lexington
Forum Replies Created
- Posts
@A-ha wrote:
I wouldn’t get your hopes up. After all, a big job like weeding out the moss takes alot of consideration, not to mention going to the city council, the planning authorities and what have you. Yeah right! I’d be quicker if I went and did it myself.
Believe it or not, they did weed the moss from the drains! Fair play! 😉 The building looks remarkable better for it too – now if we can only do something about the unsight tarmac paving fronting NorthGate Bridge (a grass divide with granite pathway and trees???) and tidy up the damp stains and poor paint along the Gate Multiplex and adjoining apartments, we’ll be set! 😮
@who_me wrote:
I really hate you when you’re being cryptic! 😀
1. Is this a previous development we’ve heard about, or something new and secretive? (or is this just a logical ‘no matter how tall the buildings are now, sooner or later a taller building is going to be built?’) Don’t keep us in suspense!?!
2. As for County Hall – admittedly the renovations look like a huge improvement, but I wouldn’t exactly be crying if it were completely obscured. If the Crow’s Nest (great name for a skyscraper?!?) goes ahead, would that spark off further similar developments in the area?
In this case I’m not specifically referring to any one project – however, there are proposals being prepared (including Horgan’s Quay) and another project is in the making, though at this stage with no finalised height (when it is known, I’ll post it up).
As for the Crow’s Nest (which I agree, is a great name for a taller building) – there is a possibility that a taller structure will also be assessed on a site to the west of County Hall.
I would be anxious to see development limit within the current boundaries around Carrigrohane – what I mean by that is, not expand beyond existing city lines, as I would ultimately like to see the Carrigrohane Straight Road renovated like something not too distant from the Phoneix Park Road in Dublin. If Mr. Richard Wood does grant CCC with the 285 acres of park land he has promised (subject to the North Ring Road routeway), I’d like to see this land, plus all the adjoining green spaces as far as the Lee Fields and Casement Park provide a natural amenity area for the city – it’s own Phoenix Park as such, it would provide a wonderful entrance into the city from the west/Ballincollig and provide some superb recreational space to the people of Cork city, it’s suburbs and environs. An upgraded Carrigrohane Road with perhaps some cobbled roadway linings, cast-iron latterns lining the length of the road from The Angler’s Rest junction to County Hall and arch-like tree covering the length of the route way to boot. Horse-riding treks, open green space, woodland tracks, waterfalls, horticultural area, treehouses etc could all be provided within the confines of this huge park.
😮 Well, a man can dream.
@yorktown wrote:
By the way, did anyone see the Examiner saying that the oral hearing for the Water Street devleopment is Oct 11-13…..
I see that, in the Metropole I believe. Should be most interesting.
Regarding Monard, perhaps I should be more specific (or less depending on how you view it) and refer to it as the ‘Monard Area’ – as the proximities are notably close and I chose Monard as the term to cover the general area of development as distinct from Blarney Village and it’s immediate environs itself. 😮
]15-Storey Crow’s Nest Redevelopment Plan at Victoria Cross[/URL]
🙂 Good to see construction work finally getting a move on the Cork School of Music site along Union Quay. John Sisk & Sons Ltd have moved in on site – with primary construction work commencing formally on September 12th 2005. The work will last 24 months (approx.) and be conducted in 2 phases, the 1st of which includes the demolition and clearance of the existing CSM building.@Radioactiveman wrote:
Does anybody else think that OCP’s retail plans for Cornmarket Street, Paul Street, Half moon street and Lavitts Quay, Academy Street, Patrick Street and Emmet Place are spreading out of control?
What about existing boundaries, laneways and city blocks? OCP seem to be buying up anything at all that they can tenuously link to Paul Street.
Just a thought, don’t bite my head off :rolleyes:I think people have a misconcpetion of this project to some extent. Essentially, the only 2 new retail elements that OCP are providing are Academy Street, which we’ve all known about for sometime, and the lower floors of Lavitts Quay – which itself forms part of a larger development anyway. OCP’s purchase of the Lavitts Quay/Half Moon Street site thus far is positive in that it now includes the vital R. Arthur premises which for so long hindered previous developments and design wholeness. With it’s inclusion, it should bring a greater sense of completion to the quayside in a wider context. The other elements included in the ‘link’ retail plan are Paul St. S.C. (to be refurbished) which exists anyway, and will offer a grocery element in Tesco – and Cornmarket Street, which is being developed by Rockfell Investments seperately. The linkage between Cornmarket Street, Paul St. and Lavitts Quay can be provided by simple walkways over the dividing laneways (Paul’s Lane and the side-street leading up toward Dalton’s Avenue) – their impacts are minimal, if at all, given the nature of these laneways. In fact, the links, if designed well could add a bit of life and character to these otherwise overlooked routes.
@mickeydocs wrote:anyone got any info on the new town(s) proposed for monard/rathpeacon/blarney?
The proposal is being jointly pitched by Fleming Construction and Coleman Brothers Developments – who, are also working together to develop the 400 units with Cork City Council, for Shanakiel. The majority of which will be for social/affordable use (supposed social/affordable). The Monard plan includes for 2,000 new homes – essentially a new town – and all it’s associated services. It just so happens, that Monard braces the new proposed €500m North Ring Road. Zoning issues are still under discussion.
@Graham Hickey wrote:
In relation to County Hall, is the original glazing being retained behind that louvered cladding?
It seems to be from your images Lexington…The original glazing was actually replaced – each panel was stripped and replaced floor-by-floor prior to the installation of the new lourves. Some of the framing was restored consequent of refurbishment grant conditions – as mentioned, the structure is protected.
@securityman wrote:Hi Lex will that be the complete line up for Ballincollig or will there be room for more shops also cos I think they will struggle after a while with that line up because Dixons are the only major draw and i expect them to locate in the city at some stage. I see that Market Square is due to open at the end of next month with Heatons, Game Stop, Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut and possibly lifestyle sports any news on that one lex. I also heard Pizza hut are opening a restaurant in phase two of blackpool retail park.
No securityman, that’s not the entire line-up yet. As for Pizza Hut locating in Blackpool Park – that, I genuinely don’t know. I hope Blackpool doesn’t become even more inundated with fast-food joints, already there are 2 McDonalds and 1 Dinos all within close proximity. Though it is nice to see the variety – concentration should be considered. Indeed there is a restaurant unit available for letting at Phase 2 of Blackpool Park, ranging from 1,700 to 2,100sq ft (approx), so it wouldn’t surprise me if Pizza Hut snap it up. It will probably be pretty successful given the location either way.
@Pug wrote:werent frinailla due a planning decision today? any news?
Frinailla were granted permisison following appeal for their Crawford Woods development in Glanmire. The project, designed by Deady Gahan Architects, will provide 81 new houses and 30 generously sized serviced sites over 32 acres. My images for this project are troublesome at the moment, so I’ll put them up as soon as it’s in order. In the meantime see Frinailla’s own website for details -> Crawford Woods
😮 It was made known to me, approx. 4 weeks ago, that OCP had purchased the former TCH lands at Lavitts Quay from Howard Holdings for an estimated €8m (€3m more than what Howard Holdings paid TCH). The No.16 Lavitts Quay site, on which Howard Holdings had attained permission for a 114 bedroom Comfort Inn hotel of 7-storeys, was sold to OCP with plans to include the site in it’s retail masterplan which would include a link between Michael O’Donoghue’s Cornmarket Street development, a refurbished Paul Street S.C., No.16 Lavitts Quay and the Academy Street retail development which OCP intend to lodge planning for in October. I had held back this info from going public at request, but as it now seems the media have gone ahead with it anyway, so be it! :p OCP will be looking to lodge plans for a new development at the start of 2006 which will include extensive retail uses on the lower floors and a mix of office and apartments on the upper floors. To many this will be a sigh of relief giving their distaste for the RORSA designed hotel that was set to go in it’s place. The new building is expected to shoulder on a similar height to next-door OCP HQ @ 21 Lavitts Quay. Most importantly, OCP have also acquired R. Arthur’s premises on the corner of Lavitts Quay and Half Moon Street, now given the future proposal a proper quay-frontage and more holistic layout. The proprietors of the Matthews Centre had appealed the Howard Holdings project, it now seems it was a waste of their time and money to do so as Howard Holdings are now focusing on 2 other substantial projects, among them a significant docklands initative which I hope to bring some details of over the coming weeks.
– and on retail projects, another city centre development is expected to make a further planning application in the near future to allow it extend its permitted retail area as part of an extended project. More details on that soon also.
🙂 OFC have now publicised a list of their expected retail tenants for their Ballincollig Town Centre S.C. – scheduled to open in just over a month’s time, Tuesday 18th October 2005.
As previously noted on this thread, Dunnes Stores will anchor the centre with 2 units being occupied – grocery and retail, New Look will occupy a further anchor unit of 10,000sq ft, Dixons, O’Briens Sandwiches, Jump Juice Bars, Easons, Carrig Donn and Hallmark will all also take tenancy and have been indicated here previously. However, in addition, expect to find
Sasha
Art & Hobby
Roxy Records
Cummins Sports
Hickey’s Pharmacy
Dr. China
Pulse Accessories
CarPhone Warehouse
and FitzPatrick’s Jewellers.More tenants for the overall development will be announced soon.
– also on BTC, I can indicate that the office campus at the development (130,000sq ft), will not contend for Revenue Commissioner tenancy as speculated.
View toward BTC Office Campus (design by Reddy O’Riordan Staehli)@A-ha wrote:
Why is the County Hall a protected structre?
According to CCC documentation:
” County Hall is a Protected Structure, designed by Patrick McSweeney it was opened in 1968. It is a unique building, representative of 20th century architecture and it is of local, regional and national importance and this is reflected in its status as a Protected Structure.”
@altuistic wrote:Forgive my arrogance but i dont even feel the need to object to this one I am so confident it wont get through planning. 15 stories blocking a protected structure and overlooking a dozen or so homes and other apartments… did the developers really discuss this with the corporation before they decided to proceed with it?? One wonders. May 9 stories on the corner overlooking Victoria X would have made a nice statement were it well designed but hardly 15!!
I think you should reserve judgement until you have seen the design and studied it’s impacts appropriately. A number of issues arise here consequent of this application – one being how the new element will affect the sight lines of the area, and how it will affect Cork County Hall.
First off, we must note the the Crow’s Nest site, including Victoria Terrace and the MP Crowley premises measures a total of 0.65acres or 0.266hectares – when viewed directly from, say, Victoria Mills, taking the archway of the student development as our centre sight-line, we can see the Crow’s Nest (CN) site is actually sided to the north of this corner area/divide between Victoria Cross and Carrigrohane Road. The parameters of the site restrict any development from wholly blocking the CCH sight line when view from this perspective straight on. At this point, we must remember that this tower element is only part of an overall development which generally reaches to 6-storeys.
The sight lines indicated on the above map should be considered – with greatest impacts, on this map at least, found at positions 2 and 4 respectively. Longer perspective views will have their own impacts.
What should also be considered, and this really is a matter for planners to ultimately decide, is whether or not the city (in this location) is willing to permit a project that will by reason of it’s height (and irrespective of its design) detract from the signature stance of CCH. Love it or loathe it, part of CCH’s appeal in any sense is its stand-alone nature – it’s an arrogant but endearing characteristic that shouldn’t make sense but we have allowed it to do so. That’s not a knock at the new proposal, but a topic worth considering. The new proposal’s relation to private residencies at Victoria Cross (to the north) and backing south toward Farranlea Road, will make it controversial. WIth CCH, it developed on a location that kind of stood out on it’s own and was surrounded by plentiful CorkCoCo owned premises to allow for a decent distance from private residencies – most residencies now found have developed in and around it, not the other way around. It is a similar feature that makes high-rise in the docklands so encouraging – but once again, I would argue, the more prominent a building is, the greater detail that must be given to its design. Not saying that shouldn’t apply to all buildings, but those that stick out should do so for all the right reasons. Eglinton Street was a positive start and should be seen as the minimum standard in high-rise design quality in Cork, I would stress. But as I said, I should hope to get images of the CN development up soon and leave it out there for debate.
Unfortunately, only 4 units in this proposal seem to cater for the larger ‘family sized’ style apartment – I would hope to see more of these units promoted over future developments; Eglinton Street provides some apartments of up to 1,900sq ft which is a positive indeed. I will look forward to seeing developer’s take more conscious steps towards greater volumes of such similar and larger sized (1,900sq ft +) quality units.
😎 O’Sheas (Builders) Limited have been granted planning for 60 of their proposed 73 units (proposal following revised plans subsequent of F.I.) along Farranlea Road by ABP following appeal. The appeal was brought to ABP by O’Sheas Limited themselves and on a third-party basis which included the Farranlea Road Residents Association and Fine Gael city councillor and former Lord Mayor, Colm Burke. The unit numbers permitted fall pretty much in line with CCC grant conditions. The O’Shea site is located on their former building stores premises to the side and rear of the Top Car facility (not their showrooms nearby at Victoria Cross). The 60 residential units, a mix of apartment and dwelling house units, will be constructed in a series of blocks over a basement car-park for 70 vehicles, with a complimentary parking area at surface level for a further 20 spaces. RKD were responsible for the design and McCutcheon Mulcahy acted as planning consultants. O’Shea (Builders) Limited will construct the project themselves.
😎 Cork County Council have permitted the development of a new hotel at Owenahinch, Little-Island. The 207-bedroom proposal is being developed by Irish & European Properties (Dublin) and will include a conference centre, swimming pool, spa and other leisure facilities, car parking, restaurant, bar and 2 retail units.While we’re on the topic, here are some up-to-date images of Cork County Hall (CCH)’s redevelopment. Design is by Shay Cleary Associates, construction is by Rohcon, engineers and facade engineers are Arup Consulting. The project is on schedule for a November completion. Click on thumbnails for larger image.
Eastern Elevation of CCH – looking west (new atrium and office building can be seen in bottom left)
Close-up of the climate sensitive exoskelton being applied on the western elevation of the building. By completion, the adjustable panels will wrap around the entire building acting as a natural source of ventilation and insulation.Note: Images are large and may take some time to load, depending on the speed of your connection.
On the subject, with consideration to the Crow’s Nest redevelopment, one most consider the proposal in an empirical perspective. The recent sale of the former Coca-Cola Bottling facility to the west of CCH will likely be considered/assessed/investigated for high-rise development as well – in terms of strategic urban planning, consider centralising our tall buildings in the 2 zoned areas of Victoria Cross and at the Docklands. :confused: Just a thought.
And who_me – Cork’s tallest development proposal has yet to be lodged. 😉@jungle wrote:
In an area not too far from Victoria Cross… What is happening at Carmelite Terrace? I noticed all the houses have boarded up windows, so I’m guessing that some developer has got his hands on the lot of them and is planning something for the site.
Carmelite Terrace is the terrace of houses between the Mardyke athletics track and the former greyhound stadium.
See link below:
Carmelite Place – Part DeuxThe design is by James Bourke with James Leahy & Associates, it peaks at 3 storeys (4 levels) to the north and lowers to 2-storeys (3 levels) to the south fronting the AIB. It is a little boxy but nonethelss a clever design – the jury is out on a firm opinion! :p
@Radioactiveman wrote:
Nobody can possibly justify the destruction of Victoria Terrace. It’s no wonder the residents in the area are so pi**ed off
I’m not sure there the term ‘nobody can possibly justify’ is perhaps steadfast, but I do agree that it’s a cute little terrace – and apparently No.1 Victoria Terrace (according to Cork ‘folklore’ ]
[/URL]
Ireland’s apparent smallest 2-storey house! No.1 Victoria Terrace.
The Crow’s Nest redevelopment site with relation to Victoria Cross (seen in background is Victoria Mills, with Phase 2 under construction, and new UCC student accommodation under development by Fleming Construction).15-storey Crow’s Nest Redevelopment Plan for Victoria Cross
Incidentally RM, the planner’s report on the OCP (Riga Limited)’s new bridge linking the Western Road to the new Jurys redevelopment praised the bridge’s architectural design – a nice nod to Henry J. Lyons & Partners.
As for the Crow’s Nest again, it will be difficult for the design to stoop to the depths of Victoria Mills and new UCC accommodation – that’s not a knock at the respective developers – but those 2 developments have done the aesthetics of the area no real justice.😮 Another high-rise plan is set to be lodged soon with CCC – this time the proposal is set for Victoria Cross.
When I previously mentioned other high-rise plans were in formulation for Cork, I had some idea of this project however, I’ll be honest I was unaware it would be going for planning so soon. Developers Barry O’Connor and Robert Kennedy will apply to demolish their Crow’s Nest premises along with Victoria Terrace (1 to 4) and the M.P. Crowley premises to the rear of the famous pub’s car-park. The development will consist of a mixed residential and commercial building generally 6-storeys but with a landmark 15-storey tower all over a dual-deck basement car-park for 112 spaces, accessed from the Carrigrohane ‘Straight’ Road. The elements of the development contain 74 apartments (6 one bedroom, 64 two bedroom and 4 three-bedroom), 4 ground floor commercial units totalling 937.8m sq, a new ground floor pub, deli area and 1st floor restaurant which is believed will continue the Crow’s Nest operation. A terrace garden will be provided for residents on the first floor level. The development is positioned in an area zoned suitable for high-rise development – however it will be a tough planning ride given the nature of surrounding residencies and the protected structure status of Cork County Hall which the new tower will pose in front of. The Crow’s Nest premises, somewhat of a local institution, was almost destroyed by fire damage last year – some restoration efforts were put in place, but halted in light of this new development prospect. Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects are to provide the design with McCutheon Mulcahy acting as Planning Consultants on the project. Images and more details soon.
View east to west of the Crow’s Nest and Victoria Terrace – with Cork County Hall in the background.@mickeydocs wrote:
not too many sites available on Washington Street at the moment.
Well the talk regarded one premises that will come with FPP. The planning process was well documented on these forums. But it’s all purely speculative at this point. A sale may solve SOME tenancy issues and provide a nice little cash injection.
@Too many forms! wrote:
A bit rich considering they sold him the bloody site…. Noel Riordan stricks again!!!
I don’t think a CCC site sale can or should automatically guarantee planning approval. In this case, Mr. Ronayne submitted a proposal only altered slightly from his previous refused attempt for planning on this site. Both proposals were designed by O’Shea Leader. There are elements of the report in which I agree with the planner, for example, 2 of the units fell below the minimum standard of size for an apartment of this layout – and I would agree that such standards should be enforced (heaven knows there are enough tissue box accommodations in place). However it may also be argued such a fault could be amended by condition followed by revised drawings submitted for approval prior to construction. The design itself is moderate – nothing outstanding – but it did bar higher than many proposals which have successfully been processed through the planning system, and in this respect, I would not agree it was a satisfactory excuse for refusal. The plot to unit ratio worked out at something like 35.5 units to 1 acre – which given the urban nature of the location and zoning for such development, I wouldn’t argue as being excessive. The reasons stated of excessive height (10m, I think, correct me if I’m wrong), massing and scale could be argued – but I would agree with the unit size issues, although I believe these could have easily been amended, even through F.I.
I agree that some of the subject planner’s deliberations confuse me at times, I suppose I personally find them difficult to call on occasion – however, I still don’t see any reason why this particular site can’t aim for something a little higher on the aesthetical chain either. Give Blackpool something to talk about. 😮
On that, Sean Mhuileann is receiving it’s finishing touches – opinions? :confused:
@mickeydocs wrote:
anything interesting?
Possibly – just info regarding a speculative site sale on Washington Street, but it is only that – ‘speculative’ – for the time being. Removed it because I don’t want it to go up without a little more ‘backup’.
who_me wrote:Incidentally Radioactiveman, lexington]Same images – just different angles. Also I think there is some variation in the montage colourations, but it’s the same building.
@A-ha wrote:
When did you last see it? Either that or it was just the bottom area of the building I saw as I was going into Virgin (which really did look grubby). Thanks for the picture, if I was looking till now, I still wouldn’t be able to find one.
The Queens Old Castle has recently been given a new fresh paint of coat and cleaned. Virgin have erected new signage – a little classier (black) than it’s bile yellow predecessor.
Also, I was delighted to see NorthGate House has finally been repainted after months of flaking and chipped paintwork. It looked dreadful across NorthGate Bridge. Now if they could only weed the moss from the drains we’d be set – and maybe the Gate & GardenView apartments could take a hinter. 😉
@Radioactiveman wrote:
The long awaiting Cork School of Music project is finally set to go ahead after a six-year delay.
A contract for the €60 million building was agreed this afternoon between the Department of Education and German building contractors, Hochtief Developments Limited.
So I hear, work is due to get on site for the end of September, but I’ll believe it when I see it and a Sisk tower crane standing tall :rolleyes: . Here’s hoping! It’s long long over-due.
Also see
Department of Education Press Release
RTE News
@ewankennedy wrote:
Isnt Water street suppose to be due its appeal decision by now??
I believe that September the 19th 2005 was the day earmarked for a decision – however it is my understanding that Werdna are still awaiting confirmation of an Oral Hearing date with the Bord. That’s the last I heard from the Dock Road, but things may have since advanced. Fingers will be tightly crossed. 😮
