developments in cork
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@corcaighboy wrote:
Given that we are on the subject of Cork Airport, what is the reaction to the new terminal? Last time I passed through, the cladding and glazing were almost complete. It does look good, but this should be a given considering the cost. HOK were the principal architects I believe, and I imagine the interior is well designed and functional. Originally, the plans called for the addition of a new control tower and a taxiway paralell to the runway, but these were ditched (probably not much need for them in any case).
Leaving aside the fact that the airport was built on top of a hill (fog, crosswinds, etc), there is limited room to expand the runways! And a new upgraded CAT III nevigation system would be expensive to implement given the geographic location.
Operationally, my real hope was EasyJet would expand their services and develop a base in Cork, and I am sure that Ryanair had them in mind when going on the Gatwick route. Aer Lingus have drastically improved their service in Cork over the past two years and they certainly cannot be blamed for the collapse of Jet Magic. I think Aer Arann got too complacent and their service standards were slipping in any case. Frequency was their real advantage but since that will soon deteriorate, the train looks like the best option once the hourly service starts off. Interesting times lie ahead.
Finally, an American friend recently flew into Cork, hired a car, and all was going swimmingly till they hit ‘The Magic Roundabout’. He called it the ‘the gates of hell’ but survived to tell the tale. I pity anyone, local or visitor, who has to navigate that. Surely it is the worst road design in Ireland.Aer Arann may in theory offer more frequent services, but texting me earlier today as I disembarked to say that my return flight this afternoon was delayed by an hour is not the way to win business.
I need dependability, and punctuality: both are attributes that Ryanair have in abundance compared to Aer Arann. Throw in speedier trips, more comfortable modern planes rather then the old Air Liberte cast offs that Aer Arann use, and finally fares that are half the price and frankly for business people it’s a no brainer.
And you can get the aircoach from the Airport to the centre of Dublin (which let’s face it, is a quite small city by European standards) for €4.
The submission date is gone and the OPW are expected to make a decision on the winning bid for the new Revenue Commissioners offices in Cork. The RC will seek to relocate to approx. 80,000sq ft of new offices, with a possible option on more, housing up to 600 staff relocated from their existing premises at Government Buildings on Sullivans Quay. A tender was opened for submissions on new office space for the RC at the start of the year (2005) with an original March deadline set for submissions – this date was subsequently extended until September 24th. The proposed deal between the OPW and the successful bid includes a land-swap of the 3/4 acre Government Buildings site on Sullivans Quay which homes the 8-storey office block, which suffers from subsidence issues. The developer who attains the site will acquire not only a long-term, valuable tenant for their office development, but also a superb city centre site capable of a large-scale, landmark development only a stone’s throw across the southern Lee Channel from Grand Parade.
A number of bids were submitted to the OPW – however I can reliably tell you that 3 bids in particular have been given very serious consideration, among them, Cork’s largest ever proposed office development at St. Patrick’s Quay by Paul Kenny, designed by Wilson Architecture. The Kenny development is currently the subject of a 3rd party and 1st party appeal.
The other entries include McCarthy Developments, with an 8-storey, 100,000sq ft office building designed by Oisin Creagh of Murray O’Laoire Architects, along Centre Park Road. The Shipton Group with a large-scale 80,000sq ft area of office space currently under construction at Blackpool Retail Park (however, it is understood that the Group are proceeding with the marketing of this project irrespective and have a number of interested parties lined up). Frank Sheahan & Joe Carey have also offered a site of theirs between Blackpool and the city centre. OFC are believed to have pitched their BTC office campus – but the OPW have expressed a preference for a city centre site and given a 2km max. distance from Kent Station as a qualifying dimension.
The Kenny development (which was tailor-made for the RC) would seem the popular favourite among many (given its landmark design, locational relevance and proximity to Kent Station – an OPW requirement) however, the ready to go nature of offers proposed, like that of McCarthy Developments and The Shipton Group may sway a final decision. The final decision will be a landmark coup for the winning developer, open up the option of another large-scale and exciting city centre development and quite possibly decide the fate of some prospective developments already proposed.
(McCarthy Developments Centre Park Road Office Development)as regards the patrick’s quay development do you see this going ahead if they don’t get the Revenue deal?? Would be a shame to lose this development.
@Leesider wrote:
as regards the patrick’s quay development do you see this going ahead if they don’t get the Revenue deal?? Would be a shame to lose this development.
With over 120,000sq ft of office space, subject to appeal success, it would be a big gamble as a stand alone all-in-one go project. However the development consists of 2 buildings interlinked. Mr. Kenny, may decide to build the development in phases and facilitate a more extended tenancy allocation period providing a greater degree of sustainability. One must consider that this project would be up against a number of other very large office projects coming on stream. However, given the tailor-made nature of the building, it is really up for question. One only Mr. Kenny I think could best answer. He has put a substantial investment it getting this project off the ground, from acquiring the neigbouring premises to refusing offers for his site of up to 8 and 10m euros. So if that’s a guide as to his confidence or his commitment to the project, you can interpret it yourself best. I do know the project is well thought of by the OPW.
anyone know whats going on the site directly opposite the side entrance to The Turners Cross tavern around the corner from the church? Supples are in there :confused:
@Pug wrote:
anyone know whats going on the site directly opposite the side entrance to The Turners Cross tavern around the corner from the church? Supples are in there :confused:
A new sheltered housing scheme for Cork City Council, including: Construction of 18 no. apartments incorporating 17 no. apartments on three floors and a community facility at ground level with 1 no. apartment overhead. Jack Healy, City Architect is behind the design.
*UPDATES*😮 Cumnor Construction have sought to increase their permitted Sunday’s Well apartment development, designed by Jack Coughlan & Associates by 5 further apartment units, from 22 to 27. 5 additional parking spaces are to be provided as well as increases in the size of 7 permitted units.
Has anyone seen the designs for the Eden development in Blackrock? Considering the hefty price tags (385,000+ for a mid-sized 2 bed apartment), I thought the design is nothing special. It actually looks a lot to me like ’70s council housing, except in good nick!
@Pug wrote:
cheers for that info re turners cross lex, you’re a beautiful human being
Flattery will get you everywhere with me! ]who_me[/B] I agree the design is nothing special – especially considering the price tags, which is a pity really. Very basic. Indeed the finishes may be good quality, but unfortunately they are not satisfactorily reflected on the outer design. Just my own opinion.
Lisney and Hooke & Macdonald are the slling agents for Eden in Blackrock. There is a dedicated website for the project but its not up and running properly yet. http://www.edenblackrock.ie
Eden Hall is the student accomodation at the Tennis Village on the Model Farm Road.
@lisam wrote:
Lisney and Hooke & Macdonald are the slling agents for Eden in Blackrock. There is a dedicated website for the project but its not up and running properly yet. http://www.edenblackrock.ie
Eden Hall is the student accomodation at the Tennis Village on the Model Farm Road.
And the Frank Ennis & Associates designed scheme at Eden Hall can be looked at here -> Eden Hall. The developers are Myraoak (David Corr, Joe McCarthy et al). Certainly, weighing up the various student developments around Cork, Eden Hall seems much more the ‘well-rounded’ project, with a generally strong design and mixed of activities from leisure to recreational to accommodation. Brian McCarthy Construction seem to have done a good job on the finishes also. Niall Fitzsimons were Consulting Engineers. The only bother about it, I would claim, is its peripheral location – although CIT is not too distant away.
We all knowledgable CAD people know, how one designs building like that:
1. Take some old dwg of fairly decent apartments
2. Mirror it in relation to X
3. Copy to the left
4. Mirror again along Y
5. Job readyCheers,
Hoborg
Apologises for the delay – but please find the RORSA designs for Barry O’Connor and Robert Kennedy’s Crow’s Nest redevelopment plan. The development includes 74 apartments over a dual-deck 112 space basement car-park; the building generally 6-storeys in height will include a 15-storey, 50m tower element, restaurant, bar and 4 large commercial units at ground floor.
I’ll let you decide for yourself. (Excuse the first image)
Perspective of the development from O’Neill Crowley Bridge (scanner blur/light penetration)
Carrigrohane/Northern Elevation Persepctive.
*UPDATES*😎 Bernard Crowley and Gerald Paul have submitted Significant Unsolicited Further Information on their original plans to construct a 6/7 storey building of 67 apartment units over basement car-park (44 space) and gym. Numerous objections have been lodged against the proposal destined for the former Riverside Farm on the Model Farm Road. The Dennehy + Dennehy designed building is located to the west of Rossbrook housing estate and across the road from the new Eden Hall Student development by Myraoak Limited, designed by Frank Ennis & Associates. The new proposal has made a number of reductions and alterations to floor-plans. Among the changes is a drop in height to 6-storeys max. The building then slopes lower backing toward Rossbrook to the east and south.
View of the western elevation along the Model Fram Road.
For those of you interested – I will update my last post on bidders for the new Revenue Commissioners office premises with an image of the McCarthy Developments (Tom and Michelle McCarthy) proposal (already cleared through planning) of a 100,000sq ft 8-storey office development along Centre Park Road (adjoining Centre Park House – McCarthy Developments HQ) on the former Goldcrop site. The building is designed by Oisin Creagh of Murray O’Laoire. To see images of the other rival bid, that of Paul Kenny, those images can be found earlier in this thread.
(McCarthy Developments Centre Park Road Office Development)Centre park road looks very nice. Sleek, modern, etc.
Crows nest….well….doesn’t!
Forget about its effect on a listed building (which makes it a big no, no) it looks a bit like a spanish block of holiday apartments to me. It would also have made more sense to group tall (but not as tall as presently proposed) buildings leading up to County Hall from either side. Would put the emphasis on County Hall.Using LEXINGTON’S IMAGE, I’ve highlighted just how much of an obstruction it will be to County Hall. I suppose we could argue whether or not County Hall should be oscured. I for one think it shouldn’t.
County Hall (what’s left of it) is highlighted in red.
I quite like the Crow’s Nest plans. I have to admit though, I’m firmly in the “let’s hide the County Hall” camp!
I’m not sure how we can group tall buildings together (as many people favour) if we also need to space them out to prevent views being obstructed. We have to pick one or the other – I’ve a coin ready to flip if anyone’s interested! 😉
Oh my God…. is that supposed to be a multi story car park? If they are going to block out County Hall, they might as well do it with something attractive… not a dirty old grey concrete building. I’m not all against it though, a few changes and it should look ok, but I’m sure someone will point it out to the planning authorities sooner or later. As for the building on Centre Park Road…. it’s really nice, very European, looks as if it was sent stright over from Brussels. And Eden Hall… student accomadation…. hmm, which do I prefer, Eden Hall or Victoria Mills…. hmm , that’s a hard one. It’s stunning, looks as if alot of time and money went into it, unlike it’s glorified shoebox friend Victoria Mills.
Is it just me or does anyone else think Reddy O’riordan staehli have dived lately these days. Is it the Reddy influence?? I dunno but i think the last thing they produced that was maybe somewhat decent was the new St. johns college. Everything else seems to have been boring boxy and bland. The Crows nest development is another clear example that joins the ranks of the Lavitts qy hotel (both designs!), CUH extension etc for bland design. Ive no problem with a tall building going up on the Crows nest site, in fact i think it should be taller to act as a proper landmark and not try and block off County hall half assed but properly, but if this is the design standard theyre going to produce, forget about it!
ps. Centre park road building looks very sleek indeed. Think McCarthys will go ahead and build it even if the Revenue go to Saint patricks qy??? Still prefer the Kenny proposal though, think its much better suited and REALLY hope it goes ahead. 🙂
I agree, you can’t beat the Kenny proposal for St. Patricks Qy. I really like it so so much, What’s the storey with Water Street? I haven’t heard anything about it in ages.
@A-ha wrote:
I agree, you can’t beat the Kenny proposal for St. Patricks Qy. I really like it so so much, What’s the storey with Water Street? I haven’t heard anything about it in ages.
An Oral Hearing date has been set for October 11/13th 2005 in the Gresham Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street, 10AM. A decision will then be made by ABP on November 24th 2005. Should a positive decision be forthcoming, Werdna will seek to get the project rolling not too long afterwards.
ewankennedy, indeed I also would have a preference for the Kenny proposal – however the McCarthy Developments plan for Centre Park Road is a good quality proposal and I would like to think McDev would proceed with it irrespective of the OPW decision.
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