visit to the Park confirmed this to me, the place was a hive of activity – and not simply beneath the 2 dizzying tower cranes working on Phase 2 – of consumers, diners, cinema-goers and so on. Discussions with some of the tenants have confirmed good trading.
The Shipton Group continue to contribute to the Blackpool community – recently, they donated €250,000 to Cork2005, under condition that over half would be focused on cultural uses within the Blackpool community – such as the Fado Fado exhibition currently running at the Blackpool S.C. Commercial Building.
Phase 2 of Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park – under construction, as visible from Blackpool By-Pass (city bound).Talk that The Shipton Group are bidding for the new Revenue Commissioners offices are true, however, I believe (in my personal opinion) perhaps the RC would be better located at somewhere such as Paul Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Quay plan. The Group have been successful thus far in attracting tenants for their office schemes – recently a large number of high-profile tenants, among them DL Safety and KOBW announced their intentions to relocate to the Park. I understand it is the intention of the Group to seek to fill their office space on-going irrespective of the RC designation – and with such a strong product on offer, I believe they will be better served and highly successful in this route – and deservedly so. 🙂
Compliments to Lexington on his excellent ‘review’ of Blackpool Shopping Centre and Retail Park. It does leave Mahon Point way behind.
To my mind, one of the greatest features of the area, is that the old part of Blackpool, Thomas Davis Street, Great William O’Brien Street and such, have still been able to retain their character whileall around them, things have changed beyond belief.Yes, very impressed by all the information on Blackpool lex. Dixons coming to Cork, I thought as much when I heard PC World was opening. I would have expected Dixons to look for a city centre location though, but opening in Ballincollig might balance things out. PC World and Currys in Mahon, Maplin and Soundstore in Blackpool, Harvey Norman at the former Woodies and now Dixons in Ballincollig. What a perfect layout! 🙂
Just on the little add-on mentioned in my last post about Paul Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Quay project – should he be successful in attaining the enviable tenancy of the Revenue Commissioners next month (September 24th 2005 – as far as I know, feel free to correct) – as part of the deal, Mr. Kenny will also attain the Government Buildings premises on Sullivans Quay ( a 3/4 acre site). This is a highly desirable site in many respects (although some foundational issues need first to be addressed), especially for Mr. Kenny considering the proximity of his Citi-Car Park site at 50 Grand Parade across the River Lee’s South Channel. Scope exists here for a substantial development – which could ring ‘bonanza’ across the board for the Kenny Group. Mr. Kenny who previously applied for a development of apartments, offices, hotel and multi-storey car-park on the 50 Grand Parade site (among other intentions) was granted permission following appeal for his 2000 application, but subsequently withdrew 2003 plans for a student element on the premises – PRC Architects had been attached to the design. Revisions had been assessed on the site – and not so long ago either. Mr. Kenny had hinted the site would be nice for a large city centre hotel – I agree that it would – however with the Clarion, Jurys, Parnell Place, Crosses Green, new Radisson, Hilton Hotel @ MP, extended Kingsley Hotel all present/under development or to be developed – plus with hotels greenlit for the Heiton Buckley site bracing the Ballincollog By-Pass and AbsoluteHotel.com for the Airport Road, a calculated approach will need to be adopted should this route be taken. However it may indeed work very well as part of a larger mixed use project – and what are the possibilities of a link up with the Sullivans Quay premises? The Government Buildings site offers the possibility of a high-density landmark building/complex (reaching up to 9-storeys – city centre ceiling height). Retail, leisure and residential all present options here – however any development to be undertaken on this site will have MAJOR pressure on it to create a high quality design given the disdain that seems embedded toward the existing structure. Big imagination will be needed – I would stress thinking outside the normal boxes. Here exists the opportunity for a development that would bring Cork it’s own Metreon (such as that in SF) style development.
@lawyer wrote:Compliments to Lexington on his excellent ‘review’ of Blackpool Shopping Centre and Retail Park. It does leave Mahon Point way behind.
To my mind, one of the greatest features of the area, is that the old part of Blackpool, Thomas Davis Street, Great William O’Brien Street and such, have still been able to retain their character whileall around them, things have changed beyond belief.@A-ha wrote:
Yes, very impressed by all the information on Blackpool lex. Dixons coming to Cork, I thought as much when I heard PC World was opening. I would have expected Dixons to look for a city centre location though, but opening in Ballincollig might balance things out. PC World and Currys in Mahon, Maplin and Soundstore in Blackpool, Harvey Norman at the former Woodies and now Dixons in Ballincollig. What a perfect layout!
Thank you both. 😮
C’mon lads! Cant we get this thread the 5 stars it deserves?? give it yer vote! hehe
I do hope St. patricks qy gets the Revenue commissioners. It makes sense location wise and would be a great addition to the city centre.
On Blackpool I agree, i live nearby and its a great asset to the area. Far better than Mahon point.
I have voted, it doesn’t make a difference, I think someone like PaulClerkin must do it….. And some of ye should give a post now and then in the Most beautiful building in Cork forum. 😀
i voted too. my first time to vote actually since i joined in oct 2004. 🙂
I’d agree with Lexington as regards Blackpool SC/RP. It’s far supperior than Mahon Point but just doesn’t get the hype.
One of the big problems facing the area now is the lack of a decent public transport system. The number three is the lifeline for most public transport users- the number 5 timetable was britally butchered a few years ago. Even now, with the re-generation of Watercourse road, number 3 is severely diverted- albeit temporarily.
Of course the area has been promised the return of the train station at KIlbarry, however without onward links from Kent Station to other areas of the city, this will be next to useless for residents.—The ABP decision on Frinailla’s Lady’s Well is now due on the 13th of October.–
O’Callaghan properties have indicated that the space used as a temporary Gallery in their new Lavitts Quay development (21 Lavitts Quay) may become a permanent fixture after Cork 2005 ends.
The exhibition space is currently playing host to Sebastião Salgado and Simon Norfolk exhibitions. They gallery is a huge success and has been praised for its location and the bright, simple space it makes available to artists.
Keeping with things cultural, a temporary Scaffolding has been erected in the River at the North Mall to facilitate the start of THE LEE SWIM which takes place this Saturday at 4 pm.
Blackpool Developments have applied for permission to alter a previously granted scheme (TP: 05/29320) which was to demolish a period house at 45/46 Dublin Street in order to construct a childcare centre on the ground floor and an apartment at the first floor.
The proposed changes seek to allow the option of the use of the new building for a creche at both the ground and first floor and importantly, access from Blackpool Shopping Centre (which is immediately to the rear of the house. The creche would serve a total of 50 children aged 0 to 6 years and would have opening hours of 8am to 7pm. The total gross floor area of the proposed development is 279m.sqAs I mentioned above, I believe Blackpool Shopping Centre /Retail Park has been largely beneficial for the Blackpool area as a whole. One of the main reasons for this is that the developers made use of barrren wasteland which was made accessible by the Blackpool bypass. This development is totally different as it seeks to ‘eat in’ to the historic streetscape in the area. The house to be demolished is a fine example of period housing in the area and permission should never have been granted for its demolition.
:confused: John Sisk & Sons Ltd, who had been in planning for a 6-storey, 93-bedroom hotel on their lands along the Kinsale/Airport Road at Ballycurreen have withdrawn their application. A decision had been scheduled for August 18th 2005, but was instead withdrawn from the planning process after months with Cork County Council. Operator AbsoluteHotel.com had been gearing up to operate the business focused hotel within close proximity to both the city centre and Cork Airport. It remains to be seen whether a fresh application will be sought – though no word seems to be of it, at least yet.
See Post #298 for further details of the project.
Great review on Blackpool Lexington, I think they have done a fantastic job in creating somewhere that has something for everyone aswell as creating plenty of jobs also. As I live five minutes away I would have loved it when I was younger with so many things to do now down there and I was always envious of douglas cos they had everything now its the other way around and Douglas is envious of Blackpool. I am also looking forward to Ballincollig and Mallow because they will create new centres for people to socialise and shop in. Does anybody know of any tenants going into mallow as I’m moving nearby in the new year I know that Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee are going in there and I think Tesco are the main tenants plus I heard that Penneys are looking for a spot but who else is going into John Flemings Market Square.
@Radioactiveman wrote:
I’d agree with Lexington as regards Blackpool SC/RP. It’s far supperior than Mahon Point but just doesn’t get the hype.
One of the big problems facing the area now is the lack of a decent public transport system. The number three is the lifeline for most public transport users- the number 5 timetable was britally butchered a few years ago. Even now, with the re-generation of Watercourse road, number 3 is severely diverted- albeit temporarily.
Of course the area has been promised the return of the train station at KIlbarry, however without onward links from Kent Station to other areas of the city, this will be next to useless for residents.Don’t even get me started on public transport in this city again. It get’s me into all sorts of trouble. Although my ingenious plan of a tolleybus using the subway map courtesy of the Peoples Republic of Cork was brilliant. Have a look back in page 7 of this forum. TolleyBuses are the way to the future! :rolleyes:
Also, Penneys would be good in Mallow. It’s a good shopping town as it is, but the Dunnes is tiny (like people cant drive to the next Dunnes in half and hour anyway). securityman, forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t know there was a Pizza Hut opening in Mallow. I don’t recall ever seeing a McDonalds there, and I would have thought they would have got first dibs.
🙂 As one Bowen Construction tower crane descends over SHUL’s Tellenganna Lodge 60,000sq ft office development in Blackrock (near the south docklands), designed by Wilson Architecture – another is set to be erected, the first over OCP’s Lanacaster Quay (Jurys) redevelopment. Pieces are being compiled around the new 182-bedroom 6-storey Jurys Hotel site – readying to be lifted into the skyline soon.
😮 I can now confirm, the earlier speculation, that the Muskerry Service Station (Esso) along the Western Road, and just across the river from the Jurys redevelopment was indeed sold for a price tag in excess of €8m. The .6 acre site will continue operating as a service station until December 2005 (originally it was scheduled to close and be dismantled in October) – an application is currently being designed on the site.
🙂 Niall Doris has re-applied to CCC with the €50m Nat Ross redevelopment plan including 104 residential units in 5 linked blocks ranging between 4 and 10-storeys, with business centre of over 3500sq m, creche and basement car-parking. A decision is now due for October 13th 2005. SDA O’Flynn are the architects.@A-ha wrote:
Also, Penneys would be good in Mallow. It’s a good shopping town as it is, but the Dunnes is tiny (like people cant drive to the next Dunnes in half and hour anyway). securityman, forgive my ignorance, but I didn’t know there was a Pizza Hut opening in Mallow. I don’t recall ever seeing a McDonalds there, and I would have thought they would have got first dibs.
There is a McDonalds there already across the way from that tiny dunnes you are on about plus they have O’Briens. I read a while back that Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee were going in there because MBCC foods the scottish company who own the rights to these outlets are basing themselves in Little Island and seem to like Cork considering that the first two Costa Coffees in this country are in Cork so fair play to them for not choosing Dublin first for a change.
hmm, I never noticed the McDonalds there, although I went into the O’Briens. I always rate towns on what shops and restaurants they have in them. Thats why I’m not much of a fan of Waterford. Only one shopping centre in the city centre and no Marks and Spencers. Like I shop there (yeah right). But you know what I mean. It also must rely on McDonalds as it’s only source of fast food and I’d die without a Virgin Megastore or an FCUK shop….. die! But i have to say, Waterford did beat Cork to the punch in having a PC World first along with Limerick. I’m pleased aswell about Costa Coffee’s decision to open in Cork first. It’s a nice change rather then Dublin.
I hit 100 posts…. Now I’m all grown up!
For those of you anxious to take a look at the finished product – below, please find a link to the Scott Tallon Walker website, detailling the new Howard Holdings WebWorks on Albert Quay – to the rear of Albert House. The project is currently ripping through construction with John Paul Construction on site – and will front the quayside with OFC’s impressive Wilson Architecture designed Eglinton Street project to the rear – which peaks with a stylish 17-storey, 70m tower in the south-western corner of the 3-acre former An Post site.
Howard Holdings are developing the WebWorks project on lands ‘leased’ from CCC – the office units will be subsequently leased back out to appropriate start-up IT and Business enterprises appointed by Enterprise Ireland.
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