lexington
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🙂 As one Bowen Construction tower crane descends over SHUL’s Tellenganna Lodge 60,000sq ft office development in Blackrock (near the south docklands), designed by Wilson Architecture – another is set to be erected, the first over OCP’s Lanacaster Quay (Jurys) redevelopment. Pieces are being compiled around the new 182-bedroom 6-storey Jurys Hotel site – readying to be lifted into the skyline soon.
😮 I can now confirm, the earlier speculation, that the Muskerry Service Station (Esso) along the Western Road, and just across the river from the Jurys redevelopment was indeed sold for a price tag in excess of €8m. The .6 acre site will continue operating as a service station until December 2005 (originally it was scheduled to close and be dismantled in October) – an application is currently being designed on the site.
🙂 Niall Doris has re-applied to CCC with the €50m Nat Ross redevelopment plan including 104 residential units in 5 linked blocks ranging between 4 and 10-storeys, with business centre of over 3500sq m, creche and basement car-parking. A decision is now due for October 13th 2005. SDA O’Flynn are the architects.:confused: John Sisk & Sons Ltd, who had been in planning for a 6-storey, 93-bedroom hotel on their lands along the Kinsale/Airport Road at Ballycurreen have withdrawn their application. A decision had been scheduled for August 18th 2005, but was instead withdrawn from the planning process after months with Cork County Council. Operator AbsoluteHotel.com had been gearing up to operate the business focused hotel within close proximity to both the city centre and Cork Airport. It remains to be seen whether a fresh application will be sought – though no word seems to be of it, at least yet.
See Post #298 for further details of the project.
@Graham Hickey wrote:
It’s not this building I presume given your description, but I think I know the one you mean – very fine.
That’s St. Peter’s & Paul’s, which externally and internally is quite spectacular – must get some inside shots some day. The detail is jaw-dropping. No.3 Paul Street is the building further north along that street at the ‘T-junction’ with Paul Street – quite inspiring. Thanks for the images Graham. I agree about Roches Stores – it just works well.
Devin – both the former Burtons and Grants Department Stores on Patrick’s Street are beautiful pieces. I posted something of them in the LADSOCL thread many moons ago and for a long while I had been investigating their re-usage. The upper floors are predominantly for storage in both buildings, with tacky ground floor signage (shudder!). Though the Grant Store has some usage on the upper floors, it is hardly appropriate for such a fine building. My intentions were to rearrange the internal order of the building’s floor usage to allow them open up into multi-tenant facilities whilst restoring their former glory. The Grant building would have had a complete elevation overhaul/refurbishment – much of the Patrick’s Street facade has become grotty and ill maintained – the revamp would have rectified that. Existing tenants could be maintained, but would require realteration. For example, Burger King would have maintained its location, only it would be reorganised over 2-floors (equating to the same floor space), so as to free up access and usage to other tenants. The English Market entrance would provide main access to the building with a restructured interior to accommodate a dome-like ceiling-based light access feature, looped balconies and new tenant space. Current interiors are somewhat lacking.I feel much of the same could be achieved with the Burton’s store also, but on a smaller scale. It’s a shame to see such magnificent buildings go to waste when they possess so much potential – even from the proprietor’s stance, their renewal offers a source of increased revenue in the long-run.
Burtons
GrantsNo.3 Paul Street – one of the most overlooked, and most distinctive buildings in the Cork skyline. Built I believe to compliment nearby St. Peter’s & Paul’s Church, the building is an invaluable contributor to the city’s viewscape. It’s use of Cork Limestone and red-brick blend elegantly, topped by a slated, skyline punctuating tower which peaks in a perfect V-shaped point, topped with spoked railings. I could well be wrong but I believe it peaks at just over 29m, perhaps 30m. If anyone has better info than me on that building, please share it. Would love to see some images of it up on this thread. I believe th building serves a number of functions nowadays, not least among them acting as a Cura Centre.
Just on the little add-on mentioned in my last post about Paul Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Quay project – should he be successful in attaining the enviable tenancy of the Revenue Commissioners next month (September 24th 2005 – as far as I know, feel free to correct) – as part of the deal, Mr. Kenny will also attain the Government Buildings premises on Sullivans Quay ( a 3/4 acre site). This is a highly desirable site in many respects (although some foundational issues need first to be addressed), especially for Mr. Kenny considering the proximity of his Citi-Car Park site at 50 Grand Parade across the River Lee’s South Channel. Scope exists here for a substantial development – which could ring ‘bonanza’ across the board for the Kenny Group. Mr. Kenny who previously applied for a development of apartments, offices, hotel and multi-storey car-park on the 50 Grand Parade site (among other intentions) was granted permission following appeal for his 2000 application, but subsequently withdrew 2003 plans for a student element on the premises – PRC Architects had been attached to the design. Revisions had been assessed on the site – and not so long ago either. Mr. Kenny had hinted the site would be nice for a large city centre hotel – I agree that it would – however with the Clarion, Jurys, Parnell Place, Crosses Green, new Radisson, Hilton Hotel @ MP, extended Kingsley Hotel all present/under development or to be developed – plus with hotels greenlit for the Heiton Buckley site bracing the Ballincollog By-Pass and AbsoluteHotel.com for the Airport Road, a calculated approach will need to be adopted should this route be taken. However it may indeed work very well as part of a larger mixed use project – and what are the possibilities of a link up with the Sullivans Quay premises? The Government Buildings site offers the possibility of a high-density landmark building/complex (reaching up to 9-storeys – city centre ceiling height). Retail, leisure and residential all present options here – however any development to be undertaken on this site will have MAJOR pressure on it to create a high quality design given the disdain that seems embedded toward the existing structure. Big imagination will be needed – I would stress thinking outside the normal boxes. Here exists the opportunity for a development that would bring Cork it’s own Metreon (such as that in SF) style development.
@lawyer wrote:Compliments to Lexington on his excellent ‘review’ of Blackpool Shopping Centre and Retail Park. It does leave Mahon Point way behind.
To my mind, one of the greatest features of the area, is that the old part of Blackpool, Thomas Davis Street, Great William O’Brien Street and such, have still been able to retain their character whileall around them, things have changed beyond belief.@A-ha wrote:
Yes, very impressed by all the information on Blackpool lex. Dixons coming to Cork, I thought as much when I heard PC World was opening. I would have expected Dixons to look for a city centre location though, but opening in Ballincollig might balance things out. PC World and Currys in Mahon, Maplin and Soundstore in Blackpool, Harvey Norman at the former Woodies and now Dixons in Ballincollig. What a perfect layout!
Thank you both. 😮
In my opinion, one of the most significant and impressive developments to hit Cork has been The Shipton Group’s Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park. Since the Love-family controlled group acquired the 11-acre Polefield (which was once nothing much more than a mix of marsh and wasteland) in Blackpool – this northern suburb has been dramatically altered, and thanks may be largely attributed to The Shipton Group.
In 1997, the group’s subsidary Blackpool Developments applied to develop a 10,993sq m on a triangular site to the south of the Polefield, bordered by Dublin Street and the routeway of what was then the proposed link-road (which ultimately became the Blackpool By-Pass). Kelly Barry O’Brien Whelan (KOBW) were the architects and the project was greenlit by CCC on March 4th 1998 – it would be one of the most important strategic decisions the then Corporation would make in many years. After a brief scare of an appeal threat (which was later withdrawn), construction was rapid on the shopping centre, completing ahead of schedule. The Shipton Group were careful in choosing their tenants – they provided a healthy mix of local services/need provisions while maintaining a quality backbone. Dunnes Stores anchored the 65,000sq ft main tenant unit, with other strong names like Peter Mark, O’Briens, The Jean Scene, Golden Discs and Adams all included in the blend. The S.C. was a regenerative catalyst to a historic area that had been subjected to years of neglect and economic troubles. Aided by the newly opened By-Pass, the ‘Old Centre’ of Blackpool was freed of it’s horrific traffic congestion and allowed for more pedestrian friendly environments to be developed. It also encouraged a rejuvenation of the historic core area, much due at first to CCC, but later by lines of private developers and brought back in a stronger presence of residential tenants to newly refurbished or constructed schemes. Much was made of the ‘Living over the Shop’ style arrangements – allowing for local stores, butchers, hairdressers etc retain an active presence in the historic core – whilst allowing for bulkier service elements and traffic flows divert to the S.C. – which was now a powerful service and employment driver in the area.
The success of the shopping centre was something of a calculated coup for The Shipton Group and encouraged their progression on a new €100m scheme which took the shape of the Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park – work began in late 2003. The multiphased development has continued to strengthen the economic, social and leisure conditions of the region – and in little doubt, the entire project (including S.C.) have been encouragement for the host of other schemes that have materialised, and continue to materalise in this once jaded suburb. Joe Carey & Frank Sheahan’s large-scale apartment development, Blackpool Bowl & Leisure’s new facility, Sidney McInheney’s new plans – to name but a few ~ all this positive investment led Cork City Manager Joe Gavin to state that within 10 years, he predicts that Blackpool will be one of Cork’s most sought after addresses!
Blackpool Park has attracted strong quality tenants such as Argos, Atlantic Homecare, Maplin, Reid’s Furniture, Land of Leather, Lifestyle Sports, Costa Coffee and so on – it is widely compared, and favoured to the similar scheme at Mahon Point. Why is this? Perhaps because what The Shipton Group have done is created a new community, perhaps, a new town centre of sorts with a healthy balance and quality design – there is leisure (Reel Multiplex, new Public Park etc), well planned accessible car-parking and link routeways, residential elements (under construction), offices (more under construction) and the obvious retail – all within a tight, closely knit area so that there is a healthy interaction between all aspects of life. A recent visit to the Park confirmed this to me, the place was a hive of activity – and not simply beneath the 2 dizzying tower cranes working on Phase 2 – of consumers, diners, cinema-goers and so on. Discussions with some of the tenants have confirmed good trading.
The Shipton Group continue to contribute to the Blackpool community – recently, they donated €250,000 to Cork2005, under condition that over half would be focused on cultural uses within the Blackpool community – such as the Fado Fado exhibition currently running at the Blackpool S.C. Commercial Building.
Phase 2 of Blackpool Retail & Commercial Park – under construction, as visible from Blackpool By-Pass (city bound).Talk that The Shipton Group are bidding for the new Revenue Commissioners offices are true, however, I believe (in my personal opinion) perhaps the RC would be better located at somewhere such as Paul Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Quay plan. The Group have been successful thus far in attracting tenants for their office schemes – recently a large number of high-profile tenants, among them DL Safety and KOBW announced their intentions to relocate to the Park. I understand it is the intention of the Group to seek to fill their office space on-going irrespective of the RC designation – and with such a strong product on offer, I believe they will be better served and highly successful in this route – and deservedly so. 🙂
😎 @Pug wrote:
any more news on the decision due on the apartments for tramore road at the former Keatings Bakery?
John Keating’s plans for the former Keating’s Bakery along the Tramore Road, which were due a decision yesterday (17th August 2005) have now been pushed back to mid-December decision date. The proposals for the project include the construction of 40 apartments over a 60-space basement car-park. The scheme is designed by Colum Murphy & Company and is proposed to be arranged over 4 individual blocks.
🙁 Frinailla, who were due a decision yesterday (August 17th 2005) from ABP regarding their Ladyswell (or City Square as I believe it will be called) development along the Watercourse Road – will now have to wait a little longer for news to be made of their plans. The Bord have pushed the due date on the project back until October.
😎 Also, Niall & Sheila Doris (of the Beverly Smyth Group) will have to reapply to CCC with their application for 104 residential units and a 30,000sq ft business/technology centre at their Nat Ross premises along the Monahan Road in the South Docklands. The SDA O’Flynn design (J. Horgan & team) will arrange the development over 5 linked buildings ranging from 4 to 10 storeys (1 6-storey, 1 10-storey, 1 8-storey and 2 4-storey blocks) – over basement car-parking. Also included in the application will be plans for a creche and 5 2-storey terraced houses. The original application was proved ‘invalid’ and a new application will be lodged soon – with a rescheduled due date.
😮 Finally, Dixons are believed to be taking up residency at a 2,000sq ft store in Ballincollig Town Centre, OFC have finalised a deal on the electrical goods retailler’s first Cork store – however, sister-stores Currys & PC World will be locating to Phase 2 of Mahon Point’s Retail Park.😎 O’Brien & O’Flynn Limited have been refused planning on appeal for the development of a 35 unit apartment block near the SilverSprings Hotel, running close to a RPZ. The block was previously refused by CCC, and was designed by Dennehy + Dennehy. The units would have been spread over 6 floors, above 2 basement levels and comprised of an area over 55,000sq ft. Previously OBOF had applied for the development of a 15-storey residential tower on the same site – but this was refused last year also on appeal based on its overbearing height and the apparent visual disruption to the locale and RPZ. The tower was also designed by Dennehy + Dennehy – and occupied a small area of the designated site. In part, compensating for a loss of height, the 6-storey application increased it’s occupancy of the area to allow for adequate unit numbers to be accommodated. Unfortunately this was regarded as an overdevelopment of the site and is in part the reason for the project’s refusal by both CCC and ABP.
😮 Frinailla’s plans for Ladyswell were due a decision by ABP today – however no word has yet reached the realms, the decision (as often the practice with ABP) may yet be deferred for a few more days.🙂 John Sisk & Sons Ltd hope to be smiling come decision day (tomorrow – August 18th 2005) on their plans to construct a new 93-bedroom, 6-storey hotel on their lands along the Kinsale Road. The site is located just east of their existing Cork HQ offices and will include conferencing facilities, 112 car-parking spaces, dining area and bar. The hotel was designed by New Zealand-based firm David van Ryswyk Architects and will be operated by innovative new chain AbsoluteHotel.com with core designs on the business traveller market. The contemporary style ‘landmark’ hotel has been designed with the intention of acting as a gateway into the city – and is strategically located less than 2km from the main Cork Airport entrance, and 2km from the city centre. The hotel’s hillside location will offer it commanding views north over the city – especially from the upper floors.
Should no appeal follow within the given 4 weeks following Cork County Council’s decision – Sisk expect to get to work on the project by late September.
The images below provide a perspective of the south-western (airport facing) facade by day, and the hotel building illuminated by night. Material finishes include black tinted glass panels & limestone cladding.
A clear outcome on the decision is expected for tomorrow.
@altuistic wrote:
And i dont know if anyone else has been following the plan by Manorpark Homes to redevelop Mr Haugheys estate in Kinsealy, Dublin but the planning authority criticised the quality of the projects design. what does that mean for Horgans Qy? Will Manorpark produce muck or take heed of the councils request that any application for the site must be of agood architecture level??
Never actually saw the Abbeville proposal, but I did read extracts of the Planners Report noting such issues. MPH have been in discussions for quite sometime with CCC concerning the Horgan’s Quay project – input was afforded the company in the creation of the North Docklands Area Plan, recently published. The desired layout of the Horgan’s Quay site, as stated in the plan, has been noted by MPH’s Planning Consultants Tom Phillips & Associates and the strongly stated request regarding design quality by Joe Gavin (City Manager) and others in CCC has been explicitly expressed. A new precedent has been set in the city, with regards to design standards, I think MPH know, that if they want to see their application pass as much as possible, strong design will have to be administered. Otherwise they will face some unwanted ‘issues’ in planning – and perhaps more work (such as expensive redesigns) than is necessary. The application is important, yes – CCC know this, and I don’t think they would be eager to let it slide, but I don’t think they will be pushed on their demands either. The quayside is so prominent and so strategically important that only a high design standard will click when it comes to permission. Of course we will await the results with anticipation – and keep those fingers crossed. This is a big project for MPH too you must remember, among their flagship projects and certainly the flagship in Cork – I don’t think they’ll be interested in screwing up their own intentions as well, so a win-win situation is hoped for. Plus I hear, for afficianados of the ‘taller building’, one or two components may keep them smiling.
Manor Park Homes is jointly owned by Joe Moran and DCC, with UCC-graduate Michael O’Driscoll as the company’s CEO.
@daniel_7 wrote:
anyone know when the Douglas s/c extension is meant to start and just wondering what peoples views are on the citys border extension are and does anyone know if its going to happen any time soon?
You are referring to Douglas Village S.C., correct? Wilson Architecture were enlisted by The Love Family to design a 60m euro redevelopment of the centre – which was granted. My understanding now is that The Shipton Group are now addressing plans to create a new urban scape spanning a redeveloped Douglas Village S.C. to Douglas Court S.C. nearby. The link will form across roads and lands occupied by Cinema World, Shell Petrol Station and the Permanent TSB. Recently, the group were denied planning for an 8-storey hotel on part of these lands. New plans are in preplanning talks with Cork County Council, and Cork City Council. A new roadway will link the Douglas/South Ring slip-road in the west across to a point linking to the Rochestown Road. The routeway will cause significant traffic congestion during construction no doubt, but will be a traffic management godsend come completion. The Cinema World will be redeveloped – supposedly undergound – with the ground occupied by a series of commercial and residential units, effectively an extended and new town centre area. A part bridge link will connect the 2 shopping centres it is believed.
No indication of the city border extensions yet daniel7.
A-ha – I don’t see Eglinton Street facing a tower reduction. The project has currently been appealed by OFC on a first party basis concerning conditions on a number of technicalities, including reductions on the Eglinton Street elevation. OFC are confident in having the 2 Phase project in full swing by next year. And you can expect 2 tower cranes on site, not 1! 😉@Radioactiveman wrote:
If it’s not a right angle, it’s a wrong angle – seems a little too much for me. What does the view from Parnell Street look like?
I would have to argue that sentiment RM, and I’m sure you’ll find many of the world’s top architects such as Libeskind, Gehry and Calatrava – have in part, earned their positions in response to the decision not to follow this ideology. As Libeskind himself has said, “…there are 359 other degrees out there, why must we always follow one?…”
Following the idea that anything other than a right angle is wrong, would never have led to works like the Guggenheim, Valencia Opera House – even the Swiss Re building, all regarded as being among the best examples of contemporary architecture in the world today. Of course opinions can and do differ.
The Pitwood hotel proposal adds something interesting to a streetscape that could otherwise be yet another boring example of ‘backstreet’ architecture – keep it boring because no-one will ever see it, so no-one should care. Had the same philosophy been adhered to when the Crawford Gallery was constructing it’s extension onto Half Moon Street, Cork would have been left with perhaps another ‘so-so’ backstreet. I think the hotel’s elevation adds a little character to its surrounds.
The Parnell Street elevation has been altered so that the originally proposed mansard roof has been removed in respect of the facade’s intergrity, with a step-down in height, and mild step-back of the new structure from the facades so that they remain linked and part of the new development, without compromising their history. A reduction in height to the rear of the TCH HQ has also been afforded to reduce any excessive over-scaled elevation and damage to the important corner structure (formerly the Provincial Bank/AIB). 🙂
@A-ha wrote:When is work due to get started on Eglington Street? More importantly, when is it to be finished? I can’t wait to see it in Cork’s skyline. Hehee, I’m so excited now.
At the current moment, it would seem as though OFC are not set to begin construction on the Eglinton Street scheme until early 2006 (Feburary-ish). The Eglinton Street site may see some prepartory works commence on the site before then – but at this point in time, a number of issues make it unlikely that we will see construction on the project until then. That is of course, unless these issues fall through or readdressed elsewhere.
@d_d_dallas wrote:
Didn’t Jarvis run into some financial troubles? So much for PPP in the education sector.
German firm Hochtief acquired the Jarvis PPP division and were scheduled to sign contracts on the Cork School of Music by the end of July – but so far, I’ve heard nothing yet. Construction was then scheduled for September with John Sisk & Sons Ltd. My optimism is being consistently dented with this debacle – but I’m holding tight for an August contract finalisation.
RM – Cork County Hall’s redevelopment is on schedule for a November 2005 completion.
@d_d_dallas wrote:
Maybe so – but Bishop L Park is known as as the Peace Park …for reasons best left untouched…
:p Yeah, the less said the better…the spirit of the sixties still seems prevailent in many of the facility’s patrons! 😀 Hmmmm.
Apologises RM – those misunderstandings can be irritating I know – but I’ll take your word for it.
anto – that is indeed an interesting fact. The park is an important element of the city centre – it breaks up the cluster of city centre structures and provides an petite but important escape from the concrete and car-fumes. The CoI are to be thanked for facilitating this.
*UPDATES*
🙂 McCarthy Developments are currently in preplanning discussions with CCC regarding a further, significant city centre-ish development. The plans, at this early stage, seem pretty impressive – I hope to bring you more details shortly.
🙁 Riga Limited (OCP) – who in accordance with their ABP grant to redevelop Jurys Doyle Cork Hotel and its lands along Lancaster Quay, recently (as posted) resubmitted plans for a new pedestrian and vehicular bridge at the Western Road, connecting to the development site. The application also included plans for revised finishings to the hotel element’s elevations etc. However, and one could probably have predicted this, Bridget Healy (of Cafe Paradiso and Sunday’s Well) is again objecting to the plans – along with another gentleman. Traffic is cited as a cause for objection. Personally, I think it’s a pretty inappropriate objection given that the development is now under construction – having been greenlit by ABP, and centralising the input and output of traffic movements from the development through one bridge would have a dire consequence on the area. The additional access point is in part designed to aid congestion, if anything. The details on the material finishes seem fine. But there you have it I suppose. Personally, and this is said with all respect – I think Ms. Healy would be better focused on getting CCC to amend the disastrous rearrangement of traffic lanes on the quay – I know she has been vocal on it – but the workings of the new routes seem to have disbenefit the streets more than anything…but then again, maybe there is some far seen logic to it all. :confused:
@Tucholsky wrote:Affordable Housing
Does anyone have any information regarding the way that Part V of the Planning and Development Act is being enforced by CCC. According to the Dept of Enviroment statistics they have only acquired 6 housing units and no land under it during the last 4 years even though they state that this is their preference. Instead in all other cases they are taking money and the amounts seem very small. What is the reason for this policy given that there are 750 on the affordable housing waiting list and the Dublin authorities are doing the opposite i.e they are requiring developers to hand over housing. Are they trading affordable housing for favours in other areas or is there some other explanation?CCC have been active in a number of Section V provisions. A number of developments, including those by O’Brien & O’Flynn, and excess-provision schemes by Coleman Brothers/Fleming Construction, McInerney and Barry Supple/Paul Montgomery are currently catering for Affordable/Social needs – combined, the units should make available in excess of 350 high-quality units for these such requirements. I’m not familiar with the DoE figures, perhaps you could post them or offer a link to the details. The total social/affordable list held by CCC is actually in excess of 4,000. It is expected the forthcoming application by Manor Park Homes for Horgan’s Quay which proposes over 1,000 new homes, will also be subject to the 20% Section V requirement.
d_d_dallas – agreed, Frank Ennis & Associates have taken what could have been another blocky, so-so scheme and jazzed it up a great deal by adding simple touches. I think it represents the sign of a good architect/developer relationship where a degree of pride in both their work activities was displayed and accommodation was made to facilitate improvements and enhancements in their project.😀 Pitwood Limited have been granted permission for a new hotel development at Beasley Street and Parnell Place, subject to 18 conditions. The original plan called for the development of a 5-storey, 121 bedroom hotel over spa and double-deck basement car-park – however, a number of concerns were raised by the Planning Dept.in response to the application. Among them issues of height, relation to the former Provincial Bank (now TCH HQ), traffic management, ground floor usage at Parnell Place and design quality. Concerns were also issued on how the protected structures of No.17 & 18 Parnell Place (facades) were to be incoporated into the new development. A substantial redesign was requested through Significant Further Information – which, when received was considered adequate. The revised plans, submitted in July, will now host 116 bedrooms over 4 and 5 floors. The resulting design will given Cork something of a limestone “Guggenheim Museum” inspired (???) elevation at Beasley Street and South Mall, which is, I must say both unusual and impressive.
The 0.18 hectare site is owned by Corbett Bros., Pitwood Limited’s backers are involved with other hotel ventures in Ireland – including Setanta House Hotel and Carton House in Kildare – and are based in Monaghan.
James Leahy & Associates were involved in the project with Niall Fitzsimons Ltd acting as Consulting Engineers.
The image below offers a perspective looking down Beasley Street from South Mall – this western elevation forms the rear of the hotel with access to the basement car-park. The eastern/Parnell Place elevation is formed by the No.17 & 18 protected facades. This elevation is a unique and unusual mix of angles and shapes cladding with varying sizes and colourations of limestone.
With the excavations on the project well underway, the Frank Ennis & Associates designed scheme is set to hit primary construction in September 2005. The 6-storey redevelopment project will include 65 apartments, 66 basement car-parking spaces and a new 170,000sq ft retail mall of 9 large units. Rockfell Investments (Michael O’Donoghue) had been in discussions with OCP to link up their project with a refurbished Paul Street S.C., Academy Street and others – a subsequent application will be lodged at some future date to achieve this.
Below are long-awaited images of the development, the 1st looks south down along Cornmarket Street from Kyle Street (I hope they are something of an improvement on the former images I had posted), the 2nd is a drawing of the Cornmarket Street elevation.
Note the extensive copper canopy added subsequent of Significant Further Info/Revised Plans – the curvelinear canopy is intended to break any blocky elevational dimensions allowing for a smoother form to the overall structure. The new project incorporates/retains a number of existing structures and facades – most notably the Musgrave Building’s striking red-brick Cornmarket Street elevation. Further back the building is divided into sections allowing for open-spaces, like landscpaed courtyards for residents. I think the copper canopy immeasurably adds to the overall form of the new building and allows for a smoother fitting into the current street scape – as oppose to what could alternatively been another blocky 6-storey structure. The canopy also gives the building a little more distinction as a stand-alone project.
– worth noting, as a comparitive, the 2nd image includes an outline of the original 1999 proposal by Michael O’Donoghue, for a 400-bedroom 9-storey hotel. The scheme was also designed by Niall Coffey of Frank Ennis & Associates, and though granted by CCC, was refused on appeal. The scheme would have also included a substantial commercial and conferencing element. It’s roof-top design seemed to hark at the famous Roches Stores building along Patrick’s Street.
Rockfell may also be seeking to acquire adjoining buildings in the near future to allow for an extension of the development giving them a Daunt Square frontage/footfall.
Also on Cornmarket Street, though it may be a little while off yet, hopes are high that another significant development may take shape over the coming months. An important, recently purchased location – may see the historic facades retained with a vertical extension, sympathetically designed, rising from the premises. I’ll say no more for now.Interesting…
…it seems to be taking something of a mildly different approach to the average ‘warehouse’ modern Irish shopping centre. A little more mosque-ish. Will wait to see the finished detail – a positive addition to Dundalk’s skyline???
Yeah, it’s something I have somewhat of an issue with as well. It’s sort of like Jim Mansfield starting working on his Citywest Convention Centre without formal permission, then being granted permission after all that. Only, in my opinion, this is worse in that a part of history has been lost. I knew when I heard the news a bit of controversy would be sparked by this decision – and rightly so. Not only were T&C’s actions illegal and not only has history been lost – but such moves are bad news for others who adhere to the whole planning process properly. It makes a mockery of the planning system and a mockery of those who comply with the law.
I probably wouldn’t go so far as to say a ”free for all” I don’t believe that to be true – and in all fairness to the planner, his job was to assess the application on the basis of the proposal, it’s imapcts, scale etc etc. The Local Authority as a power was vested with the responsibility to address the situation of legality, considering the occurence happened outside an application (legal issues within a lodgement are subject to the planning process/planner etc).
It’s not a particularly fair result in that respect – and I do know it has ticked off a number of citizens, developers and the like.
