Look at de state of Cork, like!

The proposed redevelopment of the Capitol Cineplex by John Costello and Mount Kennett Investments is being met with a mix of frowns and haws at Navigation House.

My personal feeling on the project is that it is sub-par externally. The internal ‘tear-drop’ shaped aspects of the project seem to be pretty good, however, for such a landmark site, I do not believe the project is worthy enough in its current form. Its massing and external finishings aren’t up to scratch. The design is by Sabine Wittman of Dungarvan-based The e-Project. I believe the stepping-back of the upper levels in this case detracts from the potential of the development and does not aid its appearance in this instance (although CCC have an affinity for this sort of layout it would seem), furthermore, there are many unpleasant touches like the roof-top railings, apartment and elevator plants that remind one of the ugly St. Patrick’s Quay elevation of the Metropole Hotel.

Looking at the project south-to-north along Grand Parade

North-to-South from Daunt Square, provides a better picture of the project’s massing.

(Also, at long last, I’ve discovered a software that enables me to change and compress original image formats – however, the quality of this is somewhat depleted in the process. Excuse any impurities – the 2nd image required a scan, then compression.)

And while the software is working out (until I can upgrade it), I had promised an image of Howard Holdings’ Lavitts Quay Comfort Inn development of 125-bedrooms over 7-storeys and basement car-parking w/ retail and some office space. The development was designed by Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects, part-and-parcel, of the land-swap deal undertaken between Howard Holdings and Thomas Crosbie Holdings allowing the Irish Examiner/Evening Echo avail of top-floor office space (approx. 27,000sq ft +) at City Quarter (see previous posts). The project was met by a degree of criticism from planner Michael Lynch who requested Significant Further Information on the project. RORSA are currently touching up alterations to the design of the project in order to succeed in their planning efforts. I’ll bring details of those changes later on. You can see now perhaps, the problems had with the design. The development will be located between Cork Opera House and 21 Lavitts Quay (seen under construction to the right – I’ll bring a more up-to-date image of that project next week).

Again, this image had to be compressed, printed, re-scanned and further compressed with new software – hence quality. Apologises.

:confused: Does anyone have any pics. of what the Radisson Hotel will look like when completed in Little Island? Also, the Capitol Cineplex building will look like a prison if the plans go ahead! I mean, what the f**k were they thinking?!?!?!

Anxious to get a look inside the new 170,000sq ft Ballincollig Town Centre Shopping Centre before it opens in October 2005? Well, here you go! Click the thumbnail below and check it out for yourself.

The S.C. is the first Phase of a possible 2, with a site to the west of the S.C. zoned for a possible future extension – depending on the need/demand etc. The centre provides a significant retail element to the 500m euro development by O’Flynn Construction. A team of different architectural firms like Wilson Architecture and Reddy O’Riordain Staehli, were employed in the design of the town centre which will incorporate a variety of residential, office and retail provisions in the fast growing suburb. The development is taking shape on the former Murphy’s Barracks as we speak – bought by OFC in 1999 from the Dept. of Defence for an est’d 39m.

Below is a thumbnail of the S.C. lay-out. Dunnes and Easons (Units 10/11 on layout map) are among the tenants, with more to be announced soon. I’ll try and get a heads-up on that when I can. Enjoy!

Just a word, unlike the so-called Dundrum ‘Town Centre’ – which is really just a large shopping centre, the OFC project in Ballincollig can rightfully be called so, as it really is the construction of a new town centre (substantial addition to existing town).

Well for a start just add Mahon Point + Ballincollig Town Centre + em…say, Ladyswell together, and there’s your first billion already.

the capitol thing looks rotten! grey ugly and what were they thinking??? a prison is a good description of it yeah.

Ballincollig looks ok but is just another shopping centre isnt it really, small enough too, same size as wilton isnt it?

*UPDATES*

🙂 OFC have been granted planning by Cork County Council to develop a new 4 to 6 storey apartment building with 45 units over basement car-park along Maryborough Hill, near Douglas. 29 new detached, semi-detached and terrace houses will also be constructed at the site adjoining Rochestown Rise. Hogan Associates of Proby’s Quay handled the design of the development.

🙂 And an interesting little development I’ve been watching for Rathcormac’s Main Street – a 5-unit office block, 4 retail units, 17 houses and 5 apartments, designed by Fermoy-based David Mulcahy Concepts, being developed by Dublin-based Sean O’hAinle – has been also greenlit.

:rolleyes: Also, Mallow GAA have the 207 houses plan for their lands lodged, while Bernie O’Mahony’s plans for Innishannon have been shot down – ouch!

If the Mallow GAA are successful, you can be sure, following the tasty sale cheque – the U-13s will be enjoying many a pleasant changing room for years to come. 😀

😮 Should have some interesting news either late tonight, early tomorrow. And may (MAY – I say!) have some OCP news. 😉

Yes that is a great start but Ballincollig is in the county.So what do you think should we calculate the total level of investment in Cork City?

Well I would consider Ballincollig a suburb, as do OFC who are pitching BTC as a development in Cork’s fastest growing suburb. If we go by disputed city/county lines we may as well count out Douglas, Glanmire, parts of Bishopstown and half the northside. But within existing city boundaries –

recent, current and prospective – I would earmarked it in around a comfortable 2.3bn euros

That’s a very loose calculation of developments within the city limits + Douglas by major private developers only. It doesn’t include a number of projects like the Kingsley, Victoria Mills, Westend etc – or many suburban/city limit projects. Just think of what that would total adding all those other investments.

If you cast your minds back to page 48 of this thread, you may remember an image I posted highlighting some future dockland development sites – one of those included the 0.4acre Reliance Site along Andersons Quay (see below) –

(Pardon the crudeness, just a quick job I threw together heading out the door, will top it up better later.)

– well, it would seem that the site is now up for sale through HOK with a guide of in and around €5m (notice how I used a euro sign! 😀 ). Invites are open for joint development proposals or purchase offers. One of the nautically adventurous directors was already approached in the past (exact dates unknown) with a development offer involving a 6/7 storey office development – however the offer made was below that of the current guide and I’m not quite sure of the status of the proposal at this stage. It remains likely that any future proposal for the waterfront site will be of a predominantly office based nature, though its all up in the air at this stage. Another interesting proposal on Clontarf Street is expected to be lodged by the week-end (formal announcement soon.)

Any development will face across the northern channel of the Lee to view Paul Kenny’s Revenue tailored office development across the water (assuming it gets the go-ahead and consequent RC deal). The Sullivans Quay Government buildings have already been assessed and proposals are under consideration with at least 2 of the bidders for the RC’s new premises.

😮 Blackpool Developments, the subsidary of Clayton Love Jnr et al’s Shipton Group, have been granted planning for the development of a childcare centre and overhead 3-bedroom apartment at 45/46 Dublin Street in Blackpool, near Blackpool S.C. It is the 2nd application for the development, designed by Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan, with the previous submit refused. Initially, planner Fiona McSharry, also refused this new application but the decision was overturned by the Director of Planning, Jim O’Donovan.

@d_d_dallas wrote:

C’mon – it’s not THAT bad. Superior to the other new apartment development nearby. Camden Wharf.

ick.

It’s not that bad outside, agreed, a bit schizophrenic but still it’s a matter of taste. Some two years ago I’ve done all working drawings for both phases, basing on extremely sketchy drawings by Mr. Leahy. The real problems are actually inside, and however frustrating it was, I was unable to correct it without changing the architecture outside, and there was no consent of the author to do it.
There are some bedrooms without windows or with windows facing the internal corridors, which provide no light or proper ventilation. To enter the house one must pass through a real maze of corridor. The first floor apartments face heavy traffic – trucks pass next to the windows at distance smaller than 3 m. Front groundfloor windows take in the smell from the open sewer running paralell to the elevation.
Overall – it might look attractive, but it will be one hell to live in.

No, I dont. It makes me much healthier. Mentally,