Look at de state of Cork, like!

@mickeydocs wrote:

I’ll second that… cpo the government full stop

can they do something under the derelict sites act or whatever it is called??

As for the air bridges!!!!! 😡

no wonder Cork people have a “supposed” chip on their shoulders, if you ask me it is a well entitled side effect of our beloved centralised Ireland!

Speaking of Mark Kelleher’s large 92-unit development at Westend, Bishopstown – I availed of the opportunity provided to walk the development site with another gentleman. There is something eerie about the site – it resembles an accumulation of overgrown grass patches, briars, fencing, old sheds and hedges. It seems completely out of sync with the rest of the surrounding areas. I have seen the plans for the site, and personally I feel that the site and area could very much stand to benefit from the development. Many of the objections are exceptionally over-the-top, repetitive and quite frankly, stupid. Jerry Buttimer, local councillor, applauds the objectors for their use of ‘democracy’ by objecting, but there is nothing democratic about the same people lodging more than one objection under different guises – i.e. The Rise Residents Association, then a list of Rise Residents independently objecting, then different members of the same household objecting…that’s a little excessive, and to be honest, unfair. Although I do think the development is warranted – I completely agree with concerns relating to traffic management in the area. Yes, the area is heavily congested, the roads in the area handle in excess of 100,000 traffic movements per day and they are inadequately designed for such a volume. Some objectors have raised this point and it is completely valid – however, I would like to see the developer work with the residents and CCC on how best to combat this problem, perhaps by privately funding feeder road-upgrades as part of the development??? I also acknowledge that some areas of the development do mildly overlook 3 or 4 residencies, the developer could easily adjust this by ‘stepping’ the apartment block more carefully. I don’t have a problem with these valid points – it’s the stupid ones that bug me. Some objections are basically just saying, ‘I’m sick of high-rise’. I remind them, it’s 5-storeys, not 17.

-> Mahon Point SC (20m visitors p.a. expected – same as Liffey Valley)
-> Lodge Application for Academy Street mid-to-late 2005 (200,000sq ft of ‘fashion’ based retail – between 30 – 40 units over 6-storeys (+ basement) and with over 80 to 100 apartment units, 30,000sq ft of offices (?)) – OCP are promising something very special on this one. Let’s hope they deliver – early suggest, they MAY hit a high-note with a Danish design firm working with a Dublin-based practice – Project?
-> Begin construction (Bowen Construction again) on Academy Street late-2006.
-> Possible projects on the South Docklands?- We’ll just have to wait and see!
-> Development at Academy Street opens late-2007, early 2008.
-> Possible Mahon Point SC extension (further 150,000 to 200,000sq ft to the northern elevation).

The above is just a whimsical representation to some of OCP’s proposed plans, nothing in stone. Don’t take it too seriously. However, the time-frame for Academy Street has been laid out by OCP already, as well as the Mahon Point SC extension – which is already in pre-planning. Dirk Luow of Project Architects has already assessed this option. The centre was designed to accommodate such an extension.

-> OCP are to relocate to their new HQ at 21 Lavitts Quay come April/Summer 2005. They are currently based in temporary facilities (a series of interconnecting cabins) on the Mahon Point lands at Ballinure, Mahon. Once relocated, the land for a new Hilton Hotel and Leisure Centre will be freed up. Construction on the 200-bedroom hotel is planned to be complete by late 2006/early 2007?. The technology and business parks (once planned long ago for Horgan’s Quay) and up to 100,000sq ft of office space are due to be complete for 2008.

-> As for the 6,000-seat convention/event centre, though scepticism remains over this project, with a project development cost of 30m euro, I have been informed that, since mid-2004, a series of construction options have been discussed with between the design team, construction team and a number of Irish, UK and US consultants with regards reducing construction costs and availing of new strategies to provide a less expensive build, hopefully making the centre more viable. Though it is highly publicised, the logistics of the project still don’t add up, I suspect that the project may not be realised – although this latest information is curious.

@Pug wrote:

quick ques fro you lot out there, could someone list me the top CORK architects? being creative people i know thats very subjective but I was looking for those who say do commercial/retail property, maybe residential as well, couple of projects I might need help on. Thanks a mill. 😎

Well what are you looking for? Design oriented? Or just slabs? 😉

I have my own opinion on the better architectural firms in Cork – but that’s just me. If you new a few contact names – let me know.

There was a post here but now its gone (to a land far away)

The project will seek at least 2 significant mixed-use waterfront developments for the area facing the river on a series of existing derelict sites. All developments must take note and include the old city wall. The height of the projects should be significant enough as to mask the Dunnes Stores Kyrls Quay Multistorey and Shopping Centre. More later.[/QUOTE]

How that m/s carpark got past planning is surely a tribunal matter 🙂
Anything would improve on the negative impact this building has on the quay.
Btw, which derelict buildings are being destroyed???

Here’s an inside view of the central atrium of the new Clarion Hotel on Lapps Quay as part of Howard Holdings’ new City Quarter development. The hotel will open its doors on Feb 11th while the new office development as part of the project will be completed come late March/early April.

🙂 O’Callaghan Properties have confirmed that they are scheduled to lodge their application for Academy Street/Emmet Place this Summer (2005) – a little earlier than originally planned, with construction hoped to be for October 2006. OCP have put this down to the fact that they are very happy with the way Mahon Point has progressed and continues to progress – the retail park (phase 1) is now let and all units at the Shopping Centre are filling up gradually (they have been since launch – however incidents such as the Clinton Cards fall, all provided temporary vacanies which were quickly filled). There now remains a backlog of international tenants, many of which OCP are hoping to see take up units at the Academy Street development. The 6-storey over dual-basement development will see a lower basement parking and goods delivery level, basement retail, ground floor retail, 1st floor retail, 2nd floor retail, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th floor residential. Bowen Construction will be contractors. The design team has been for the time being, asked, not to be revealed – but consists of a respected European-based firm (think Scandanavia) and a Dublin practice (who has worked with OCP on large retail projects before). The retail element will be strictly fashion.

– OCP satisfied with Mahon Point, will now be focussing their attention on the Jurys redevelopment and Academy Street projects (+ 1 other proposed ‘surprise’ – an enhanced retail aspect?). The Hilton Hotel, Office Development, Industrial Park and 2nd Phase Retail Park (scheduled for August 2005) will all proceed ahead at MP under the supervision from OCPs new Lavitts Quay HQ. The development company have lodged a 1st Party Appeal in contest to the CCC planning decision regarding its Jurys Hotel redevelopment – it claims the reductions made by the company in apartment numbers to satisfy planners and objectors was highly sufficient and the further reduction in planning conditions was unfair. I have to agree with them on this one. A substantial brief has been lodged contesting objectors from Sundays Well who argue the redevelopment would ‘destroy their children’s heritage’. I sincerely hope the project is greenlit the whole way.

A. At least 2 seperate developments envisaged – the design should be distinctive and of a high aesthetical quality.

B. The height of design fronting Kyrls Quay, should be significant enough to mask the existing Kyrls Quay multi-storey and shopping centre – but not over-dominating as to detract from other nearby buildings of important historical reference.

C. Full consideration for the development’s waterfront location should be incorporated.

D. It is preferred, though not obligatory, that the project be of a commercial and/or cultural nature – this is to reflect the history of the Cornmarket Street and Coal Quay areas as important historical trading areas, and to enhance the regeneration efforts which focus on the important, extended CCA (Core Commercial Area) and CCRA (City Centre Retail Area) nature of the area.

E. The project must consider an extension to the quayside road’s width for better traffic management in the area (but with a strategic view to pedestrian adjustment).

F. Public amenity capabilities must be incorporated into the design (e.g. boardwalks [favoured], green areas, timber decking etc)

G. It is preferred, though not obligatory, that any building designs facing the Kyrls Quay waterfront, avail of the curved nature of the quayside/river – within minimal ‘boxy’ features, and a greater emphasis on the sleek.

H. The project overall must be commercially attractive.

I. Consideration will be given to projects wishing to utilise the quay-wall area – where full consideration is given to pedestrian thoroughfares at ground level and sufficient traffic management (e.g. an arched form over quayside road and pathways) – however, the implications and riverside impacts must be documented and justified.

J. The waterfront building(s) should act, in conjunction with the new Shandon Bridge, as a landmark gateway into the renewed Cornmarket Street area – which should be viewed as a major and important commercial thoroughfare for Cork city centre. (I recommend noting the original ‘tower of light’ structure originally proposed as part of the Gate Multiplex building on North Gate Bridge. )

– Thats all I have for now, and they are in my own words, not listed details as I received them through talks with certain persons – but the hints were on those precise lines.

Well Pug, in the absence of word from the oracular Lexington, here’s a list to stimulate some outraged responses from those left-out. You can’t avoid Wilson Architecture and Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects; these are the big boys, and both have done high-quality work. Other competent mid-sizers include RKD McCarthy Lynch, Coughlan DeKeyser Associates, Hudson Associates, Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan, Magee Creedon, SDA O’Flynn, Wain Morehead and Jack Coughlan Associates.

thanks Lex,and redabbeyredux that is VERY much appreciated – I am sure no one will take it as an advertising banner, in fact, given that its a forum, anyone else is more than welcome to give me their input/suggestions if they are not on the list above! 🙂 Thanks again.

@mickeydocs wrote:

Has anyone heard of the possibility of a rail connection between Cork and Belfast, and Cork – Sligo???

jaysus, they cant manage the cork-dublin one, let alone any new ones….

The highly anticipated and long awaited Mahon Point SC opens today – 1st Feb 2005.

75% of stores will be open at 10:30am, with Zara and Next opening by next Saturday. The 13-screen Omniplex will open along with the 1st Phase of the Retail Park in March (where B&Q, Hickeys and Tile King will be anchors). The 2nd Phase opens in August (with J&P among others). The Hilton Hotel, Industrial and Office Parks will follows thereafter.