Look at de state of Cork, like!
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I am so annoyed to hear An Taisce has thrown another spanner in de works for development in Cork City. Their objection to the the Water St. development is yet another delay in the creation of a vibrant sustainable new urban quarter in Cork City. I’m sick of living in a city full of run down reminants of its past. It needs to shake off the hangover caused by industrial decline and move foward as a modern European city with a built environment to reflect this!
No, it’s not dead thank God! The controversy is just about the fact that An Taisce have objected to the project on fecious grounds. Its just a spanner in the works that will delay the process – a spanner which the project really REALLY didn’t need or warrant.
I just pray that the Cork City Planners have more sense and vision than to let such objection skew the outcome of the planning application for Water Street. Fingers crossed! Not simply for the sake of the developers, but Cork city as a whole. This may not be the biggest development in Cork at the moment, but it is one of the most important.
Luckly the snail pace of developement which persists in the city centre is not occuring in other areas of the county. For example O’ Flynn’s town centre development in Ballincollig is progressing at a swift pace, or at least it appears to be. The first tower crane went up today on the site. Already the steel framed construction of the shopping centre is visible from main street. Also, after visiting the information office located on site and viewing the plan, I got an impression that what is being created in Ballincollig will serve to better Ballincollig by creating a modern town centre in an area which before I would regard as nothing more than a glorified patch of linear sprawl development. I hope it will be a success and if it is, perhaps it will serve as an good step forward for the development of the cork metropolitan area as a whole. We must face the fact that despite attempts by planners, which in an Irish and generally European context have been stringent, our cities are becoming decentred settlements with many centres. Then I ask why we are not paying more attention to the development of these centres as viable sustainable areas, which can compliment the city centre. Death to the semi and all things suburbia!
Yeah – I often wonder if the City Planners are fully aware that their stringent planning in the past has led to cities such as Cork and Dublin, to become increasingly decentred. Commercially, I know Dublin has tried to fight back – Jervis Street SC and the refurbished Roches Stores have certainly brought life back to Henry Street at all levels, incl. street traders. Grafton Street has always had the same role of play as Patrick Street in Cork, and always remained a strong player.
Intrestingly, it is clearly visible to see the increase in street activity of Patrick Street since its renewal. The whole city seems to have been given a fresh breath of life. Hopefully the oncoming Oliver Plunkett Street, Grand Parade and Cornmarket Street renewals will do the same. The two latter have HUGE commercial potential. With the advent of the colossal Mahon Point SC opening and the innovative Ballincollig Town Centre, the city is gonna have to pull its socks up again – I do think O’Callaghan Properties retail proposal on Academy Street was the planners big-gun for retention of the commercial core for Cork in light of these new threats – as well as Rockfell’s plan (though weak) for Cornmarket Street, Frinailla’s for Grand Parade. I only hope to God, O’Callaghan Properties don’t give us another Merchants Quay or Mahon Point on Academy Street – I’m seriously hoping 21 Lavitts Quay was an indication that the firm is becoming more design conscious.
Oh – and I’ve just got wind that a major development announcement for the city centre is expected to be made soon (a pre-planning announcement). I can’t give away the details yet – but I can leave you a few clues and let you figure it out yourself – basically Ward Anderson own a premises in the city centre, a premises zoned for 30,000 sq ft of higher order retail development – and they intend to vacate this premises for a new own within Mahon Point SC. A private investment company is assessing potentials on this site at the moment – and based on their decision, will make an announcement.
Can you give a few more clues… please??? Location (ball park).
Lexington – you seem to be well up on things at proposal stage – are there any plans for the dreaded Capitol Cinema? It is my fantasy to see that razed. Approaching the city centre from Washington St, that carbuncle is something I’d like to see removed.
d_d_dallas
i’d say you’ve already made a good guess on where lexington was referring to – capitol cinema grand parade by any chance?
Well Ward Anderson only have one city centre premises that could cater for 30,000 sq ft – and since you’ve mentioned it, I don’t have to tell you.
When Mahon Point SC opens next Feburary, Ward Anderson intend to transfer their operations from the Capitol to a new 11-screen multiplex at the SC, freeing up the Capitol on Grand Parade for retail space. (see City Manager Joe Gavin’s city report Nov 2003) And since I’ve already opened my yak, I may as well tell you the plan by the private investment firm will include a 6-storey over dual basement retail and leisure development w/ food-court, 20 – retail outlets, 3 late-bars and apparently 2 night-clubs – and depending on insurance, Cork’s 1st permanent ice-rink (OH YEAH!) at the upper basement level.
Complimentary plans by the same firm incl. the pedestrianisation of Grand Parade/Washington Street junction (to facilitate increased pedestrian activity/passing volume – as experienced by Patrick Street renewal – and to fall in-line with current CCC development designed by Beth Gali, promoting a saving in public expenditure) and a short 4-lane underground tunnel for traffic off Washington Street to Grand Parade South and vice-versa – thus allowing for an extension of the Western Elevation of the development and facilitation of a 194-space underground car-park and delivery bay at the lower basement level.
The estimated cost = 30-million euro. The design draws influence from that of a classic French Chateau – complimenting the nearby Heugenot Quarter, with a curved, sloping Mansard-style black-slate roof, two large stone colums extending 5-storeys to the ornate entrance facade (which makes reference the facade present on nearby Cornmarket Street for the Coal Quay Bar and Loft Carpet Store). A modern element is accomodated between the two front columns in the form of a curved, glass bay window extending 5-storeys also between the facade and roof.
But I stress, these plans (as with the plans for Irish Distillers) are ONLY at a pre-planning/feasibility study stage – meaning they could either be just ideas, or could be seriously altered, abandoned, or never even get through planning process – but fingers crossed.
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On a more active note, I took a trip out to Ballincollig Town Centre there yesterday and its really encouraging to see the pace of development there. Already a large number of houses are up, a brand-spanking new tower crane has been erected for the office element (as far as I know, this is O’Flynn Construction’s first such crane with 2 more planned, one for Eglinton Street and another for Lapps Quay No.6 I assume), and the Shopping Centre steel frame almost complete. The SC at BTC isn’t on the same scale as Mahon Point but will still be amongst Cork’s largest.thanks for all the info lexington.
which proposal do you find the most exciting in terms of putting Cork on the map?
Subconscious… or just plain obvious?!?
Galvin’s report from November and the fact I knew the Mahon Point cinema was linked to the Capitol… join… the… dots…
Must pay more attention
Originally posted by mickeydocs
thanks for all the info lexington.which proposal do you find the most exciting in terms of putting Cork on the map?
Hey mickey! I think there are a lot of exciting projects in Cork city at the moment – many of which rival and even surpass that of anything in Dublin, or Europe for that matter – it’s a nice change. But I do think, and I will stress this relentlessly, the project for Water Street represents probably the single most important proposal for Cork in many many years.
Anyone who knows me will tell you, I don’t have a great affliction for apartment developments, but Water Street is far more significant than just another apartment development – it not only represents a landmark project (the tallest building in Ireland – a title Cork has always held), not only does it represent the confidence investors have placed in the Cork city market, not only does it represent whether or not the city planners have the foresight they seem to have traditionally lack til that of recent years, but it represents the future for Cork city and the Cork Docklands. A refusal of permission will throw future investment (in the Cork Docklands), market confidence and further Docklands proposals into turmoil – this will offset the willigness of further projects, no indefinitely, but certain for a period of time. That’s not an exaggeration, trust me, I know – its a belief widely held throughout the Cork Business Community.
Sean Kearns, architect with MOLA for Water Street, has informed me that he is almost certain now that CCC will request further info. He says they are prepared for that and also says that he understands and accepts concerns expressed by Lower Glanmore Road residents will relation to the project – saying that the project can be adjusted just enough to accomodate them, but says the big fear is that An Taisce will bring the project to ABP on appeal. However, he also says that MOLA are prepared for such an unfair and unwarranted possibility.
-> that aside, some plans for the Docklands (if they go ahead) are very exciting eg. Treasury Holdings National Convention Centre on Horgan’s Quay.
Also exciting -> O’Flynn Construction’s Retail/Residential development on Eglinton Street. O’C Properties Conference Centre at Mahon Point, 21 Lavitts Quay (one of my favourites), City Quarter and Teschem (Howard Holdings) new office building for Albert’s Quay and nreaby IT/Business Centre. Also John Mannix’s development is brilliant for Washington Street.
Plus there are rumours that one of Cork’s major pharma giants w/ a plant at Cork Harbour, is looking into the possibility of constructing it’s European and Middle-Eastern HQ at a brand new, purpose built 90,000 sq ft office building in the Kennedy Quay region. However, I personally view this as unlikely, as most of these pharma companies have invested millions in office facilities at the current plant locations recently as it is, and have most other admin. work performed elsewhere. Nonetheless, it’s a nice idea.
> and while we’re on the topic, the 1 new project that sparks zero excitement with me is the Cork City Hall Extension. The words ‘utterly’ and ‘dire’ spring to mind. Architects = ABK. If An Taisce want to object about something, let it be that, I’ll actually support them on the grounds of ‘defamation of an elegant, historical city building’. Ya know, for a council that has demanded such a high standard of design from new developments in the city, they could have led by example. For 32-million euro, they could get a lot more bang for their buck. If anyone has any pics of the extension, do post them, so everyone else can sigh.I’d love to see the FAS building on Sullivan’s Quay demolished and a new landmark city library built on the site. Short of that, could the OPW paint the thing in time for the year of culture?
Had a free hand rendering of the Grand Parade/Washington Street junction retail development (on Capitol Cinema site) I under-handedly encountered in developers office and drew myself, but it is SO bad I have to delete it. Will endeavour to get a proper architect designed rendering or CGI if possible.
Otherwise, ignore this post!
Well Ward Anderson only have one city centre premises that could cater for 30,000 sq ft – and since you’ve mentioned it, I don’t have to tell you.
When Mahon Point SC opens next Feburary, Ward Anderson intend to transfer their operations from the Capitol to a new 11-screen multiplex at the SC, freeing up the Capitol on Grand Parade for retail space. (see City Manager Joe Gavin’s city report Nov 2003) And since I’ve already opened my yak, I may as well tell you the plan by the private investment firm will include a 6-storey over dual basement retail and leisure development w/ food-court, 20 – retail outlets, 3 late-bars and apparently 2 night-clubs – and depending on insurance, Cork’s 1st permanent ice-rink (OH YEAH!) at the upper basement level.
Complimentary plans by the same firm incl. the pedestrianisation of Grand Parade/Washington Street junction (to facilitate increased pedestrian activity/passing volume – as experienced by Patrick Street renewal – and to fall in-line with current CCC development designed by Beth Gali, promoting a saving in public expenditure) and a short 4-lane underground tunnel for traffic off Washington Street to Grand Parade South and vice-versa – thus allowing for an extension of the Western Elevation of the development and facilitation of a 194-space underground car-park and delivery bay at the lower basement level.
The estimated cost = 30-million euro. The design draws influence from that of a classic French Chateau – complimenting the nearby Heugenot Quarter, with a curved, sloping Mansard-style black-slate roof, two large stone colums extending 5-storeys to the ornate entrance facade (which makes reference the facade present on nearby Cornmarket Street for the Coal Quay Bar and Loft Carpet Store). A modern element is accomodated between the two front columns in the form of a curved, glass bay window extending 5-storeys also between the facade and roof.
But I stress, these plans (as with the plans for Irish Distillers) are ONLY at a pre-planning/feasibility study stage – meaning they could either be just ideas, or could be seriously altered, abandoned, or never even get through planning process – but fingers crossed.
_________________________________________________
On a more active note, I took a trip out to Ballincollig Town Centre there yesterday and its really encouraging to see the pace of development there. Already a large number of houses are up, a brand-spanking new tower crane has been erected for the office element (as far as I know, this is O’Flynn Construction’s first such crane with 2 more planned, one for Eglinton Street and another for Lapps Quay No.6 I assume), and the Shopping Centre steel frame almost complete. The SC at BTC isn’t on the same scale as Mahon Point but will still be amongst Cork’s largest.*UPDATES*
A new Lidl discount foodstore for Churchfield, Cork has been refused planning permission on the grounds that it would be out of place in an area zone for Light Industrial Use – and also that it would affect the business of a nearby Centra.
….wait a second, whatever happened to competition??? Isn’t that what drives consumer quality and better pricing???
That’s like the MW Health-Board objecting to a McDonald’s Restaurant in Ennis because it would adversely affect children’s healthy eating. WTF??? Has the whole world gone mad???
-> Also, meeting An Taisce Corcaigh tomorrow. DENDENDUN!!!
Thanks as always for the insights Lexington.
Also exciting -> O’Flynn Construction’s Retail/Residential development on Eglinton Street.
— Don’t you think that this would also be a great site for an event centre.
there are rumours that one of Cork’s major pharma giants w/ a plant at Cork Harbour, is looking into the possibility of constructing it’s European and Middle-Eastern HQ at a brand new, purpose built 90,000 sq ft office building in the Kennedy Quay region.
— Haven’t Novartis had planning applications rejected – Johnson & Johnson have three separate sites in Ireland (Depuy, Alza & Janssen) and are looking at consolidation of their current activities, so I’m guessing it’s one of these.
while we’re on the topic, the 1 new project that sparks zero excitement with me is the Cork City Hall Extension. The words ‘utterly’ and ‘dire’ spring to mind. Architects = ABK.
— Do you have any images of this?
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