developments in cork

The New Year is upon us…

…how does 2006 look? Well, in my opinion, pretty good as far as progress is concerned. Of course, it all depends on the variables…interest rates, income, planning etc. Cork is facing the New Year with a new Director of Planning Services and a heightened awareness of what it is that’s going on. I don’t think I need to recap the comings and goings of 2005 – I think the thread can be browsed through sufficiently for people to note all that themselves…and though some very positive progress was made, I see 2005 very much as a ‘foundational’ year for 2006, similar to how 2003 was for 2004. :p
2006, it would seem, is lining up to be a very active one – and hopefully it will bring with it the better and the bolder… The development community, I believe, are waking up to the benefits and expectancies associated with design – some faster than others. At a national level, alliances like that of Edward Holdings and Douglas Wallace, for example, are exemplifying the importance of a good developer/design team relationship. Are we there yet? No…will 2006 help us get there? I hope so. Being perfectly aware of all the considerable variables that contribute to a ‘successful development’ – I continue to stress that good design should always be seen as an investment and not a restraint. Good design is increasingly demanded and expected by the masses as they’re awareness and recognition of architecture grows. The progress of this website is representative, in my view, not least of the contributions of its participants but also of growing public interest in the subject field. Of course issues of finance strongly dictate actions, even so, homes, workplaces, leisure facilities and so on are increasingly reflections of one’s lifestyle – and not simply the proverbial ‘roof over one’s head’ or ‘place to do business’ they once were; they are projections of a light in which one wishes to be seen – whether you are a homeowner, business, retailler, guest or whatever – and developers are slowly copping this…and if not, they need to be. Recent publications by the likes of Hamilton Osbourn King, Sherry FitzGerald and CBRE Gunne have all backed this mentality. The argument regarding perceptions of good architecture can ramble on ’til time tolls no more – the fact is, the new Ireland is demanding higher standards.

Good architecture does not necessarily require ‘landmark’ buildings left, right and centre – the term ‘landmark’ is flaunted around far too casually these days – but it does require thoughtfulness, innovation, respect, foresight and identity.

In 2006, developers have an opportunity to build on this new environment – the leading edge developers have recognised the demand and are acting on it, though their success will always be a matter for debate among the masses. Irrespective, the need to push higher is evident and steps made need to be encouraged and promoted – planning authorities and the public (market) are requesting more. Developers who associate themselves with good design are generally recognised, if not publicly – amongst their peers, partners and market reception. I would hope recognition of this continues to grow and see realisation in the coming year.

So, in Cork, what is there to look forward to?

Well… Eglinton Street is scheduled to commence construction within the early New Year, the highly anticipated Academy Street proposal is expected to see the Planning office within the coming weeks, a decision on Water Street is expected to be made in March, the Rothbury Estates application for Sunbeam will also do the rounds at Navigation House, construction on a new home for the Revenue Commissioners in Cork is expected to get go, an application for Anderson’s Quay and 16 Lavitts Quay, an outcome to the Crow’s Nest redevelopment proposal, the opening of Cork Airport’s new terminal, perhaps Manor Park Homebuilders and O’Mahony Pike Architects will lodge their first application on Horgan’s Quay in the not too distant future, later on in the year we could expect planning applications for Carrigrohane Road (Oyster Developments) and maybe the large retail plan for Grand Parade and surrounds, movement on Grand Parade Plaza, an application on Albert Quay, an outcome to the Precinct Investments plan at the Metropole, work getting a right move on Cornmarket Street, work continuing at Lancaster Quay, a city centre and a docklands surprise or two(!), movement on Victoria and Dennehy’s Crosses, a suburban retail/mixed-use initiative, Ladyswell (CitySquare), Clontarf Street, the long-awaited and badly needed Parnell Place/Beasly Street development currently held up in appeal, plans for Douglas Village redevelopment – and many more…

…also, we can expect a bit of a shake-up among the generally ‘local associated’ development groups as increased outsider activity emerges in the Cork market.

I hope 2006 will prove itself to be a positive year for the city in more ways than one – with acknowledgement of the pressure for good design through increasing numbers of distinguished architecturally sound proposals finding realisation. Not every building can or will be a Glucksman Gallery, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have – or should have – a few more. :p Let’s make 2006 a progressive stepping point in the furthering of better architectural and product standards.

Let’s hope this year is a prosperous one, and noteworthy for all the right reasons.

Happy New Year to you all.

Lexington

@Maskhadov wrote:

with Cork moving the port out of the city to Ringaskiddy what are the plans for the old port location ? Are they going to develop a waterside development ?

As you can imagine Maskhadov, the relocation process involved is an extensive one. Effectively, the transfer of many port activities to the Port of Cork lands at Ringaskiddy is a phase by phase process with an estimated cost of €200m. Most likely, and perhaps within the coming months – subject to discussion outcomes – the PoC will seize it’s limited operations along Horgan’s Quay on the northern docklands. This would clear the way for a €500m phased development along the 17-acre lands at Horgan’s Quay (controlled by CIE but which was passed onto to Manor Park Homebuilders for redevelopment purposes). The first application for this redevelopment is expected this year – in the project’s entirety, up to and possibly over 1,000 new high density homes are to built, a major commercial/retail core, redeveloped Kent Station for CIE with new Bus Station and reoriented terminal to face the waterside, 2 new plazas, a new National Route and 400metre boardwalk running the length of the quay – O’Mahony Pike Architects are working on this project. There is talk and work looking into an Event Centre element also, but that outcome remains to be seen. Further east along the northern quays, Werdna Ltd are still in appeal for 304 residential units with a 17-storey feature tower, new riverside promenade, commercial facilities, 30,000sq ft of business & technology space, 400+ basement car-parking etc all at a site off Water Street – designed by Murray O’Laoire. Water Street is also the subject of a new bridge to be facilitated by Cork City Council. To the west of Horgan’s Quay, various projects are in the pipeline. Along the southern docklands, progress is on-going behind the scenes – at the same time, a South Docklands Area Plan is under formation. For the time being, The Beverly Smyth Group have planning in for 104 residential units over a series of blocks, 30,000sq ft of Business & Technology uses and the like, McCarthy Developments have an 8-storey office building of 100,000sq ft designed by Murray O’Laoire ready-to-go and which had been in contention for the new Revenue Commissioners home in Cork. McCarthy Developments may also have other plans – as do Howard Holdings, whose recent €25m + purchase of the 11-acre Ford site issues another solid step in the company’s ambitions to redevelop a significant quarter of the Cork Docklands region in a project estimated at €500m+, the company are also in discussion to acquire a nearby 10-acre waterfront site owned by Tedcastles Holdings. Quiet discussions are on-going about 2 other significant waterfront sites (1 of which will probably relocate too) in the south docklands which I hope can be commented on later – also a further office development is being pitched for an acre site along Monahan’s Road, sometime in the New Year.

All in all, workings are being issued, and the Cork Docklands has a long way to go – effectively, it is the creation of a new city and for its full realisation, will require many more years ahead.