Look at de state of Cork, like!

Our chamber of commerce seems to be excellent at lobbying the government for investment into the city. Why doesn’t it apply the same pressure to IAWS and other property owners sitting on vast tracts of prime development land.

And why hasn’t it spoken out against CIE’s inactivity in relation to Horgan’s Quay. Is anyone actively demanding activity in relation to this site? Are CIE holding out for a property down-turn? My impression was that this badly managed, appallingly run semi-state is in need of all the financial aid it can get its hands on. Surely the sale/redevelopment of Horgan’s quay will bring in mega-bucks… oh I forgot, the government will back them up financially regardless of their performance.

Heuston Station has had two overhauls in the last ten years, while the CIE continue to drag their heels in relation to Cork. Where is our political will to make things happen? I admire the new City manager a great deal and would love to see him take on CIE in relation to this matter.

BTW, here’s hoping that Aer Lingus will finally announce Transatlantic flights from Cork today 🙂

Originally posted by satanta99
The portacabin on patricks st. is supposed to be only a temporary measure. I heard that the old bus conductors cabin is being restored and will be repositioned on the street in the future.

I’d make the same assumption about that swedish retailer locating in either of these sites but I am also interested in the properties which have become vacant on Patricks st. The lease is for sale in the old pound city store and the lease has been sold in the carphone warehouse outlet. Also the newsagents across from merchants quay “the Favourite” appears to undergoing extensive reconstruction. These units may not have a large enought floor plate for the retailer mentioned above but might we see more international chains getting onto Patricks st. I know footlocker anounced a major expansion into the Irish market and so too did Starbucks.

Horgan’s Quay represents not only one of the biggest investment and development opportunities in Cork, but the entire country. Though ‘sketch’ plans have been drawn up by an investment company consisting of Treasury Holdings, Manor Park Homes, CIE and with input from CCC and various local developers – I agree that CIE have been the predominant culprit in holding back on this development. Sketch plans have proposed offices, commercial/retail quarter, a new grand plaza utilizing the river, boardwalks, new railway station development (drawings of which can be seen in the Cork Development Plan 2004 – 2009), a large new underground and multistorey parking facility to cater for public and private uses, a new 6000 seat convention centre, up to 5000 residential units, up to 5 high-rise office, residential and commercial buildings of ‘world-class’ proportions and quality reaching up to 20 – 25 storeys each. The potential is overwhelming, and could provide a substantial strategic income for the semi-state body over the next 25 years easily. Much of the company’s reluctance comes in the form of pure lack of foresight and real management strategy. CIE will be the lesser for not getting it’s act together.

However, in fairness to Cork City Manager Joe Gavin, he has vehemently campaigned to get the CIE site at Horgan’s Quay/Railway Street up and running as a large-scale convention centre. This was reported in one of these posts a few weeks back. Mr. Gavin has already received a number of interested party proposals and it is his intention to push through with the project to have it up and running within 2 years pending the decision deadline given to O’Callaghan Properties regarding their proposed convention centre at Mahon Point.

at least it’s increasing the number or routes… still hard to understand why they got rid of the cork-dublin flight (supposedly their second most profitable route).

Originally posted by Pana01
No major transatlantic news from the Cork Airport press conference today……
>>>>>>
Aer Lingus has announced plans to establish four new routes between Cork Airport and contintental Europe from next summer.

The airline said it was planning to operate direct flights from Cork to Munich, Rome, Nice and Faro.

Aer Lingus already flies from Cork to seven other destinations.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

For those curious as to what exactly is happening with the former An Post Sorting Office Site on Eglinton Street which was purchased not so long ago by O’Flynn Construction – I managed to have a discussion with a certain director within the company. The site has a sign located on it which indicates clearly the intention of a ‘MAJOR RETAIL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT’ – but O’Flynn Construction are remaining more tight-lipped on this project than any other. This is partially due to the fact that a certain Evening Echo reporter blurted out all over the local media that ‘Marks & Spencer’ were looking into locating at Ballincollig Town Centre – a report first posted on this forum, but which was taken from it without my prior consent. Now O’Flynn Construction are being a lot more cautious. However, the director did tell me that pre-planning discussions with Cork City Council had just been complete and that they would be lodging a large application with the Planning Department ( and it was said in these exact words) “pretty soon now, I can’t give you the specifics anymore, but the application will be lodge very shortly”.

When it is, this forum will be the first to know about what is expected to be among the most exciting of the new docklands developments. Although I have some details already, hopefully I will be able to post them here, the day before the application is made formally. So you’ll all know, a day before everyone else does – that is, if they don’t pull an O’Callaghan Properties/Jurys Hotel announcement.

😉 Speculation within development circles continues to mount – though cautiously I might add – about a large-scale redevelopment, renovation and extention of an existing Cork cultural institution. The speculation continues after holding companies for a number of investors who had been attached to the redevelopment plans for the MacCurtain Street-based culture and arts facility, quietly purchased quayside properties adjoining the institution. Rumour has it, an on-going feasibility study is being conducted into a huge refurbishment and extension of the cultural property, extending from MacCurtain Street to Patrick’s Quay. The development will consist of underground parking, late-night bar and possibly nightclub, educational facility w/ film production school, new mezzanine, restaurant and cafe, adjoining commercial units and additional smaller arts theatres which will be able to facilitate medium to large scale lectures/conferences etc etc as well as plays/dramas and so on. The project is seen as a perfect opportunity to provide Cork with world class conference and cultural educational facilities (which will work in conjunction with both UCC and CIT), and which will compliment Cork’s European Capital of Culture status. The expected value of the project is in and around 40m euro. However this is project, may I please remind you, is only at the pre-planning stage and there is no guarantee of commencement.

*UPDATES*

-> The Citi-West Statoil Service Station at Victoria Cross is being dismantled as we speak, this is to make way for Paul Montgomery and Edmund Kenneally’s Phase 2 of the Victoria Mills Student Accomodation development. The 1st Phase is nearing completion. The Phase 2 element will cater for 132 more bedspaces, underground parking and a 3000sq ft ground floor commercial unit. Planning was granted by ABP after Third Party appeal.

-> John F. Supple Contractors have erected a crane over the old city Waterworks on the Lee Road. The builders were awarded the 5m euro contact for CCC as part of their plan to develop the site as a Sustainable City Campus Project.

-> The final PJ Walls tower crane at CUH’s new 62m euro Maternity Wing has been dismantled. The new wing, designed by O’Riordan Staehli Architects, will open next year. Those in Bishopstown who were growing fond of the tower cranes which became almost a recognised element of the suburbs sky-line won’t have long to wait to see another 2 at least be erected over the new 85m Renal/Cardiac unit at CUH which was just given the financial and planning go-ahead. Construction starts next year and will take 2 years to complete with an opening date scheduled for early 2008.

-> Meanwhile, closer to the city centre, The Mercy University Hospital, which recently purchased the Distillery Lee Fields adjacent to its main hospital building for 20m euro with UCC, has had plans drawn up for a new 6-level multi-storey car-park on their new land across the river. The drawings were provided by Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects. However, developer Sean Meehan has recently applied for planning to construct a 3-level underground/under-river car-park at Grenville Place, designed by John Paul Lennon, right outside the door of the Mercy. Neither finance nor permission has yet been sought by the Mercy Hospital for their project, which will include a new footbridge, consultation rooms and urology unit. Sean Meehan’s project intends to incorporate a new vehicular access bridge off the quay side which then loops back into the quay wall and underground. The development will also provide commercial units and consultation rooms. Currently, the planning application is labelled incomplete, a re-issued application is expected soon.

Anyone know which architects (if any) Treasury used for the “sketch plans” for Horgan’s Quay?

Any development which occurs on Patricks Quay would be welcomed by me. At the moment it is nothing more than a “higgledy piggeldy” mess. The varied building heights fronting the quay look, to me, like someone who has had their 2 front teeth knocked out. Then there is the awful yellow block which is the metropole! Hopefully we will see something to redeem the area and revitalise the quay!

A couple of newsworthy updates make the post today –

🙂 Cornmarket Street is set for a 5m euro makeover, which is to also include 20 set market stalls with an emphasis on fresh foods and open-air food stands freshly served up, traditional crafts etc. The street will be lined with green-leaf trees and the road surface will be relayed with extended, blending pathways which strongly support pedestrian activity. The project will compliment the new Rockfell Department Store and Residential development (which is scheduled to complete around the same time as the street redevelopment) along with the new Cornmarket Street Footbridge.

🙁 Neil O’Sullivan of OSB, is to lodge an application for the development of 94 residential units in Douglas, expected by the week end. The development is a mix of housing, duplexes and apartments – James Leahy & Assoc. are the architectural firm behind the design. Neil O’Sullivan’s other projects around the city include an apartment development at Camden Quay. The 1st phase of which is in mid-construction, by John F. Supple Ltd. The 2nd phase of the project is still in appeal to ABP, and will consist of a 6-storey building incorporating 55 residential units, an new Cork Arts Theatre and reconstructed public house. Both are also designed by James Leahy & Assoc.

🙂 Beth Gali, the Spanish architect responsible for the designs of the Patrick Street, Grand Parade and Oliver Plunkett Street redevelopments – has also designed the impressive new Christmas lighting scheme for Patrick’s Street, set to debut this Christmas 2004. The CG images are pretty impressive – I’ll try and get them up for you as soon as I can. There is a great emphasis on style, to compliment the redevelopment, and gone are the rancid tacky creations of years past.

🙂 Lidl GmbH have reapplied for permission of a store on their Churchfield site (formerly Ecco Shoes HQ), after a refusal on the original plan a few weeks ago. The new submission takes into account recommendations made by the CCC Planning Dept. and has a strong emphasis on ‘neighbourhood’ accomodation. The new plan sees 2 single storey pitched-roof buildings being constructed on-site. One with Lidl Supermarket, and the other with 3 smaller, complimentary retail units and 166 car-parking spaces. Design is by O’Shaugnessy & Co.

🙂 Developer Tom Fitzgerald, owner of Athlone Leisure World, who has already received planning for a family recreational centre at Fitz’s Boreen in Blackpool, has announced his intention to commence construction of the development. This will include a 4-storey over basement building of 6203sq m, with 14 no. ten pin bowling lanes, childrens and toddlers play areas, café, kitchen and service/storage areas, toilets, club bar, games and circulation areas, all at ground floor level. At first floor level, the gross floor area will be approximately 1784 sq. metres accommodating pool and snooker room, electronic games rooms, administrative office, staff quarters and plants/machinery area. The remaining floors will house a day care centre, swimming pool, steam rooms and saunas, aerobics centre, gym and beauty treatment facility. Design is by Finola Deavey, of Deavey & Assoc.

:rolleyes: Though Hamilton Osbourne King indicate the Thomas Crosbie Holdings site on Lavitts Quay (proposed new Irish Examiner HQ) is under ‘offer consideration’, directors at TCH are adament they intend to decide on the fate of this deal and their new city offices within the coming weeks.

🙂 Blarney-based John Cleary Developments, who recently succeeded in gaining permission for 5 light industrial units at Kilnap Business Park in Blackpool, are lodging an application to construct 5 state-of-the-art car showrooms for varied dealerships adjacent to the new Johnson & Perrot showrooms, awaiting planning and designed by SDA O’Flynn, at Mahon Point. The development should create 200 jobs and will secure Mahon Point as one of the major dealership locations in the country.

It has all been very secretive burge_eye, but it is my understanding, more than one architectural firm has been employed on the project. Similar to the method adopted by O’Flynn Construction at their 500m euro Ballincollig Town Centre project. All I can say is that such a development as proposed for the Horgan’s Quay site must be an architects dream.

mickeydocs – Is this for everyman

Once again, mickey I can’t say. But what I can say is that it is a project that hopefully every woman and Every man will benefit from. 😉

burge_eye, what’s the gist of the article? What possible grounds would they have for objection? The hotel as it is is an eyesore that is very much “isolated” in any case.

Absolutely.

You swear it was some majestic postcard view of the cathedral in any case (what with the half yellow half pink Jurys and the badly pruned trees as a foreground).