developments in cork
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The boarders are up and the site is being readied – after much controversy among the residents of Westend, Curraheen and Bishopstown, the Kelleher-family are steaming ahead through their vehicle 3G Construction on the Frank Ennis Architects designed scheme formally known as The Courtyard. The gated community of pleasantly designed residencies is set for a Phase 1 launch in Autumn 2006 through agents Sherry FitzGerald. A limited mix of units will be available in layouts comprising of 4, 3 and 2-bedroom townhouses, 3 bedroom duplexes and 1 & 2 bedroom apartment units.
Frank Ennis Architects have been employed by the Kelleher on previous exercises which include the redevelopment of the Bishopstown Bar before they sold the successful premises on for a reported €8million.
The developers are now preparing plans for a scheme predominantly pitched at medical services clients on a site including the former Bishopstown Esso station near Cork University Hospital which they purchased for an estimated €2million +. The new scheme may extend up to 100,000sq ft in floor space.
😎 John & Michael O’Dwyer have appealed their reduced scheme along Hanover Street – lodged in 2 component applications. The proposal, designed by James Leahy & Associates originally sought permission for a mix of 23 one and two-bedroom apartment units over 6-storeys – but was reduced on grant by 2 floors. A 3rd Party appeal on behalf of Capital Hill Limited (associated with well known local businessmen) has also been lodged against the project.New €117million train carriages blocked by unions
Iarnród Éireann are delaying the introduction of new trains for the
Dublin-Cork service due to industrial relations matters, Platform 11
(Ireland’s rail passengers organisation) can reveal.The 67 Cork Dublin Express coaches have been testing since their
delivery in July 2005, with a cost of €117 million to the taxpayer.
The carriages will be used to eventually provide an hourly service on
the Dublin-Cork route from December 2006, not December 2005 as first
proposed.Although coaches normally need to undergo testing before entering
service, Platform 11 is aware of no safety issues which prevent
introduction of the new coaches, which are badly needed to ease
overcrowding as well to finally removed unreliable steam-heated
carriages over 40 years old that are still being used on some
services.Iarnród Éireann plan to replace the role of train guards with a new position
of ‘train manager’. Train guards are refusing to accept this change
and are blocking the introduction of the new carriages, even though
they can be seen daily by passengers on antiquated, cramped trains as
they pass the Iarnród Éireann works in Inchicore.The new carriages were initially planned to be entered into service in
December 2005, with successive Iarnród Éireann spokesmen pushing the
date back first to January, then March.Platform 11 is calling on unions and Iarnród Éireann to find a solution to
their squabbles so that rail passengers can benefit from the first new
intercity carriages since 1984. Unions have a long history of resistance to
improvements in service, from longer DART carriages to extension of
services to Greystones and new trains on the Maynooth line. Equally as
these carriages have been on order for years we do not see why Iarnród
Éireann has not dealt with this issue at an earlier stage.ends
FYI
I was driving home yesterday evening and decided to take a meandering route to take in some of the new building stock coming on stream around Cork.
First off Victoria Cross: the mask of scaffolding seems to be coming off the new student developments there. One by Flemings and the other being the second phase of Victoria Mills. Surprisingly the University Hall scheme by Flemings and UCC, I think Bertie Pope was the architect here, is not as bad as its renders would suggest. Now having said that, its far from inspiring and unduly boxy but its finish colouring and use of timber cladding liven it up somewhat. The big question will be how long will the timber remain so shimmering. A poor development but in light of its neighbours, a little better. The second phase of Victoria Mills however is so far an utter joke. They somehow someway seemed to have managed to design a building that actually makes the first phase of Victoria Mills seem positively delightful in comparison. This is pure muck…and the coincidentally the same colour as muck, finished with a ghastly brown brick coat. This is pure lazy, facless architecture and this is another reason which makes you wonder what goes through planners heads. Think architect was Derek Tynans…bargain basement stuff.
Despite all the giving out about the new Webworks near City Hall. On seconds looks its actually not so bad. I really like the Eglinton Street elevation and its relation to Albert House is considerate. I still don’t like the grey frame finish, but the building as a whole grows on you. I think it will look better a less prominent when the rest of the quay is redeveloped. The night time lighting along Eglinton Street is nice too.
Though its only nearing its outer frame completion I have to say I think the new Jurys on the Western Road looks well. In the context of the entire scheme it should work fine. Its nothing spectacular but it is a simple, far more subdued project than I think many thought it would be. The finish materials are bright and a nice change to many of the useful finishes around Cork.
However the project that caught my eye most was out in Blackpool. Hegratys are finishing the latest office building at Blackpool Retail Park. This prominent and large structure is a little blocky and over-bearing in parts but its so bloody bold you have to like it. Kelly O’Brien and Whelan architects have played around with shapes like the overhanging roof sections on the tower points of the building. Its exaggerant and probably shouldnt work. I’m sure many will argue it doesn’t – but I still think it represents one of the bolder office projects in Cork to be yet completed.
Also thanks for that news Thomond. CIE continue to baffle me. And still no word on Horgans Quay either.
Is it just me or are things quiet at the moment? Can only think of 2 projects of any real excitement that have been lodged since the start of 2006? Academy street and Good shepherd convent. I think it was kinda the same at the start of last year and then picked up nicely but it still seems quite. God knows it seems like now is the time to be building in Cork!!
Too quiet Mr K. The Corpo website claims that Good Shepherd is due a decision today – anyone with the inside track on this?
I know I keep asking, but I never seem to get an answer…… What’s the story with PC World, Currys, Halfords and the Hilton….. all due to open in Mahon Point, but when? I see a Halfords sign up, but nothing when it comes to the others. Not long before the new terminal opens on May 10, fingers crossed that Cork will end up debt-free.
@d_d_dallas wrote:
Well a certain Cllr has been selected to run for the Dáil by their party. Does this mean their interest in planning matters in the Bishopstown area has served its purpose? It will be interesting to see if the same issues become relevant when competing for a national role.
🙁
My father and mother are csd supporters, good old Jerry it seems asked for csd backing for the election but he was told where to go with his bleating as he is not “Hard Core†enough for these guys!!, God help this city.Was along Cornmarket street today and i’m still amazed at the snail-paced speed of work at the Rockfell development. Is there any movement on it at all? When I was at Paul street car park a few weeks ago they were just starting digging out the basement.
And what about Grand parade plaza?? I thought it was supposed to be ready for 2007? They’re cutting it tight are they not? It seemed for a while work was moving but its stopped again. Last time I looked over the boarding on South main street the area dug out was all overgrown!!
@ewankennedy wrote:
Was along Cornmarket street today and i’m still amazed at the snail-paced speed of work at the Rockfell development. Is there any movement on it at all? When I was at Paul street car park a few weeks ago they were just starting digging out the basement.
And what about Grand parade plaza?? I thought it was supposed to be ready for 2007? They’re cutting it tight are they not? It seemed for a while work was moving but its stopped again. Last time I looked over the boarding on South main street the area dug out was all overgrown!!
The sings say it won’t be ready till Dec 2007. Surely this is a typo ?
Lets not even mention the food emporium on Father mathews Quay. Working on it now for at least 9 months and all I can see that they have done is gut the inside, done a bit on the structure and add an almost galvanise roof. Looks terrible too.
@Niall123 wrote:
The sings say it won’t be ready till Dec 2007. Surely this is a typo ?
Lets not even mention the food emporium on Father mathews Quay. Working on it now for at least 9 months and all I can see that they have done is gut the inside, done a bit on the structure and add an almost galvanise roof. Looks terrible too.
😮 The Tom McCarthy development on Fr.Mathews Quay has me guessing as well.
Why do developers all put these cow shed type roofs on buildings? Is it just that they are cheap, or do they have some function? (other then keeping the rain out that is)
They have ruined their Kingsley Hotel with the same type of tin cladding.On the front page of the business section of the sunday times there is an article stating that Manor Park Homes have signed an agreement with CIE over Horgan’s Quay. CIE will receive 200m over 10 years. No timeframe though on when work is supposed to start! Anyone have any info on this or is it just old news be rehashed???
Apologies for the form – some of these updates are backdated:
*UPDATES*😮 Manor Park Homebuilders (MPH) have taken another significant step in the progression of its highly anticipated Horgan’s Quay redevelopment. The development firm headed up by Michael O’Driscoll (a UCC graduate himself) and co-owned by DCC and businessman Joe Moran, have signed a development agreement which has cleared the way on both sides to get a move on with the 17-acre quayside development in Cork’s north docklands. The agreement will see CIE receive contributions of approx. €200m over a period of 10-years. Project architects O’Mahony Pike are understood to have made a number of revisions over recent months and that discussions between various associated parties have progressed. The project will now seek the development of approximately 1,300 apartments – a broad mix of units including family units, penthouses, 1 & 2-bedroom. A number of commercial elements will also be included – not least a new Kent Station terminal extension and linked commercial element facing the River Lee with some office space and retail (the volume of which is still being fine-tuned – with MPH still of the mind to provide a stronger presence of retail activity than underlined in Cork City Council’s North Docklands Area Development Plan, recently formalised). Progress is also believed to be in tow regarding the quayside boardwalk with the Port of Cork having gradually recognised that its usage of this quayside section is not of a volume overly significant so as to deter such an amenity provisions’ realisation. Though the move is positive – there are a few more issues yet to be resolved before an application can head to planning. On-going discussions, if progression continues well, could finally allow an application arrive at Navigation House within the next few months. The whole project will be undertaken on a phased basis and take upwards of 6-years to complete in its entirety.
The agreement announced will make available substantial equity to CIE allowing it proceed with continued investment in its services, facilities and rolling-stock.
😮 Howard Holdings and Tedcastles Holdings which recently formulated agreement on a pivotal docklands site – are understood to be engaging continued discussion of development options of the prime, water-facing location. The Rehill-family controlled oil distribution company had previously investigated development options on its valuable site east of Marina Point ESB Power Station – among the plans devised by the group included a scheme over over 550 residential units, commercial and educational elements. This scheme was rejected in principle by CCC given its contravention of desired zoning. Howard Holdings earlier acquired over 11-acres when it successfully bid for the former Ford Motor Co. Distribution site along Centre Park Road – the transaction value is posited in excess of €25m (with some media sources pitching it at €30m). CEO Greg Coughlan has indicated his company’s ambition to seek up to 50 acres of docklands land for development – although he is likely to have stiff competition – given that a number of players have enacted or are enacting moves to secure their input in Cork’s docklands future. It is understood Murray O’Laoire Architects are involved with Howard Holdings and their docklands ambitions, however should final plans are submitted its is believed that they may represent only one contributioing design party – that particular issue is open to your input. The Tedcastles site is capable of taking advantage of a significant landmark building given its waterfront location and ‘gateway’ point viewable from across the river by incoming vehicles to the city.– nearby, the recently valued IAWS lands closer to the city centre are being cited with a €150m tag in their entirety. It is understood however that a prominent IAWS party has had talks with a locally based agency associated with construction and development activities, however the details of the discussions are unknown. IAWS and adjoining Southern Milling own additional land-holdings around Ringaskiddy which may represent prospective opportunities to relocate their extensive docklands based activity – however as one party close to the action here noted, ‘it is a process that will require extensive co-ordination and patience’.
– other design teams at work on various prospective docklands projects include the likes of Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects and of Wilson Architecture, who are at an advanced stage in the preparation of a Second Phase scheme for SHUL Developers, headed up by David O’Sullivan. SHUL intend to develop a further 150,000sq ft of office space on 3-acres of land fronting Monahan’s Road over 5 buildings. The former coal-yard adjoins the recently completed office building partially let to Citco at Tellengana – that scheme was also developed by SHUL and designed by Paud O’Mahony with Wilson Architecture. McCarthy Developments have designs themselves on a 2nd Phase scheme of commercial development backing onto Monahan’s Road on the remaining lands of their Goldcrop/Advance Tyres acquisition. The 1st Phase of the development, designed by Oisin Creagh of Murray O’Laoire Architects, included an 8-storey building of some 100,000sq ft – originally pitched to the OPW for a relocating Revenue Commissioners.
😎 Cork Institute of Technology have advertised for the appointment of Lecturers and Assitant Lecturers in Architecture. The position is to be jointly supported by University College Cork and CIT as part of a B.Sc (Honours) Architecture Degree course starting in September 2006. The degree has been developed by UCC/CIT through consultation with the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and will be fully recognised upon completion. The course will be the first in Cork to offer prospective architects a chance to practice such a degree in the city.Just on the Horgans Quay development. Is the road now running along the quay going to be brough back from the Lee a bit and take up the space where the current CIE land is at present to allow both the dock area and some of the CIE land to be jointly developed ?
@Micko wrote:
Just on the Horgans Quay development. Is the road now running along the quay going to be brough back from the Lee a bit and take up the space where the current CIE land is at present to allow both the dock area and some of the CIE land to be jointly developed ?
The quay road will be removed…
…a new National Route is to be built to the rear of the residential blocks, which will be set forward facing the water, divided by the provision of a new boardwalk and marina which will replace the existing quay frontage. The shift will allow the residential units maxmise advantage of aspects and available land – and hopefully improve the urban realm in the process.
I’m just glad they are finally doing something with the train station. It has very limited facilities and is loosing out on the Dublin route with more and more people opting to fly. When finished it can only compliment the new commuter services to the east and north of the city. When is work due to start…. early 2007? I can’t imagine it starting before then, but as usual when it comes to Cork developments fingers crossed. :rolleyes:
er…em… anything happening with the attractive looking (rusting) metal bollards of various different colours with wire hanging out and plastic caps that line our city’s second street? Wonderful and all as they are weren’t they merely the precursor of a Beth Gali designed state of the art lighting facility? They have now had this “temporary” arrangement in place for 18 months. Anyone know what the story is?:confused:
@A-ha wrote:
I’m just glad they are finally doing something with the train station. It has very limited facilities and is loosing out on the Dublin route with more and more people opting to fly. When finished it can only compliment the new commuter services to the east and north of the city. When is work due to start…. early 2007? I can’t imagine it starting before then, but as usual when it comes to Cork developments fingers crossed. :rolleyes:
in all fairness, why would you bother with Irish Rail?
They offer an incredibly ineffective, inefficient and unsuitable service between the two major economic hubs of our state.
€60 to travel 300 miles return (usually without a seat) in a horribly aged railway car just doesn’t make any sense to me.btw, anyone know where amazon plan to set up their new call centre in Cork?
Try
@mickeydocs wrote:
in all fairness, why would you bother with Irish Rail?
They offer an incredibly ineffective, inefficient and unsuitable service between the two major economic hubs of our state.
€60 to travel 300 miles return (usually without a seat) in a horribly aged railway car just doesn’t make any sense to me.btw, anyone know where amazon plan to set up their new call centre in Cork?
Did you not hear about the service upgrade to hourly trains between Cork and Dublin and also the new rolling stock that Irish Rail will be introducing? Sure, it still won’t be to continental standards but it should be a welcome improvement and hopefully an indicator of things to come?
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