developments in cork

@daniel_7 wrote:

I was just thinking today and im surprised that there is no drive true restaurants around mahon point.Giving the amount of traffic that passes there every day and the fact that the food court closes early enough and there is land fronting the road (evan the sifco site) it would surely be good buisness to use the land for this use?This is another example of where Cork developments just fall behind on something!

The land to the west of Mahon Point is in line for redevelopment by O’Callaghan Properties as part of their overall masterplan for the area. A hotel element, as well as business and technology accommodation elements have also been planned.

The Sifco site is being redeveloped by John Cleary Developments for use as Car Showrooms and a 130,000sq ft office and retail development (recently in for planning), designed by Coughlan de Keyser.

@daniel7 wrote:

I was also wondering what is happening with the mannix site on washington street as it just hit me today how ugly it makes that part of the street look?

There is no scheduled movement on the Mannix site – which is a shame. Issues regarding tenancy leases and financing are undoubtedly a part hinderance. However, there are rumours that the site may go up for sale with F.P.P. It’s a wait and see scenario I believe.

@daniel7 wrote:

and one last thing,i read in the paper the other day again about how ballincollig sc could have let 3 times the amount of space with the demand but if this is true why is the line up not as impressive as it should be?

There is an element of truth in that – part of it is all marketing drive. However, I think retaillers copped on a little late – I understand O’Flynn Construction (OFC) will be lodging a further application to extend the shopping centre west and I have every confidence that they will fill these additional units with perhaps ‘bigger draw’ names. Then again, they have 70,000sq ft of additional retail space available in the ‘town centre’ element of the scheme yet to come available. Took a walk around the centre the other day, and it has materialised much better in the flesh I’m glad to say. The whole scheme will look very well when complete.

@daniel7 wrote:

the same gos for patrick st,if theres so much demand why are these empty properties not taken up when they come available?

The problem with Patrick’s Street is rent vs available space. There are many retaillers anxious to take up space in Cork, but many of the mentioned units are too small to justify the rent demanded or too small to meet store requirements full stop. Nonetheless, units are being picked up gradually by retaillers which traditionally seek small to medium sized units – most recently is the example of Schuh taking on the former ‘Favourite’ store, recently refurbished at 121 Patrick’s Street. Other units, such as ‘Pound City’, the former ‘McCarthy Travel’ unit and Photo Store have been acquired by a group with which Joe O’Donovan is involved and who have larger plans afoot.

@lexington wrote:

– also regarding OCP’s Academy Street development, OCP have apparently struck a deal with the Reidy-family (owners of Le Cheateau bar) whereby the bar will be retained in its current usage as is, but which will allow OCP utilise its valuable layout to able its Academy Street development further. See previous posts.

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As reported long ago in the LADSOCL thread – and following media reports – I can confirm that Le Cheateau will be part of the Academy Street redevelopment as stated above. This is despite some long-term media reports to the contrary.

@Tim Hennessy wrote:

Any images of the plans for the proposed retail development at Academy Street / Emmet Place / Patrick Street

In terms of a suitable photo-montage – no, not yet for posting anyway. I’m not entirely clear on the schedule of things here – but I will hope to have some images up in and around the time of lodgement.

@tomthevet2003 wrote:

Lex

I believe that no deal is done with the reidy family reagrding le cheateaux, and it was also reported in yesterdays evening echo that OCP have confirmed this and that le chateaux will remain.

I still believe that OCP will need part of the property i.e. the back bar which runs behind both sasha and the 2005 office in order to proceed but again dont believe that anything is happening here yet

Unfortunately I didn’t see that article in the flesh but was notified through correspondence that details were to be published. I haven’t seen any drawings/outlines etc etc of plans which include the bar – but details of its inclusion in some form have been submitted on a number of occassions by reputable sources, albeit vague. But if you have an inside track on the situation, I’ll take your word for it – I’m going by information afforded me. I take your point about the back-bar, indeed, it would be an important link, however I would argue that it is not essential for Patrick’s Street access, that can be utilised given other properties acquired – including the Taboo Bar and building currently occupied by The Jean Scene – as well as Faulkner’s Lane etc etc.

Below is a very rough outline of the Le Chateaux premises – in yellow. Note the back-bar area’s important layout fronting out onto Faulkner’s Lane.

@indubitably wrote:

Sorry meant to say here is that article

Thanks for that.

Clearly the nature of the structure (Le Chateau) warrants retention – not simply because of its use but its history. I’m interested to see how Gehl Architects and Project Architects work this structure internally into the overall development. My understanding is that there is a lot more interest in the back-bar linkage than the actual bar itself, as little can be done with that structure as a whole. Will be interesting to see internal drawings. Generally however, the consensus among involved parties have commented that the project is looking well.

@yorktown wrote:

Just saw photomontages of the Dunnes thing on Patrick Street that Bertie Pope is proposing……sorry, but does anyone else think that it looks like some huge ship has stuck itself in the back of the existing buildings on Patrick Street? Perhaps the worst presented building and proposal that I have seen….I really like the 2 floors of cladding sticking up on the roof…

I knew it reminded me of something… 😀 The recessed upper storeys on the Patrick’s Street elevation do look like a cruise-liner bridge, but that said I favour the design as is over some horrible red-brick or ‘mock-period’ monstrosity. At the very least, the design is not pretending to be anything other than what it is…and a ship. ][/URL]
Massing at roof-top can be just seen in this image of the northern elevation.

It may look standout-ish now, but thinking of it in the context of the Academy Street block, that redevelopment should lessen the impact. In a sense, there is a greater onus on the OCP proposal given its prominence, sight-lines and surrounding/constituent structures.