Look at de state of Cork, like!
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Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year to all contributors to this thread. Lets hope 2005 is another great year, in terms of developments in Cork!
Well, saw the thread was slipping down the list a bit , can’t have that now can we. Anyone see the supplement on the Sunday Tribune about Cork, Capital of Culture? In a feature on Mr. O’Callaghan’s interests in Cork, it listed the current and future elements of Mahon Point, among which was a 5,000 seater events centre. No ‘proposed’ in sight. So have the corporation granted him his wish? I doubt it , as i havent heard anything to indicate this as yet, or is this an indication that they intend to do so?
Hi,
I’m a musician,teacher and music facilitater (run courses etc.to promote music), and hope that someone out there can possibly help me.
I’m looking for a vacant space,warehouse,building,in which to use throughout the year for various music,youth & arts projects.
I have, in the past consulted with the Cork Arts Council with regard to running and managing a space for them -a rehearsal room for musicians,of all ages.this is badly needed as there is a hugh struggling music in cork at the moment and as the privately financed rehearsal space in blackpool (sunbeam) burnt down.the CAC wasted about 9 months of my time only to U-turn on their own project saying that to pay money on a rental space was a waste of money.2005plc. have also been inundated with proposals for a multi-tasking space to nurture and promote inovation in art – their stance on this was to brush it off stating that it’s not their job to do such (even though they commissioned someone to audit every potential space as one of their first jobs,a document that as far as I know is not in the public domain!)
So,why am I here…
feeling disinfranchised by those who have the power to at least facilitate the finding of a suitable building (etc.),I’m hopeing that if not just for the year thats in it,we can make it happen ourselves.Who’s “we” you may ask? …well anyone who would like to be help with a sugestion,to get involved,who’d like there to be somewhere for their children to learn,play /practise /listen to live music,(adults also welcome!)If you havn’t heard yet the “WE” is getting bigger and WE’re getting organised- check out http://www.wheresmeculture.com
…and what am I looking for …
to start with,just suggestions on where to look,who to talk to,maybe you know of idle buildings waiting for planning etc.
Ideally a building/warehouse near the city center,low rental/lease,available for at least 9 months (all we need is to prove it can work,so we can look for grants,sponsorship and private investment),we will cover insurance,no structural alterations will be needed.
in case you think I’m a chancer,yes I am!but I’ve a history in academics and management in london and this needs to happen !
thanks to theblimp for suggesting this thread
please post to http://www.wheresmeculture.com/bb/index.php
thanksHaving resubmitted their application (through Further Info incl. EIS) – O’Flynn Construction are now scheduled to receive a decision on their highly anticipated Eglinton Street development. The project will incl. mixed use res. office & retail devt generally comprising of 6-8 storeys above street level apart from the landmark bldg in the sw corner of the site which is 17 storeys above street level excl. rooftop plant encl,feature spire & aviation light.553 carpark spaces provided mainly at basement & also at grd level within the bldg.Devt will be carried out at former An Post site 1.24ha/3.06acres.Retail floorspace will be provided in 5 separate units of 3.624m2total.U’s1,3&4-convenience retail/sandwich bars/restaurants assoc. with local need,U2–h/hold goods & U5-furniture &/or bulky consumer durables.7 office units total 1989m2.Assoc. facilities comprise a creche &a gym.217 res. apts will comprise 6x1bed,164x2bed,27x3bed.Security station, 2ESB substns, anc. services, stores&yard with assoc. landscaping, site works & services.Vehic. access for the devt will be via 2 new vehic. entr/exit pts onto Eglinton St apart from the service yard for del. vehicles which will be located on Albert St.
The decision due date is set for the 25th Feburary 2005.
(now off I go to return to my Christmas holidays – which are less holidays and seem to be more intensive work days!)
😮 CCC announced formally today (31st December 2004) along w/ Enterprise Ireland and Howard Holdings, the long-awaited ‘Webworks’ development for Albert House (along Albert Quay – now known as Terence McSwiney Quay). The development is designed by Scott Tallon Walker, will be developed by Howard Holdings and constructed by PJ Hegarty Contractors.
Quite frankly, I’m a little bit disappointed with the design – it could have been far more radical and utilised the quayside far more effectively and…actually, it could have used the quayside full stop! The circa. 55,000sq ft, 4 storey (5-storey apex) over 62 car-parking space basement development is to be built to the rear of Albert House (on site of former Railway Station platform area) and connects with Albert House – which will see its ground floor area converted to restaurant use, and upper floors for office use. Access will be provide to the Webworks from Eglinton Street and a new road planned as part of the Eglinton Street development by O’Flynn Construction between Eglinton Street and Albert Road.
The development will be open to submission until Feb 16th 2005 – will then go for council vote (which will almost certainly pass) and is planned to have a crane over the site for April 2005.
😀 After receiving a copy of the EIS for O’Flynn Construction’s Eglinton Street project (as part of their project resubmission – see previous post) – I have to say, if I liked the project before, I REALLY like the project now. Inspecting the various visual aspects of the project in better detail than basic design images I was afforded earlier on in the year, I have to say, the project says ‘WATCH OUT DOCKLANDS!!!’ with a bang. It provides a magnificient entry point into an area undergoing rapid current and future development. The VIS doesn’t incl. outlines for the Albert Quay projects and City Hall development – but when pictured in your head, you can imagine how fabulous the development will be. It utilises copper, sandstone and glass heavily, but blends just well. Yes it is tall, yes it is dramatic – but is a REAL city’s project and I think it’s high time Cork flaired a little pride and confidence in its morale and aesthetics. It’s a leap, but it’s a mature one and it’s something I hope is embraced.All going well, I’ll have an exclusive (for want of a better word) Lapps Quay & South Mall perspective image of the development – which includes City Hall – for next Tues or Wednesday.
🙁 And sorry to butt in this downer – but Charles & Helen McCarthy’s hotel development planned at Crosses Green on the site of their former Mill Business Centre, for want of better phrasing, is shockingly awful. It’s another Derek Tynan-makes-me-want-to-cry (the bad kind!) architectural catastrophe. Why is Mr. Tynan spreading an architectural disease over our city??? The design is quite literally a 7-storey brick (Victoria Mills: The Sequel) in an area surrounded by 2 and 3-storey small houses, cottages and the Dean’s Hall complex. Sure I like the boardwalk element and I like the fact that it’s a development in an area that could use it – with beautiful water frontage – but NOT THIS development. The 7-storeys could be quite passable and in fact, complimentary had any effort, thought and/ore imagination gone into the design. A truly hideous project. I would wholly support this project, even at that height, if it had any form of half-decent design to it.
🙂 I couldn’t end the final day of 2004 with that depressing note – so here are some things to keep an eye on for 2005 ->1. A planned project (next to the Albert House Webworks) for Albert Quay
2. A vertical extension at the Deloitte & Touche offices on Lapps Quay (a glass frame enclosing the existing PS and floor provision above)
3. A resubmission of the Water Street project
4. Another major office development in the docklands confines.
5. Movement on Horgan’s Quay (so the CCC claim)
6. Plus a number of other exciting large scale developments YET to be announced – but I will soon, I promise!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 😀
A few people have asked about that ‘large red-brick circle thing’ along the Blackpool By-pass -> well that’s the Sean Mhuileann Section 23 development by Frank Sheahan and Joe Carey I had been talking about in previous posts. I still believe that guide prices are ridiculous – but if people are that mad enough and willing to pay that sort of money for that sort of development, then soak it up I say. From a consumer perspective, all I can say is, there are far better developments than this for better money. From a developer’s perspective all I can say is ‘HAHA!’ – or something to that effect.
For a 600sq ft 1-bedroom apartment, prices start at 325,000 euros. 375,000 euros for a 800sq ft 2 bedroom and 425,000 euros for a 3-bedroom 1,200sq ft apartment.
The image below is in reverse, the larger, semi-circular element (already complete by PJ Hegarty Contractors) is located to the North. The 3 remaining blocks are currently under construction by Ascon. Design for the 139-unit apartment development is by J.E. Keating & Associates.
Also, here’s a small image of the new UCC School of Medicine and Nursing Studies – due to open for October 2005. The 45m euro project was designed by RKD McCarthy Lynch and built by PJ Walls Building Contractors.
…and on the subject of UCC, here’s a sneak peek at the design for new student accomodation of the site of the former M&P O’Sullivan Cash & Carry at Victoria Cross (next to Victoria Mills – Phase 2 now under contruction by Bowen Construction). Fleming Group will act as developers and building contractors on behalf of UCC. In line with student population projects and accomodation requirements – construction is not scheduled to begin until mid to late 2005, ready for the new Academic Year in Sept 2006 (the project is not S.50 and thus free of associative conditions). Design is by Bertie Pope & Associates (whose previous projects incl. North Main Street/Kyrls Quay Multi-Storey Car Park and Shopping Centre – I’ll let that work speak for itself). The image is small I know, but as of now, it was the only one allowed for use (made available in this case through PMG).
i read in the echo the other day that the Kent Station development isn’t going ahead or something? or it was being delayed by CIE? this right?
city hall are trying to exert a bit of pressure to get the thing off the ground, supposedly they have been in contact with the minister for transport to get CIE to get the thumb out! It’s a shame they are draggin their heels so much on this project.
No – I think what you read was Noel O’Flynn giving out that Cork was being treated 2nd best yet again by CIE as Heuston and Connolly Stations up in Dublin were getting the full treatment. It fairness, Connolly and Heuston have higher volumes of traffic movement so its no surprise that they have had and needed to receive revamps – but CIE have treated Cork appallingly over Kent Station and Horgan’s Quay redevelopment. Treasury Holdings and Manor Park Homes have apparently threatened to withdraw their proposals as a result – I’m not quite so sure that’s accurate as Treasury and Manor Park were only a number of developer names in the barrel. Joe Gavin, Billy Kelleher, John Minihan and Noel O’Flynn have pledged to push for a firm application regarding Horgan’s Quay for 2005 from CIE – but at the end of the day, they can only do so much. A number of plans have been drawn up regarding Horgan’s Quay ever since Owen O’Callaghan proposed to construct an IT and Business Park on the site many years ago – which was famously boycotted by the then Minister Michael Lowry and Bernard Allen (it was a Fine Gael vs Fianna Fail cock-up that cost Cork up to 600 jobs). You may remember I post one Horgan’s Quay masterplan image a few pages back – but developers involved have also funded a number of other design proposals, most of which include high-rise buildings of varying scale and design quality to accomodate the expected 5000 or so residential units ear-marked for the site. These buildings are generally slender in their east-west profile as to minimise visual disruption from northern valley slope residencies. 2 plans in particular have particular appeal to me – they both facilitate an extensive commercial/retail/leisure and social ‘town centre’-style area along the quay with a central public plaza; above this 3 attractive high-rise residential buildings stand (east, centre, west – 20, 25, 20 storeys resepectively) with interconnecting lower level residential and commercial levels. An extensive reworking of the quayside is proposed to maximise the waterfront area which is to include a boardwalk (with docking accommodation) from Railway Street to Water Street. Pedestrian access is provided by a number of safe crossings and one over-road pedestrian walkway/bridge which extends from the base of the central high-rise. Kent Station in both these plans, as with almost all of the other masterplans for the quay, is altered to face the waterfront with access roads linking into a new arrivals and departure hall – this then faces onto the quay to the south and central public plaza to the east. A new 900-space multistorey car-park is provided to the rear of the existing terminal, fronting the Lower Glanmire Road. Many of the masterplans overlap in certain areas but I’m sceptical over whether such plans (even half of such plans) will make the final cut if CIE does finally commit to its long long overdue promises. My fear now is a substandard ‘Cork Bus Station scenario’ where a novelty, second-rate proposal is implemented consequent of mounting public and political pressures. In fairness to Joe Gavin, he has said, we want movement – but we will not sacrifice the immense potential of the quay to a second-rate proposal. 2005 may be the year – we wait anxiously.
😮 Yes, more student accomodation for UCC and CIT, this time – I have to agree the location is pretty sweet as it is slap-bang in the middle between both the main UCC and CIT campuses.
The former petrol station, repair shop and existing licensed bar at Dennehy’s Cross on the junction of the Model Farm Road and Wilton Road looks scheduled to be redeveloped as student accomodation (in the form of apartments). It is presumed the buildings will range from 3 to 5 storeys and accomodate up to 200 to 250 bedspaces. The apartments are expected to be designed and built to a very high standard – perhaps due to future market considerations??? After all, it won’t have the same restrictions. No firm application date has yet been set – and I’m afraid I can’t leech any further information about the development for now. But this, it would seem, is what is in the works for this highly prominent and sought after site.
🙂 In addition to plans for a new 150-bedroom hotel at Cork Airport, Great Southern Hotels have lodged their application for a 53-bedroom extension onto their existing 83-bedroom hotel at the fast growing airport.
🙂 O’Flynn Construction have sought permission to proceed with the construction of 2 planning permitted hotels as part of their 500m euro Ballincollig Town Centre project.– the first hotel is 100-bedroom 4 storey over basement development, while the 2nd is a 5-storey 138-bedroom over basement development (Marriott have been a named mentioned to operate the hotel – however, reports are now sceptical over this in light of ‘recent developments’). Both hotels incl. all appropriate ancillary services and facilities.
– Also, I hope to have that exclusive Eglinton Street Development picture by Thurs, as I will be away tomorrow.
:p Pitwood Ltd’s proposed 121-bedroom, 5-storey, 80,000sq ft hotel development over dual-basement is looking pretty nice. I was taking a brief look over the plans recently and forgot to mention it – the facades of 91 South Mall and the 2 protected facades at Parnell Place are to be refurbished and incorporated into the development, giving it an air of class about it. Above the Parnell Place facades, a tasteful, black slate pitched roof will form the 5-storey. My only grievance relates to how the height of the project, as viewed from South Mall, may mildly affect the grandesque of 93 South Mall (Thomas Crosbie Holdings HQ) – but the developers assure me the materials used will minimise this effect dramatically. It looks good though. Michael & Kevin Corbett will retain ownership of the site however.
:rolleyes: Cumnor Construction finally provided Further Info to CCC regarding their 7-storey apartment development at Sunday’s Well/Winter’s Hill – a decision due date is set for the 28th of Jan 2005 (this month). Jack Coughlan & Assoc are behind the design. I remain sceptical about this project – in my opinion, it’s a bad place to put a 7-storey block – considering its position overlooking a number of private residencies surrounding (the tallest of which being 3-storeys with pitched roof). This is a highly prominent, sloped location and the development far from suits it.lex and others
re the georges mills development, clydagh developments are doing it but Murray O’ Laoire are the architects. Any chance of getting a photo / artists impression of what it will look like when finished? Due for completion of work in Sep 05.
Well here it is – an exclusive image of O’Flynn Construction’s Eglinton Street development – decision due Feb 25th 2005. A total of 5 objections have been lodged against the development – a shame really. The project will consist of 217-residential units, 7 large office units and 5 convenience and bulky goods retail units. 550 parking spaces will be provided a dual basement level. The project hosts a landmark 17-storey, 70m residential tower in the south-western corner of the former An Post Sorting Office site (which was sold last year to O’Flynn Construction for 15m euro) and average between 7 and 9 storeys for the remainder of the development. It would provide a stunning entrance into the new docklands development zone – I sincerely hope it gains approval.
Apologises for the poor image quality – my scanner is second rate. The viewpoint is taken from a South Mall perspective looking south east to City Hall. Yes, the Eglinton Street development is imposing, but it places City Hall at the centre of a transition between old and new – creating a unique and clear divide, enhancing the history of older Cork and the positivity and confidence of the new city quarter. Design is by Frank O’Mahony of Wilson Architecture. For other images, see previous posts.
😎 McCarthy Developments have emerged as the successful buyer of the former Goldcrop site along Centre Park Road in the southern docklands. The site adjoins Centre Park House, already owned by McCarthy Developments, who have cited to develop a major office development at the location. The deal is est’d to have = up to 2m euros per acre.
😎 An undisclosed buyer is rumoured to have successfully purchased the 80,000sq ft Marina Park storage site near Kennedy Quay. The ‘corporate’ buyer is said to have purchased the waterfront site for an est’d 8m + euros from auctioneers Cohalan Downing. A major commercial development is said to be in preplanning for this location which will take full advantage of the proposed 25m euro Water Street bridge.The above deals represent strong headway in the development of the Cork City Docklands.
St Finbarr’s Hospital
St Finbarr’s Hospital is housed on a huge, underused site. With the loss of its maternity department to CUH and the neighbouring development on the Nemo Rangers grounds, are there any plans to sell off/develop any of its lands?
Lex, generally speaking I would welcome that Eglinton Street development. However I have to say that it looks just a little isolated. I would have thought that one or two other buildings in that development not of the same height but of a more complmentary nature to the feature building would have been more appropriate.
@lexington wrote:
😎 An undisclosed buyer is rumoured to have successfully purchased the 80,000sq ft Marina Park storage site near Kennedy Quay. The ‘corporate’ buyer is said to have purchased the waterfront site for an est’d 8m + euros from auctioneers Cohalan Downing. A major commercial development is said to be in preplanning for this location which will take full advantage of the proposed 25m euro Water Street bridge.
The above deals represent strong headway in the development of the Cork City Docklands.
is there anyone here who might be able to help me track down survey drawings of this site. cohalan downing have been no help, and i’m presuming an architect/surveyor must have been involved at some stage if the site was being sold. any idea who might be able to help? purely educational use. thanks.
@theblimp wrote:
Lex, generally speaking I would welcome that Eglinton Street development. However I have to say that it looks just a little isolated. I would have thought that one or two other buildings in that development not of the same height but of a more complmentary nature to the feature building would have been more appropriate.
Plans are in tow for the Careys Tool Hire site across Albert Road and at the IAWS R&H Hall site that will also consist of ‘high-rise’ developments – though I do acknowledge the Eglinton Street Tower ‘stands out’, thankfully the design isn’t all that bad and it should look better in the light of these other new developments, as well as future developments down along the docklands in the years to come. I think it’s important to remember this development is only representative of the so-called ‘first step’ and it has to be perceived with a view to the entirety of the docklands regeneration process. Were this a stand alone development, I would probably have to agree with you.
@Pug wrote:lex and others
re the georges mills development, clydagh developments are doing it but Murray O’ Laoire are the architects. Any chance of getting a photo / artists impression of what it will look like when finished? Due for completion of work in Sep 05.
Tom McCarthy, of the Kingsley Hotel among other developments, is developing George’s Mill – according to Joe Gavin, scafforlding was due on site before Christmas, but I am told this won’t happen until at least mid-Jan. I’ll look into getting more images of the development for you soon.
@jungle wrote:St Finbarr’s Hospital
St Finbarr’s Hospital is housed on a huge, underused site. With the loss of its maternity department to CUH and the neighbouring development on the Nemo Rangers grounds, are there any plans to sell off/develop any of its lands?
The SHB have plans for the hospital down along the road, but it will remain primarily hospital and associated medical usage. Some lands may be sold off for private development.
sw101 – have you checked with OSI? Although I do have drawings, I’m afraid they incl. development proposals and I am not at liberty to distribute, sorry. But OSI or CCC should have something.
*UPDATES*:rolleyes: The IRFU are to see off a parcel of ‘excess’ land at their Musgrave Park grounds for apartment development (circa. 50 units) and some commercial uses – to be developed by Bowen Construction (on behalf……). I was keeping this ‘dun suas’ – but John Bowen and the Irish Examiner were talking so I said I might as well let the forum know also. theblimp?
The taller part of the Eglinton development doesn’t bother as much as the 8 storey element. It seems like it will envelop City Hall.
After assessing the full design elements of the project, I was surprised at how sympathetic the ‘lower’ element of the development actually is to City Hall – I totally accept the image I posted doesn’t particularly convey that however. You have to consider City Hall’s own 32m euro development on its Southern elevation – there is somewhat of a consistency between the 2 projects when viewed side-to-side.
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