ewankennedy

I wonder how advanced the GAA are actually on redevelopment plans for Pairc ui chaoimh. If it just suggestive we could be years away yet. And i also have to agree that in principle Horgans qy seems great for an event centre but the site seems to small and any centre there would seem very congested. I still think that the Showgrounds site at the western end could be better used for such a facility and the rest of the place could be a park.

I was walking down Market lane today into the English market and saw the big SOLD sign on the door of the Instinct bar which was said to have been bought by Joe O’Donovan for his retail scheme. I was just wondering if anyone knows whether he has bought the post office on Grand parade next to the Capital cinema as well?? It would give the Grand parade frontage a much better look as if was just the Capital the development would look lobsided when you look down Washington street and totally off considering that general heights along this side of the street run between 4 and 5 storeys except the post office which is 2 storeys and looks out of place. I hope he has could it would improve the street and views toward the street substantially.

@ewankennedy wrote:

So what have they decided so far? Any mention on building heights?? Uses??

Can anyone answer that question?? I’d be very interested to know.

Also i know I’ve asked this already but no one seemed to answer about O’Flynns having any plans for the South docklands??

Oh one other thing will there ever be movement on the Mannix site on Washington street? It must have planning almost 2 years at this stage and still nothing. I think along with the Parnell place hotel it is probably one of the most need rejuvenation projects in Cork city centre? Its a shame this has got going. The same should be said for the long long overdue redevelopment of the Kino cinema further up the street. What is happening with these 2??

@lexington wrote:

😮 June 6th 2006 represents the scheduled decision date of the eagerly anticipated CentrePoint scheme at Clontarf Street. The scheme proposed by business-trio DAT Partnership (who are also active on a number of other schemes including residential projects in Kerry) and designed by architects Coughlan de Keyser will be in planning over a year when a decision is made. The proposal initially posited a futuristic, striking 9-storey office building cantilevered over the footpaths which border the tiny triangular site bound by Deane Street, Lower Oliver Plunkett Street and Clontarf Street – subject to concerns by Cork City Council on matters such as its cantilevered nature and heights of the southern elevation with respect to the buildings relationship to surrounding structures like No.6 Lapps Quay – a revised design was articulated. The new design toned down the futuristic aspect and focused on a more traditional, but equally striking construction finished at a reduced height (although still 9-storeys) and finished with limestone and glazing materials. The building is representative of a Flatiron Building type structure, with a curved-glazed stairwell rising almost the full-height of the building along the northern elevation. A number of lighting features are proposed to give the scheme a dynamic and active presence both day and night. Canopies overhang a number of the glazed features along the east and southern elevations, not dis-similar to those currently adorning the CityQuarter office building along Lapps Quay. Despite continued concerns related to height, the design team have maintained the need for the current height on economic and design grounds. Whether Cork City Council will be able to look beyond the emerging standardised height patterns will be matter for revelation on the decision day.

Certainly that is a plan i’m look forward to seeing come to life myself but not far away is the hotel plan for Parnell place. The Pitwood proposal. I’m particularly anxious to see that move for a number of reasons among them the condition of the protected facades which seriously need some TLC. I read ages back in one of the newspapers that the developer was in discussion with the council about getting a move on this as soon as possible. Does anyone know more?? I think this is probably one of the more urgent schemes needed to get a move on.

Was looking at the new section to the Camden court apartment scheme across the way from the Opera house. Its coming on nicely and it looks like, in my opinion, one of the best architectural apartment schemes in the city centre. It was designed by James Leahy architects, but i was on the RIAI website there recently and it says there is a James Bourke architects, is this the same James Bourke who worked with James Leahys? Or a different fellow altogether? If it is the same James Bourke has he started up his own new practice or what??

I dont have access to the Irish Times website but there is an article by Frank McDonald today in it about O’Callaghan properties plan for Academy street and its further information requests.

@Pug wrote:

excellent, good to see buildings of that size, hopefully it will look better than Victoria Cross – CSD will go nuts.

The problem is there are no ‘buildings of that size’ going in. At 6 storeys it’ll be just the same as everything else in the area. I wasnt for the original building and even the revised plan wasnt an ideal but at least a little bit of height, even at the 8 storeys would have given a bit of variety to heights or even complimented the 9 storey Victoria mills building to some extent. Now we just get a repeat of everything else. From the ground 6 storeys will block views from Victoria cross to County hall in any event. Given that, they might have as well left the extra 2 floors and given some variety to the area. It still wouldnt have affected the long distance views that given County hall its presence. Evenso the design above the 2nd floor facing Victoria cross did nothing for me. Seems like ridiculous conditioning. If you’re going to knock that much off you may as well just refuse it. Another Water street type scenario.

@jdivision wrote:

@ewankennedy wrote:

Did you find out anymore about O’Flynns seeking to buy the Anglesea street Garda station land to the rear on Eglinton street or is it all a bit of urban fluff??

his people are denying it

Must be all a bit of urban fluff so after all. Its a pity cos it would be such a good proposition with O’Flynns getting a prime site just across the way from their Eglinton street. The guards getting a nice cash injection and possibly much need parking space at basement levels and the city gaining a more consistent building pattern in the area rather than a sore looking gap in such a prominent street corner. Thanks though.

Speaking of the guards i wonder if any development at Kyrls quay will affect them in the Bridewell station. Lex said a few weeks back the iron providers site was up for sale. I read somewhere that it was selling for 5 million euro. Any one know how the dale is goin or have any details on it?? I hope any developer buying it takes in the corporation sites next door and that old Philips warehouse on the quay. It would make such an amazing development opportunity.

@bunch wrote:

Werdna Limited (Applicant)

Werdna Limited (Appellant)

05/29379

Case is due to be decided by 06-06-2006

And it goes on and on and on…

June? The appeal will have been in the process well over a year at that stage. And its spend the same going through Cork city council. 🙁

@kite wrote:

Is it the Dennehys site you refer to?, 2 bed apts. have been sold for 430,000 euro, ok value given the location. (this price includes a car park space)

No kite I mean the site next to Top car motors. The prices go up to 695,000 euros for a 2 bedroom penthouse and around 420,000 for a standard 2 bedroom and prices dont include a parking space which are selling for 45,000 euros per space. It makes me wonder how long auctioneers and developers want the property market boom to last. Are they just trying to squeeze things for what they’re worth now cos they secretly not confident in the long term prospects of the market?? Of course thats dangerous talk. Seems to me that if they want the property boom to last longer a more restrained price approach would benefit all.