lexington
Forum Replies Created
- Posts
@Leesider wrote:
Excuse my ignorance here Lex but why do you think that Aer Arann don’t get it??………..presume you think there is potnetial for both of them to operate on the service??
Well yes I do. First off, I’m a strong advocate of market lberalisation and competition – in capitalist terms, Ryanair is something of an icon – however, as a self-proclaimed supporter of competition, an important part of any healthy market is choice. A firm I input into had a niche development scheme that had the potential to soak up the market place for it’s targeted sector – quite comfortably, through the idea I was involved in, the firm could have approached the market and cleaned it. However, it was realised that doing so would strategically disbenefit the creation of new markets/demand niches consequent of this activity. One must realise that given room to breathe – a one market creates alternate options, “trends” which allow for further innovation and market advantage which allow a firm feed off of and grow. Essentially, competition is beneficial for all concerned and market dominance by one firm can create a monopolistic situation which often provides stagnant or lumbering market stimulation. Ryanair’s advocation for competition, then actions which are essentially destructive growth options, are self-contradicting in nature. Indeed, a firm should strive to assert its position as high up the food chain as possible – and cut throat competition is indeed that, cut throat – but preying on fledglings is not strictly healthy competition. What Aer Arann originally recognised, but now seems to have forgotten, is that the predominant usage of the Cork-Dublin route (weekdays at least) is formal (over 53%) – generally, what is demanded of a service is flexibility, and in this sense, frequency. A business person, say, wishes to be at the meeting desk before 9am in Dublin, so he catches the 7am flight up, and be home on the last flight out at 10pm. Ryanair are offering 3 flights a day (Cork to Dublin: 06.45, 09.15, 16.40 and Dublin to Cork: 08:00, 11:05, 17:55). Aer Arann services 9 weekday flights a day (Cork to Dublin: 07.00, 08.00, 0900, 1000, 1200, 1500, 1700, 1800, 2000 and Dublin to Cork: 0730, 0830, 0930, 1330, 1430, 1630, 1830, 1930, 2230). Frequency is Aer Arann’s best asset here – they can achieve this by utilising small, quick turnaround aircraft like the ATR42 and AT72 which packs in about 60 passengers at the most. Ryanair are using larger 189-seater 737-800’s whose higher capacity can offer reduced fares but also limits their frequency options. Aer Arann also distinguish themselves on other little things like, easy-on easy-off boarding, free newspaper on early morning “business flights” etc etc, it all factors in – can you see Ryanair offering a free IT on their 0.645 flight to Dublin?! It’s the corporate sense that attracts many business personnel and the associated freequency that allows them travel up or return at a time suited to them – this may sometimes be confused with snobbery, but that’s a simplified, perhaps naive assumption to make. 0.99c one way fares (plus taxes, fees etc) aren’t the be all and end all. Aer Arann may have made a ‘safe’ bet, but essentially, in hanging out their white flag in advance of the battle, they have handed Ryanair a percentage of their market share on a silver platter without Ryanair even having to do anything. That’s not ‘healthy’ competition.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus quite frankly, have little genuine interest in Cork Airport – they’re publicised ‘commitments’ are much more subject to circumstance and picking up the slack created by other airlines before them. Perhaps the greatest initiative Aer Lingus has shown Cork was the launch of its Warsaw service – recognising the sizeable Polish population in Cork and taking advantage of it’s potential. Aer Arann and Easyjet have perhaps shown a little more ‘genuine’ interest in Cork – for the former, Cork was a serious growth base and contributed significantly to that airline’s organic development. A innovative airline carves new pathways, a lazy airline just picks up the slack. Competition is about distinction and innovation, not replication and stagnation. Remember Samsung for years replicated the innovation of Sony – but its serious growth phase sparked as a result of organic R&D fuelling distinction and ultimately its quality. The hope is however, if Ryanair experience success on these new routes, it will fuel their interest in developing further – hopefully continental routes – from Cork. The pessimist says however, if they had been so successful on their London routes, why weren’t such expansion proposals more forthcoming in the past? (And I have considered market and fee issues).
d_d_dallas – I agree that the ESB would not likely wind-up Marina Point, if anything, we are approaching an energy defecit. Industries in Little Island, the city centre, growing population and general increase in electricity usage all adds to the pressure.🙂 Lush have been cleared to proceed with the appropriate alterations to the premises at 96 Oliver Plunkett Street, on which the company has a long-term lease, and will now open it’s first stand-alone Cork store.
Ryanair move forces Aer Arann to slash Cork-Dublin flights
12:59 Wednesday September 21st 2005Aer Arann has announced plans to reduce the number of flights it operates between Cork and Dublin by two-thirds.
The company said it was forced into the move as a result of Ryanair’s move to operate three return flights every day on the same route.Aer Arann said it could not compete with Ryanair’s 99-cent-a-seat offer for the flights, but added that no jobs were at risk because of the cutbacks.
Irish Independent
🙁 I don’t think Aer Arann get it…
@Aidan wrote:Any word on what this power station would be fuelled by?
The station would be gas fed Aidan.
What I would be interested in is to see how this station, should it be granted, impacts on Marino Point in the docklands. I doubt the ESB would invalidate the station there but nonetheless, one wonders. :confused:
@Radioactiveman wrote:
A ‘thames barrier’ type project for the river, while ideal, is hardly realistic in the medium term due to the enormous costs involved.
I disagree, the long term costs to homes and businesses that are most often subject to flooding, over a long-term period justify such an investment – and that’s how the barrier should be viewed, an investment. With rising water levels and increased levels of adverse/freak weather conditions, Cork cannot afford to continue over the next few decades without such a system. Much of the city centre island is actually below sea-level. The installation of such a barrier may also aid issues of flood insurance cover that many homes and businesses are without due to the regularity of such circumstances. Now indeed, there are many other side issues that are responsible for flooding, but by reducing the impact and removing the source elements of some of these causes is indeed favourable. Recent events in the city centre are surely an indication of what damage can actually be caused in the absence of some form of decent resistance structure. Furthermore, a controlled water level will allow for increases in investment and development opportunities from water uses such as transport, to marinas, berthing fees income etc etc. The long-term payoff is well worth the investment if it is done correctly. A transport mechanism, utilising the river, may also in part alleviate road-wear and traffic congestion – which all impacts on infastructural maintenance as well as health implications and associated costs respectively.
Ruling out such a strategy with consideration to the medium term is hardly logical, after all, it is a long-term investment and would be undertaken as so in any event.
@corkdood wrote:
It struck me yesterday that if only the city council had the vision to construct a version of the Thames Barrier to control water levels in the Lee in order to maintain a steady water level along the quays ensuring that the ugly green quay walls were always covered. What a pleasant place the city quays would become. The stench of rotting green seaweed would be merely a memory. Boatingand pleasure trips on the river could become a viable reality. The development of a boardwalk along the river would be feasible and Corkonians could be proud of the Lee instead of holding their noses when they traverse the city’s bridges at low tide. It would also encourage tourism and enhance the image of the city.
Do we as a city have the vision and the wherewithall to bring such a project to life? It is a dream of mine to see such a project brought to fruition in my lifetime. What do others think?
In the 2001 Cork Docklands Development Strategy Draft prepared for CCC by Urban Initiatives just such a system was proposed. The location was set for the breadth between Water Street and Marina Park. It was noted however that such a system would be costly and may be a visual disamenity as far as the river is concerned. Furthermore, it would hinder the scale of vessels entering the existing Port of Cork space along the quays during construction and following completion. Personally, I believe with the PoC relocating the majority of its activities to the Deep Water Berth at Ringaskiddy, the requirement for large scale vessels docking in the city would be less required. The predominant nature of vessels within this location should be restricted to leisure usage, water-buses and the occassional foreign naval visit. Interestingly, with Custom House Quay seeking to be redeveloped, the NADP 2005 proposed a extension pier to the eastern head of the CHQ site to allow berthings of perhaps such vessels, whilst allowing the quayside itself to be redeveloped.
I think were such a scheme to be proposed, the combination of such a barrier system could be incorporated into the Water Street Bridge scheme – minimising any visual impact and providing an aesthetically pleasing ‘mask’ in the shape of the Water Street Bridge.
Indeed such a scheme would be costly, but I think in strategic terms, the investment would be well worthwhile from issues of flooding, regulation, hygiene, amenity value and related economic and socio-economic benefits. The River Lee is perhaps Cork’s most valuable, yet under utilised resource. The city and the city’s docklands extensive waterfronts are a real prize. Clearly the scale of such a barrier would not be equivalent to that of the Thames and I would be very much of the mind that CCC, the DoE and Dept. of Marine should sincerely consider this option.
Water Street Bridge ProposalInteresting Link: Thames River Barrier
🙂 Cork County Council are to apply to CCC for the development of a new County Library HQ building on their County Hall lands. The new building will rise 6-storeys over basement and house a new archive and book processing unit, new library areas, exhibition area and office accommodation on upper floors. A 2-storey wing will extend for the main building structure and enclose a new courtyard area. The development is to be constructed on the surface car-park area to the west of the existing Cork County Hall protected structure, with the car-park being relocated. As part of the application, CorkCoCo will also seek to add a further level to the newly constructed multi-storey car-park, as part of the wider redevelopment of the premises, nearby. Shay Cleary Architects will be heading up the design.
– this development is significant in that, should it be granted, the partial obstruction (and I don’t use that word in a negative sense) of the western facade by the new building could pave justification for future proposals to the east and west of the tower which may be of a high-rise nature (especially to the west, where recently freed up development land provides a unique opportunity to develop a significant gateway high-rise). That includes the recently proposed 15-storey tower structure at the Crow’s Nest site off Victoria Cross.
View east to west of the Crow’s Nest and Victoria Terrace – with Cork County Hall in the background.
corkdood – I haven’t heard of anything myself. Anyone?A number of lesser-known, or supposedly less controversial developments – especially in the Blackrock area of Cork have caught my eye of late. A recent excursion down the Old Blackrock Road found the O’Callaghan Properties development at the former Rochelle School site, designed by Dennehy + Dennehy, nearing completion with John Paul Construction on-site. The development has materialised well in the flesh and marks a further turn by OCP in aiming higher in the design standards of their projects. The project is fitting of its location and possesses a simple tastefulness about it without ever over-powering its surrounds. I especially like the balcony and parameter railings which adorn the proposal.
COMPLETED IMAGE LATER
Further down, along the main Blackrock Road, Bowen Construction are putting the final touches to the development of 60,000sq ft of office space over predominantly 4-levels in a project by SHUL Developers, designed by Wilson Architecture, at Tellenganna Lodge. However, the development can only truly be appreciate from the Monahan Road perspective. It’s a shame potential amenity green-space has been lost to the area, but the developers, design team and contractors have done a good job on a project that has also materialised positively in the flesh. Finishing materials and cladding works are now being applied to the new office building, with landscaping efforts also ongoing. From Monahan Road, the project looks over the southern docklands region from its commanding position atop a sloped perch. The development in some ways seems to be casting it’s eye over what will become an exciting new urban quarter for the city at the docklands. In this respect, Tellenganna Lodge represents one of the first major docklands commercial projects to reach completion.
CG Image of the development – Northern and Eastern elevations showing.COMPLETED IMAGE LATER
Also, a recent tour, in part, of Ballincollig Town Centre has left me generally impressed with what O’Flynn Construction (OFC) have undertaken and consequently, achieved thus far. The architectural consideration afforded the “Old Quarter” residential element of the €500m town centre development is indeed of a higher calibre than many other housing estates that emerge around the city and its environs. The shopping centre is emerging perhaps a little better in the flesh (my phrase of the day it would seem!) than many would previously have anticipated with the new office campus, deisgned by RORSA, proceeding swiftly at the old Military/Barracks Square.
Old Quarter boulevard rendering
5-bedroom Style A Housing Type at Old Quarter
Completed Style C House @ Old QuarterMORE COMPLETED IMAGES SOON
Also on Ballincollig, Aldi Stores Developments are moving on their apparent ‘town centre’-style development at the former John A. Woods premises near the entrance to the Ballincollg Gun Powder Mills, adjacent to OFC’s BTC Office Campus. The development will include a new Aldi discount foodstore with first floor offices, 11 further retail units, 12 apartments, signange, car parking and all ancillary site development works.
😮 The National Software Centre/Software Development Centre Limited is set to apply to develop the 2nd Phase of it’s Campus at Mahon – not far from Mahon Point. The original centre was designed by Wilson Architecture and built by John Paul Construction. The 4-storey, 54,000sq ft building houses a number of firms including the Cork BIC (Business Innoation Centre), Nortel Networks, Checkpoint Technologies and Wain Morehead Architects among them. The ultimate plan for the campus was to see 8 blocks, housing up to 500,000sq ft of office space and a new multi-storey car-park. O’Callaghan Properties (OCP) have their own plans for over 100,000sq ft of offices nearby at Mahon Point. This development will include a further 4-storey block, with mezzanine level and provision for 50 car-parking spaces – it will be located just off the existing block. Wain Morehead Architects will be handling the application on behalf of the SDC, with Arup in a consulting engineers role.
🙂 The proposal by Cork City Council (and I believe it has been expressed by Cork County Council for certain locations around the city and suburbs) to bring into policy a condition obligating new city residential development units to be provided with bicycles by developers has been met with mixed reactions across some spectors in the development and development related community.
Personally, I don’t have a problem with it. For a long time I’ve wished to see the city centre island subject to large-scale pedestrianisation (at least during peak times 9.30am to 7pm for example). The city centre is ever more so becoming a congestive block of endless traffic backlogs. A figure conducted by UCC Geography Department in 2003 averaged peak-time traffic in the city at approx. 11.2 kph (will double check that figure!) – off the top of my head I can’t remember the like figure for Dublin. This figure has undoubtedly reduced in the past 2 years. Part of CCC policy aims to create the city centre as a more sustainable living environment, attracting long-term, predominantly owner-occupiers into the city after years of suburban exodus. The 2002 CSO Census statistics confirmed that the city centre population had decreased like-for-like on the 1996 findings (April 25th 2006 is the next scheduled census). At the same time, significant increases in Cork’s suburban and perhiphery populations were also documented. Population projections for the South-West Region (Cork city, county and Kerry) were, by 2021 expected to increase by 124,000 souls (to 705,000) based on CSO Projections dated May 25th 2005, however that finding has since been revised upward given recently released population (organic and inorganic) growth statistics. Recent ESRI and CSO reports both indicated their expectancy that Cork city and environs will absorb a substantial volume of this increase. One NUI Economist (who asked not to be quoted by name) indicated he could see, by 2012, Cork city’s (suburbs, some of which are considered CorkCoCo jurisdiction, and city centre inclusive) population increase by as much as 20,000 to 25,000. An approximate growth average of 3,571 every year from now until September 2012 or a respectable 2.9% (approx.) per annum (taking 22,500 as the median value) – it must be remembered however, that this does not take heed of fast growing population rates in Commuter Belt settlements like Midelton, Ballincollig (agruably a suburb – whose population by 2018 is expected to rise to 40,000), Mallow, Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Blarney/Tower, Glanmire (which consequent of recently lodged or proposed developments should increase district population by a possible 6,000 ~ 4,000 of which could well be facilitated at the 2 OFC proposals alone), Rathcormac and Macroom etc. Incorporating these figures into the overall frame, paints a very healthy growth pattern. The dependency of these commuter settlements on the city paints a positive picture for development in Cork city when considered alongside city centre statistics. However, what is important to consider in this context are key factors such as infastructure, patterned growth arrangements and especially jobs – or perhaps more specifically, job types and their associated wage packets.
From an infastructural perspective, the development of commuter rail-lines (as proposed for Mallow, Blarney, possibly Blackpool and along the Midelton Commuter belt including existing structures at Cobh) is vital – from an environmental, sustainability, traffic management and economic perspective (especially individual and family economic perspectives). However, bulk growth in the southern region of the city must be accounted for as well. Current infastructural and public transport services are just, if at all, coping at peak times. Generally speaking, average wealth bases in the southern divide of the city exceed those of the north – this would suggest, in some respects, higher disposable incomes and by logical deduction, higher numbers of cars – Carrigaline is recognised as being the most car dependent town in Ireland. Actual volumes do become more balanced in real terms when consideration is applied to influx traffic consequent of commuter flows from the larger, more numerous commuter settlements to the north (and in this sense, we may consider Charleville, Mitchelstown, Fermoy etc among them) – even so, stronger emphasis will need to be applied to providing sufficient infastructural capacities in the south region, and more roads are not the way to go. Private input will be essential in the absence of required public spending – where public ‘monetary supply’ does not maintain level with demand.
But back to jobs – in order to sustain any viable growth, a sufficient money base/market is required. This is ultimately determined on jobs/wage units. Tertiary sector based employment generally tends to have a lower economic output/productivity than say industrial or manufacturing – in this sense attracting foreign bodies for providing predominatly tertiary-rooted operations (e.g. finance etc) will have to be justified on an output, skill and/or niche basis. R&D is a valuable component is establishing niche characteristics – and provides a competitive, if only ‘temporary’, edge over competitors (i.e. other locations). Sufficient anti is required strategically to continue defining Cork as a unique and desirable operations base with respectable wage levels. Retail employment, as a third sector employer, will more often than not, fail to sustain sufficient long-term employment with strong wage levels – with the exception of management/administritive positions. However, as the largest market sector in the country – it remains an invaluable economic contributor. Throughout other sectors, the aforementioned characteristics of niche, skill and competitive output will be required more and more to support sufficient wage levels and to support other employment sectors such as retail, leisure, finance etc. Furthermore, the volume of these higher wage units distributed across the growing population will need to be increased. Indigenous or MNC, the difference other than that of domestic and regional/national products is minimal. For example, as demonstrated by Glen Dimplex/Morphy Richards, when push comes to shove – if a labour market, even a domestic one, proves unsustainable or does not reach a sufficient/desired pay-off, operations are shifted off to China! Generally, unless there is a large concentration of the like, administration and finance-based activities, do not employ the same volumes as the productive dimensions do (although that can vary business to business 😉 ).
I could blab on for hours – but in conclusion, with the growth in population – the increased activity in city centre residential development, it is posited that city centre activity and occupancy levels will and are rising. CCC seemed, in the case of Eglinton Street for example, to have come to the acceptance that large-basement car-parking facilities for big residential schemes can be justified given the long-term nature or lower traffic movements (with respect to location) of the vehicles involved. I would agree – but with higher population volumes, come higher general movements. With infastructural elements not yet nearing their optimum, car travel still remains the dominant means of transport – whether suburban or commuter. The continually growing volumes mean higher congestion rates. Until a sufficient public accessible transport system comes into effect, any alleviation of traffic input is welcome. If this means removing one element, even city sourced traffic – to some extent (some people will never bother and the other sticking point is Irish weather) – by introducing/providing bicycles with new residential schemes, than the better we are for that. And healthier hopefully!
However, if developers do fund a bicycle per unit, CCC must be expected to do their part providing dedicated, safe cycle-lanes – some with parallel retractable canopies in times of bad weather (thus encouraging the use of bicycles even in poorer weather) – and proceeding with important public transport implementations.
Figure Sources:
CSO
ESRI
CCC
CorkCoCo
NUI@ewankennedy wrote:
Does anyone know who will be building Eglinton street? will the O’flynns be doing it themselves??? And who were the architects/planners for the Howard holdings masterplan in the docklands?? anyone?
As far as I am aware, the tender for Eglinton Street hasn’t gone out yet but is expected to do so soon.
As for the Howard Holdings Masterplan, word is that Murray O’Laoire were involved but I have no confirmation on that.
🙁 I see Fleming Construction were refused planning on their 60-berth marina for the Fota Island Resort. Hmmm.:confused: Following the successful votes by Cork County Council regarding rezoning of the Mallow GAA grounds and lands near Midelton, Castlelands Construction looks set to proceed with their proposed development of 200 houses in Mallow and are preparing an application for well over 700 new homes in Midelton. The Midelton zoning is permitted following a promise by Castlelands to provide 8m euros toward the development of a new fly-over near the Ballincurra junction to alleviate the projected gridlock of the area. As part of the Mallow deal, Castlelands will provide the Mallow GAA with land for new grounds near the town. Castlelands dealings with the GAA however are not believed to be strictly limited to Mallow, as speculation continues to mount regarding their involvement with a docklands development in the city. However an unconfirmed rumour also indicates that Castlelands may have also been assessing the 11-acre Ford Motor Co. site currently the subject of bidding. As I said, this has not been confirmed and is mere speculation.
🙂 International construction firm Laing O’Rourke are looking to set up an office in Cork within the next few months. The firm already has offices in Dublin and Galway, and is also assessing setting up and office in Limerick. A reliable company source noted that Laing O’Rourke has identified Cork as being an exciting expansion opportunity and noted that the move represents their vote of confidence in the Leeside market. LOR will be seeking to competitively win contracts on a number of fronts – more details on that when they become available.
😮 River Island have indicated that they are actively seeking for an additional but larger sized unit in Cork. A company insider stated that the Academy Street development nearby didn’t present an immediate attraction to the company, but it would assess their options nonetheless. Preference has been expressed for any new unit to be at least twice the size of their existing city centre operation on Patrick’s Street.🙁 The James Leahy & Associates designed plan for Pitwood Limited, which comprised of a new 116-bedroom hotel on the Corbett Bros.-owned site at Parnell Place and Beasley Street, has been taken to ABP on appeal following a grant by CCC. The substantially revised proposal features a unique Beasley Street elevation (see image below) and is to incorporate the protected facades at 17/18 Parnell Place. The revised proposal also took heed of a reduction in height so ao impact on the protected structure at 97 South Mall (TCH HQ).
😎 And as previously noted on this thread, Werdna’s Water Street Oral Hearing dates with ABP are set for the 11th to the 13th of October in the Gresham Metropole Hotel along MacCurtain Street with a decision date rescheduled for November 24th 2005. From contact I’ve had with one party involved, though anxious, if the appeal is favourable in it’s outcome – Werdna will be enthusiastic about getting to work on the project – no date was given, but I would suppose early 2006. When asked about what the outcome would be should the Bord not offer the developers their hoped for decision, the source said it would be a matter for ‘re-evaluation’, with no clear opinion expressed. Many fingers will undoubtedly be crossed. 😮Sean Mhuileann
Just some images of Sean Mhuileann Phase 2 as it nears completion. Unfortunately, the 4th block is a little out of sight. The substantial Section 23 apartment development was developed by Joe Carey & Frank Sheahan, designed by J.E. Keating & Associates. Phase 1 was constructed by PJ Hegarty & Sons Ltd with Phase 2 built by Rohcon.
@Radioactiveman wrote:I see subway (yum!!) have moved into the basement of the building at the corner of St. Patricks Hill and MacCurtain Street. Presumably a listed building and I’m unsure whether they have planning for a change of permission from the existing public house. Let me know if I’m wrong though!!
Planning does exist, Alan O’Herlihy sought permission on a change of use last May (2005).
🙂 Cork’s first permanent ice-rink (albeit a synthetic one) has been cleared for development at the North Main Street S.C. The ice-rink received permission by OCP and will be operated by 2 local businessmen. The ice-rink will be located on the 1st floor of the S.C. at the former Tall Order Diner and will reach a size of approximately 2,000sq ft, accommodating 76 hours of operations per week and 40 skaters at any one time for sessions of 30 minutes each. Also included will be a theme diner. The scheme was designed by Patrick A. Cashman & Associates who have also worked with OCP on the design for their new HQ, recently completed, at 21 Lavitts Quay.
😎 Meanwhile David Crowe’s Oyster Developments have seen Further Information requested of their 1st Phase office scheme at Deane Street. This phase seeks to construct a new 7-storey office building designed by Sabine Wittman’s The e-Project, based in Dungarvan. The 2nd Phase, also currently in planning, will include the conversion and refurbishment of No.8 Parnell Place for office use, this will adjoin the new office building in Phase One. 4 large window openings are proposed as part of Phase 2 on the northern facade of No.8 Parnell Place, a protected structure.Ridiculous!
However Ryanair have made a positive(?) stride regarding Cork. See link below.
@shrink2cork wrote:
Can you help me with this question, What is ment by “Implications to part 5 planning”
Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 was enacted on November 1st 2000 and generally refers to the issues of a 20% provision to Social/Affordable uses. The Section has generally to do with providing a housing balance, it applies to proposals set on zoned residential or mixed-use lands – though developments of units equal to 4 or less, are generally exempt. So too may certain developments, irresepective of unit numbers on sites equal to or less than 1 acre (0.2 hectares – this was amended to 0.1 hectare as of April 2002). Exemption certificates may be attained from the Local Authority subject to negotiation – failure to attain an exemption certificate can be appealed to the Circuit Court. Generally developers must highlight how they intend to deal with Part V of the Act at the time of agreed pre-planning negotiation or in their application. Land transfers from the developer to the L.A. may in some cases be used to satisfy Part V requirements.
@A-ha wrote:
Whats the story with Fota Retail Park…. I heard all sorts about it ages ago but nothing since then. Is it even built yet, if so, who occupies it? Motor Mall and large DIY and Toy store chains linked to it. It’s also supposed to be linked to the railway line at Carrigtohill when it gets a new train station.
See the link below:
Developers: Dan Mulvihill & Joe Carey
Architects: Deady Gahan Architects🙁 Unfortunately the images of the Crow’s Nest redevelopment will have to wait for a little while yet. However, in their absence I can tell you a brief description of the development which includes 74 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments throughout a 6 to 15-storey building, 112 basement car-parking spaces over 2 levels, a new restaurant, bar and 4 commercial units all on a .266 hectare site (0.65 acres) including the premises of the Crow’s Nest and one dwelling to it’s immediate south, 1-4 Victoria Terrace and MP Crowley Machinery Storage premises (for images see initial post highlighting this development – approx. 2 pages back). The building is designed chiefly by Tom Hegarty with Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects (RORSA) and reaches a height of approx. 50m (54m including the spire). The building is finished with a predominantly grey and green colour scheme with material finishes including zinc cladding, steel, glass and stone. The tower element is relatively T-Shaped in nature with the lower end of the T facing Victoria Cross – balconies adorn the south and northern elevations. In some ways, the building actually reminds me of the Kenny Group proposal for a 14-storey hotel at South Main Street (50 Grand Parade) designed by James Leahy & Associates, meshed with Cork County Hall. I hope to have images in the future and will allow you judge for yourselves. My own opinion…well I’ll keep that to myself for the time being I think. 😉
🙂 I have been impressed with James Leahy & Associates of late, and the project led by architect James Bourke for John & Michael O’Dwyer’s plans along Hanover Street at 20 and 22, reaffirms the practice’s edgy and inspired designs of late. The 6-storey scheme is being lodged in 2 seperate applications providing a total of 23 new 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, a commercial unit and roof gardens. This colourful scheme makes extensive use of black slate cladding, timber, stainless steel etc and has an attractive feature ventilation flute at roof level – the flute is blue glass which illuminates interally at night making for a nice aesthetic feature at roof-top. Given the variation in general residential floor heights and office floor heights, the scheme at 6-storeys is somewhat lower than the 7-storey office scheme at Clarke’s Bridge which adjoings this development, designed by Coughlan de Keyser and which is currently in Further Information. A very attractive little scheme that should breathe new life into this otherwise overlooked street-scape.
*UPDATES*😮 A decision is due on Oyster Developments’ plans to construct a 7-storey office building at Deane Street tomorrow (Tuesday, 13th September 2005). The building represents the 1st of 2 phases to redevelop this premises to the rear of No.8 Parnell Place and bracing the revamp Bus Station parking bay. The 2nd phase, which will include the renovation and incorporation of No.8 Parnell Place (a P.S.) into the development, is awaiting a decision for later on this month. The project is designed by Sabine Wittman of The e-Project and images of the project may be found earlier on in this thread. The e-Project is also involved in a revision of the project proposed by John Costello & Mount Kennett Investments, which seeks to redevelop the Capitol Cineplex on Grand Parade as a new 30,000sq ft Department Store (to which Arnotts was rumoured to be attached) and 18 over-head apartments – however, the design and finishes were deemed insufficient, among other things. Significant Further Information on the project was requested by planner Michael Lynch.
😮 Denis Scannell has applied to develop 2 new 2-storey commercial and office unit blocks at Hollyhill Shopping Centre – it will comprise part of what is believed to be a redevelopment of the northside S.C. in coming months. :confused:
🙂 An application for a redevelopment of the Muskerry Service Station, a prominent 0.6acre site along the Western Road (next to UCC and a substantial redevelopment by OCP of the former Jurys Doyle Hotel lands) which sold earlier this year through CBRE Gunne from vendors Esso Ireland for a figure in excess of €8m – is believed to be not far off. The service station, which was due to close this October, is now not expected to seize operations until a later date, supposedly late December 2005. Assessments are being carried out on the site with a planning application speculated to follow in the not too distant future.Settling weeks of speculation and rumours, it is now confirmed that Paul Montgomery & Edmund Kenneally look set to operate a new 734sq m, dual level bar at Castlethorn Construction’s €300m Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin. The premises will have elevational/street frontage and similar to Scotts on Caroline Street, operate a busy food service during the day. Bannon Commercial acted as brokers on the deal with the Montgomery/Kenneally Partnership expected to pay in the region of €350,000 p.a. in rent. Unconfirmed reports suggest the name of the premises will operate as ‘Winters’. The rumours had been prompted by a source involved some time ago, but can now be officiated – the operators are involved in popular Cork venues Reardens and Scotts, as well as having development interests at Victoria Cross (Victoria Mills), Cobh, Douglas, Boreenmanna Road and a number of other projects.
@ewankennedy wrote:
And the start of next year? More cranes over Eglinton street, Paul kenny’s Revenue commisioner building (i hope), Water street (I also hope) and maybe the Clontarf street and Deane street office buildings? I get excited seeing our city develop in a good way and always think the sight of these cranes is the most visual demonstration of these changes and their impending arrival!
Have to say I’m looking forward to hearing the outcome on the above projects – of the buildings in the running for the RC tenancy, I do think the Kenny proposal is by far the most striking given it’s design and location. The Water Street Oral Hearing is awaited anxiously and I hope it works out positively, as for Clontarf and Deane Street proposals, the former is currently in Further Information, but I believe is a genuinely interesting proposal and should add interestingly to this exciting development area. Deane Street is due a decision next Tuesday, September the 13th 2005. We should also note the advent of proposals at Albert Quay and Anderson’s Quay.
@lexington wrote:
Original Scotch Hall Tower 27-storey Proposal
Revised 26-storey ProposalDeveloper: Edward Holdings (Talebury Limited)
Architects: Douglas WallaceI can’t say I’m not disappointed. 🙁
The big decision date is set for the 18th October 2005 – maybe a date worth keeping in mind.
