lexington
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I always really liked this OMS designed building for SJR – it had the right location and a design that didn’t scream ‘every other building’. I’m still not convinced that Heuston Gate offers the same standard of design – or location. But that’s just me.
🙂 As previously posted, in the LADSOCL thread, Lush will be opening a store in Cork – the location is destined for 96 Oliver Plunkett Street (former In House store). A planning application has been lodged with CCC for associated signage and store alterations with a due date expected for the 21st September 2005. The interior of this particular building is actually of some significant note (particularly the upper floors) and it’ll be interesting to how the alterations affect or do not affect the building. It may simply be a makeover.
😮 Paul Kenny’s The Treasury office development for the Revenue Commissioners at St. Patrick’s Quay is scheduled for a due date of August 8th 2005 (as posted previously). The revised plans, which were submitted on July 11th 2005, have effectively reorganised building floorspace layouts. The project once consisted of 2 linked buildings fronting 4-5 storeys at St. Patrick’s Quay and 6-7 storeys on the Lower Glanmire Road – the revised plans have altered the design little and now consist of 2 linked buildings peaking at 6-storeys each. Basement car-parking spaces (across 2 levels) have also been reduced as previously mentioned. Michael Lynch is the planner responsible and it is generally believed CCC have found favour with the design – though some questions were raised over the impact on the PS facades at St. Patrick’s Quay. A positive decision is hoped for. It is believed, that should the OPW designate the development as the successful candidate for the RC in September (assuming no appeal follows – no additional submissions were lodged by An Taisce in response to the FI lodged, however both BellScott Engineering & the McLaughlin Family lodged further objections – they must be pretty miffed), work is expected to commence almost immediately with a tight completion date set for late 2007.
😮 Carew Kelly’s design for the Aldi Stores Development at Tory Top Road (the Heiton Buckley facility across the way from Musgrave Park) is scheduled for a decision on Monday 1st August 2005. The predominantly residential development saw a new application made in June after an earlier plan was withdrawn. The new plans call for demolition of existing structures & construction of mixed used devt scheme with overall gross floor area of 5775.40m2 comprising an Aldi discount foodstore,2 retail units,medical centre,creche & 41 dwelling units.Single storey Aldi discount foodstore with gross floor area of 1,560m2, incl. upper level mezzanine floor space,all assoc. signage (to include 1 internally illuminated wallmounted sign to the proposed Aldi store & 1 free-standing internally illuminated doublesided sign at proposed entrance to car park & adjacent to Tory Top Rd) & 127 associated car spaces; 1 3-storey block fronting Tory Top Rd comprising 1 basement level retail unit;creche;medical centre at ground floor; 5 2-bed duplex apts with balconies at 1st & 2nd floor level;all assoc. signage & 12 car park spaces;18 2-bed tce hses arranged in 3 blocks;1 3-storey block of 9 1-bed at ground floor & 9 2-bed duplexes at 1st & 2nd floors incorporating roof terraces & balconies.52 residential car park spaces will be provided.I think the idea of these discount stores maximising the value on their lands by providing ancillary and alternate development uses away from their core competencies is an interesting one and it’ll be interesting to see the impact such trends have on Irish urban landscapes.
A-ha and ewankennedy – I wouldn’t read too much into the gossip. I genuinely myself haven’t heard anything but if anyone else has other info please let us know.On the 14th of July 2005, I posted information stating that Declan O’Mahony’s BrideView Developments had purchased the 6-acre lands of Jeremiah Lynch at Ballinaspig Mor near Bishopstown. These lands had FPP for 123 residential units designed by Murray O’Laoire. The site was guiding at €10m euro and was being sold through Irish & European.
I now wish to correct that post – as the land concerned was confused for a nearby site (in 2 lots of predominantly non-residentially zoned land and which was suspect to believed BrideView interest) also guiding at approximately €10m and also sold through Irish & European. The site by Jeremiah Lynch was subject to a deal with St. Patrick’s Hospital who will now seek planning for a 100,000sq ft development containing a 75-bed hospital, 44-bed hospice and a seperate 10,000sq ft convent. The developments will be between 2 and 3-storeys and contain full amenity landscaping.
The information attained by me was from that of a media source close to one of the developers in question and I posted the information without verifying it independently myself – worse, the particular source had provided inaccurate info to me previously (which I had assessed myself and decided not to post in the end) – so I should have known better anyway. The source will in future not be used for any information unless I have scrutinised first myself. Apologises, for a very genuine mistake and genuine confusion between 2 close proximity and similar sales. It won’t happen again.
Hey, you can’t win them all. But to make up for it, I will hopefully be letting you know details of a new city development due for lodgement shortly.
Also thanks to another gentleman for informing me of some more accurate details on the above subject about 2 weeks ago. Thanks!@jimg wrote:
Locals object to planned high-rise building.
A row is brewing in Clones as plans to build a round tower in the area has been discovered by locals. Local man, Cennétig Mael Sechlainn mac Lorcáin, expresses some of the concerns of the local residents: “This monstrosity is totally unsuitable for the area and will ruin the traditional low-rise character of the locality”. Speaking from a large puddle outside the door of her mud wall hovel, local woman, Bé Binn Maire NiAurchada claims that “this sort of thing might be all right somewher like Tara but it will overshadow the smoke hole in my roof which is my only source of natural light”. Others express the opinion that high-rise will attract undesirables into the area: “Look what happened to Clonmacnoise after they went high-rise. Ten years later the area was swarming with Vikings”. The abbot of Clones has offered to meet some of the local concerns by reducing the treasure and grain storage capacity of the tower. “We had originally planned for a 102 foot tower but in light of local opposition we have agreed to reduce the height of the building to 98 feet.”, he explained to the Oriel Examiner. “This will be a landmark building for the area and will be an excellent addition to our cluster of beehive huts. I think that once they see it completed the objectors will be won over”. The locals plan to appeal to the local petty king to intervene. “We are not against development in Clones. We just ask that new buildings are sympathetic to the area, for example by sticking to mud and wattle construction and have ceilings at most 5 foot high”.
Dear God that’s almost too accurate!!! 😉 😀
Keep your eye off it for one second and it gets granted! 😀
O’Flynn Construction have been granted planning by Cork County Council for the development of over 527 houses on the 63.7-acres of land to the rear of Dunkettle House (bounded to the west by the Dunkettle Estuary). Originally, the plan consisted of having over 600 houses on the land, but the €220m project was conditioned out of 100 houses by planners in their 65 or so attached conditions. The house and its immediate surrounding lands will be retained and refurbished for use as a visitor centre among other things. A horse-riding facility, sports grounds and leisure facility will also be provided.
Anyone who reads my posts regarding this sort of development will know I’m not very in favour of seeing old country estates lost over to more housing estate developments but at least some proportions of lands around the house remain preserved which I feel is very important.
😉 By the way, just an update on a report Tommy Barker had today (29th July 2005) regarding Butlers Irish Chocolates – the location of their store is believed to be at the former Buckley Bros store/cafe on Oliver Plunkett Street. Edward Moriarty and Butlers had been in discussions for sometime and Mr. Moriarty even went so far as to seek planning on facade alterations to allow for Butlers Chocolates signage (which may be specifically sought in a subsequent application I believe – up for correction on that). Unless Butlers have sought a different location since that I’m not aware of – thats the intended location. Buckley Bros store actually possesses considerable expansion room to the rear of the seating area in the cafe section. The store was the subject of discussion of the “architecture of cork city ” thread not so long ago, specifically its vitrolite facade.
d_d_dallas – what do you mean by ‘wallpaper’ exactly re: the Deane Street project? :confused: Wallpaper can be pretty or ugly? Or just un-noticed? 😀@StephenC wrote:
But lexington – havent you read the comments of Mr Dunne. This scheme will be ‘akin to the top apartments in Manhattan’ and surely that means a new Chrysler Building rising in our midst
Ooooh, jeez, yeah…well when you put it like that… :rolleyes: 😀
It would seem so – 32 by Treasury, 32 by the OPW, 32 by Mountbrook…maybe its just a nationalist thing.
But 32 at Ballsbridge? Dublin is going to like pretty mistmatched by the end of all this – where’s the structure to the skyline? Taking proposals, and not necessary their planning result – you have 16 @ Glasnevin, 40 @ Cherry Orchard, 28 @ Sandymount, 32 @ SJRQ, 32 @ Kilmainham, 26 @ Donnybrook and wasn’t there another pretty tall proposal for Tallaght? And that’s only the half of it. But then again I just keep thinking Moscow and London – I don’t want to see Dublin make the same mistakes other cities have whilst caught up in a frenzy of proposals. Frankly, the quality of design to boot has only been so-so. Perhaps the Sandymount and U2 designs, for me at least, stood out over the likes of the Reddy scheme by Treasury near Grand Canal and the Shay Cleary ‘adventure’ at Santry Cross for example.
@BEETLE wrote:
[font=Arial Black:3m0xrb7i]Hi there, any idea what the commercial unit will be used for in the Frinailla's Victoria Cross development? I have to say, I'm a bit taken aback by the overall height seeing as the last planning application for site was granted permission for 5 storeys, and with the condition of some apartments and roof terrace to be removed…any opinion on this.? Much appreciated by enquiring student with a lot to learn![/font:3m0xrb7i]
Personally, I’m not really put out by the height when considered in an empirical context. The general height of buildings under development is not far off this project – and the prospect of further development at the adjoining Top Car site to the north and speculative redevelopment of the Cork Farm Centre (HSE offices) to the south, not forgetting Frinailla’s other plans to at Dennehy’s Cross. I think this route can accommodate such buildings but I would generally feel that any development approaching the residential areas near Dennehy’s Cross must be toned down. This height of building at this location would be unsuitable. The big thing with Robert White’s plans for a student development at the site, in a former application of 100-bedroom over 17-apartments at 5-storeys was indeed overshadowing. My memory of this application is not as precise as I’d like it to be, but if I remember correctly, the project exhibited a roof garden which allowed for overlooking back onto residencies at Ashbrook and Orchard Road. As far as I know, any terraces/balconies in the subject development are generally west facing onto Victoria Cross Road. In the 2003 application 2 units at the 4th floor were removed indeed from Kevin O’Keefe’s design – I personally feel the Frinailla design is a little better and though it peaks on 7-storeys, it doesn’t do so to any excessive effect. The adjoining development prospects at Top Car and Cork Farm Centre were not speculated at the time of the 2003 application, neither was the Justin Canty site now under development by Aras Developments. In that context, the Robert White plan was very imposing and did standout. I would posit that planners will address the Frinailla plan with a strategic outlook. As for the commercial unit, I don’t know what the intended usage is for sure beyond speculation. What are your own feelings on the design?
Hi daniel7,
the news is still on-going. The continuation of this thread can be found at Look at de state of Cork, like! 2: Cork Architecture & Development. A new thread was opened up – I suppose in some ways it was inevitable either way given the size of this thread that a 2nd thread would likely have to be created. There was actually a discussion held about it on this very thread some time ago – a link is provided on the first post of the new thread back to the Look at de state of Cork, like! thread for reasons of referencing. This thread will remain so that none of the information and details it contained are lost.
Sorry about any confusion.
This thread is continued – please visit us there. Same contributors, same discussions and hopefully some improvements. There’s plenty of news on-going.Look at de state of Cork, like! 2 @ Cork: Achitecture & Development
P.S. Any votes for the new thread would be welcomed!!! 😀 Contributors were most generous with this thread and I hope it continues! It’s the input that makes it so interesting I think.
Well as I promised, here are some images of the Oyster Developments plan for Deane Street, which forms part 1 of a 2 phase initiative. The 7-storey office development is designed by Sabine Wittman of The e-Project and is ultimately expected to house up to 50,000sq ft of office space. Interestingly, David Crowe’s Oyster Developments originally planned a 16-storey office building/tower (I kid you not) for the site – however consequent of discussions with City Manager Joe Gavin, the site was deemed unsuitable. The plan had been to shift the focus away from Merchant’s Quay S.C. and the Bus Station nearby as the main source of visual contact on the eastern end of the city centre island. However, Oyster and Mount Kennett Investments may indeed be seeking to develop a high-rise structure elsewhere (and not too far away geographically) at some point in the future – supposedly. Should the project be greenlit, Lisney are expected to handle sales. The building from what I understand, will either be sold whole, or on a floor-by-floor basis.
The 1st Image views the development from Parnell Place/Anderson’s Quay.
The 2nd Image provides a perspective of the Northern Elevation, facing the Bus Station, from Clontarf Street.
The final image is kinked I’m afraid, my own fault for not properly flattening the image during the scan. But it offers a perspective nonetheless from Clontarf Street-City Quarter looking toward the development’s Eastern elevation. This will ultimately be masked by DAT Partnerships’ CentrePoint designed by Daniel Luxton of Coughlan de Keyser, whose site can been seen in the foreground.
My own personal opinion? Well, I welcome the development, but I question its design and relation to the protected structures at No.8 Parnell Place (which can be seen in the 1st image) and the former industrial chimney to the south of this project. The northern elevation is excessively bland and dominating with its red-brick/(sandstone homage?) facade facing the Bus Station. But, in the interests of fairness, I’ll seize my judgement until I see the full scheme – including Phase 2.
😀 I have been plaguing certain individuals regarding Manor Park Homes (MPH) plans for Horgan’s Quay, in conjunction with CIE. Persons involved with €500m redevelopment project I think are finally ready to flip, so to shut me up, they have been releasing some tid-bits on their plans for me to post up on this thread. I should hope, that in the time leading up to the planning application, I may be able to afford you more details – all subject. The planning date is now earmarked for September/October of this year – I’ll let you know if that changes in the meantime.
😮 I can’t remember who asked this sometime ago, but it just hit me that I never answered – it was a question regarding the due date for the Water Street appeal, well ABP’s earmarked date is September 19th 2005 for anyone interested.
:rolleyes: Also, just re: image qualities – the equipment I want to get is on the market next week so I’ll see what the story is then. It would indeed be nice to upgrade the quality.@sw101 wrote:
oh mein eyes.
Ach mein leibe! Yeah some pretty funky colours there! :p But at least it livens the text up a little. Why not! (Kind of ‘Swinging Seventies London-ish’ don’t you think? 😀 )
@A-ha wrote:
Thanks for the info. Yeah, thought buildings in excess of 100m was too good to be true for Cork. Shame the Water Street development was changed, I prefered it when the tower was in the middle, it looked more symetrical and very classy. Another botched job by the planning authorities! It looks very similar if not identical to some apartments that were built in London’s docklands last year (don’t ask me the name, I’m after forgetting).
And whats this I read in the Echo today…… Cork’s two airbridges still in consideration by the DAA, fools. Maybe their plan is to turn Cork into a little regional airport like Waterford or Sligo so we’ll be forced to use Dublin Airport to leave the country. What will the people from New York think when they arrive into Cork airport only having to find they have to sprint across the tarmac! First world country, third class facilities!I agree Water Street was more symmetrical in its original form – I also think the design was a little more fussy, but not in a strictly negative sense. Either way, the revised form isn’t all that bad either. I think it’s a good scheme, I take the CCC point about the repetitiveness of the scheme, in most cases I would agree, but I think in the individual context of this scheme, it is actually suited and hence Water Street does seem to work in a nice way. I wholly agree about creating distinctive landmark buildings, and a point has been made that any highrise must be of a strong and complimentary aesthetic nature, I endorse that – I loathe the idea of monotonous highrise blocks which supposedly given skyline distinction based on their height. I don’t buy that, if a highrise is going to be proposed, it has to earn its right to add to the skyline in terms of strong, distinctive aesthetics. I still feel the nautical looking Water Street scheme works – but we’ll see how the appeal works out.
Also, regarding height, I don’t think we should look at the height of a building as being a reason for joy, it should more be the nature of its design we should look at. Indeed I agree and support the promotion of some highrise in the docklands area – I think the city stands to earn no harm from a little skyline distinction – but as said before, the building must be judged on the quality of its design and usage first and foremost. A building could be 120m for all I care, but if it doesn’t add positively, it shouldn’t add at all.
I think with each new project, better standards need to keep being pressed. Eglinton Street and Water Street seem to have been a positive start, but it can’t stop there. Hopefully, the docklands development will support this ideology increasingly so as it unfolds.
Also, I agree the airport does need airbridges. Yes I know about Ryanair and Aer Lingus – but I don’t think that should be the issue at heart. I was literally soaked through to the skin from the run between aircraft and terminal the other day after arriving home! Shannon seems to be getting another 3 airbridges interestingly enough. From what I do know, despite the chat, Cork will be getting its 2 airbridges with an option on a 3rd and 4th, at the CAA’s expense in the future.
@A-ha wrote:
[font=Arial:2a5vzk5u]Oh my god, I've never heard of a building in Cork topping 100m. Can someone give me more info. about the other “high” rise projects of the city. I've only heard of the names but thought they were like some urban myth or something. Where are they going to be built if/when they get the go ahead (or have they already recieved the green light, I cudda been living like a hermet under a rock while all these projects came about)?? And sorry if ye gotta repeat what I missed out on.[/font:2a5vzk5u] :confused:
A-ha I think d_d_dallas was actually referring to the projects in Dublin not Cork. The high-rise projects in Cork that have been through or in planning are O’Flynn Construction’s Eglinton Street project which rises 17-storeys and is 70m – this Wilson Architecture designed project has been greenlit by CCC. Images are located in this thread and in the Look at de State of Cork, like! thread also. Images can also be found there of the Murray O’Laoire designed project for Water Street by Werdna Limited – this 17-storey tower rises 56m and is currently in appeal after CCC conditioned out the tower.
Additional high-rise plans for Cork are in the pipeline with the docklands being the focus. I will update you on those when the respective developers decide to go public with them – if they do that is. Manor Park may have something interesting at Horgan’s Quay. 😮
Other proposals that have been put before Cork have been a 59m 15-storey tower by O’Brien & O’Flynn Ltd designed by Dennehy + Dennehy Designs which had been proposed for Silversprings in Tivoli. The tower was refused by both CCC and on appeal to ABP.
Hope that clarifies any confusion. 😉
@A-ha wrote:
[font=Arial:1migufx2]When completed, will Eglington Street replace Cork County Hall as Ireland's tallest building, or is there some other building in Dublin going to steal the proud title???[/font:1migufx2] :confused:
Eglinton Street will top 70m – whereas the newly revamped Cork County Hall will edge just above its current 66m in height.
Paul Keogh’s Tall Building planned for the OPW project at Heuston Gate is 32 storeys and is expected to touch on 117m – I’m not clear on the construction dates for this project. If Eglinton Street is completed prior to the Dublin projects it should become the country’s tallest building – however it should be noted that Eglinton Street & Water Street are not the only high-rise plans for Cork and Eglinton Street is not the tallest planned (that is of course unless other proposals are to face alterations or are simply not proceeded with),
@Thomond Park wrote:
It is worth noting that Dundalk was the principal rail junction for the southern border region including places like Cavan, Monaghan and was quite an important regional centre as a result.
I have a strong affinity for Dundalk – perhaps because I spent so much time as a whipper-snapper up there. Days and nights were spent overlooking the old rail-yard/junction not far from the old Louth Hospital (another beautiful red-brick and limestone structure). It was sad watching over the years from the 3rd floor port-hole window how the rail-yard seemed to become quieter and quieter over the years. It went from major freight and passenger hub to near desolated vacancy and overgrown rail-tracks. Rail use to be such an important factor in Dundalk’s economy. I think people forget how strategic a hub the town was once. Many an exploration was spent sneaking on-board abandoned Great Northern Railway carriages and climbing in windows of the old Louth Hospital – does anyone have any images of it recently? It’s been years since I’ve been up there to see it.
What I loved about Dundalk was the grandosity of many of its homes – the extensive use of old red brick, limestone carvings, hidden laneways and long sculpted backgardens. I don’t think anywhere else in Ireland has the unique feeling Dundalk had – or once had, has it fallen into the horrible realms of feeling like ‘any other town in Ireland?’ That would be a shame – it has so much character.
It’s nice to see some positive development hit the town too however – I actually quite like the new development across the way from the Court House and the old cinema (Adelphi/Delphi?). The new shopping centre proposed also seems like a positive contribution. And I heard there were plans to demolish Dundalk’s own tallest building(!) which is actually good news, I remember even as a juvenile deliquent looking up at the hotel and gasping – especially at that horrid orange sign that adorned the southern facade. Even so, so much history and character is found on the town’s streets, esepcially in many of its old industrial sites, homes and churches. I encourage the town’s renewal but I would hope not at the expense of its unique, defining qualities.
This is in part a mix-match of extracts from the little ‘report’ I compiled called Cork: Has it’s time come? – I had hope to publish extracts from it over time – but as with anything like that, it was excessively long-winded, and unfortunately the news changes so fast its hard to keep it up-to-date. Also this section, concerning development in the city, is pretty routed in things like market forces and projections, lots of boring economic speak. I’m basically patching some of this together to tie-in with issues concerning the South Docklands, due to the increased volume of talk about it lately – especially with the announcement that the Ford site is coming up for sale and that another project is taking up shape very smartly.
“…with Manor Park, Werdna and the like making powerful strides in the north docklands – the south docklands would seem to be formulating their own equally impressive ‘masterplans’…”
“…almost hot off their City Quarter project, largely credited with kicking off the docklands rejuvenation symbolically – Howard Holdings are now preparing a masterplan for a large scale docklands vision which they intend to submit to the powers that be in Cork City Council…” [Howard Holdings have, since, actually submitted this plan. “…the plan sets the ambition bar high. Though details are not wholly clear at the time of writing, it is expected that should CCC take note of the plan, Howard intend to be heavily involved in the plans enactment giving them a powerful say in the shape and form that the southern docklands will take in the years to come,,,”
“…of course there have been consistent rumours designed over the Munster Agricultural Showgrounds and Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The GAA indeed had looked (and it can only be assumed, are still noting) a hotel and stadium refurbishment plan. However, in the shadows it would seem even bigger plans may be afoot”
“…Gerry Wycherly’s Marina Commercial Park offers a vital step in the rejuvenation of the docklands. Mr. Wycherly has involvement with Omnistone & Brooklyn Properties, who are involved in developing the highly successful Cork Airport Business Park. The Park is complex from a development perspective in many dimensions, not least the numerous tenants which occupy it and foundation issues…” “…but what could prove more interesting and perhaps earlier, is the nicely positioned 2-acre site to the west of Marina Commercial Park which sold quietly last year through Cohalan Downing & Associates for an estimated €8m…”
There is more, but this post is long enough.
Just note that this was written nearly 3-months ago and many details may need updating and alteration as new information has become available. Don’t take it too seriously, just as a bit of light reading and partial insight – I’ve tried to keep most of the info there-in based on information that has already in some part been allowed into the public domain. I will update any new or needed details when/if these projects come to fruition and alter them appropriately to comply with accuracy and any revelated transfigurations the projects may have endured in the time that has since gone. What’s important here is for you to be able to see the designs and ideas are being formulated for the area – and that these ideas will substantially alter this environment. Given their scale, strong architectural values must be stressed and met – their nature demands high quality and innovation.
St Luke wrote:Good to have you back, Lex. ]Thanks a million St Luke, and thanks for the graphs.
It’s most interesting – and will make a very valuable and interesting comparison come the next Census. With the current level of activity in the Cork market, I’m anxious to see how things will have changed over the years. Could we be in for some surprises??? 😮 Any predictions?
@d_d_dallas wrote:
Battersea Liteâ„¢
Here’s a link to a 360degree internall look-about of the power station – if anyone is interested. What I’m really hoping to find is an up-to-date image of the station as view from Horgan’s Quay, or better still the Lower Glanmire Road approach roach to the city centre. It should give a nice perspective of the power-station and its relationship to the docklands/city centre. It’ll also provide a view of one of Cork’s more interesting industrial building styles – as is quoted above, Battersea Lite :p – still ugly though!!! 😀
If anyone has any images of the above before I get them, please post them, it would be well appreciated! Thanks!
@d_d_dallas wrote:
wrt to ESB plant – I quite like it and think attempts to mask it should be resisted. It has the one downside of being an actual working power plant and therefore any expectations that the ESB will move any time soon are highly unrealistic (and against public interest).
I suppose I should have chosen my words more carefully – rather than the idea of ‘mask’ it, I should have more specifically outlined that I mean for any new developments that spring up around it, should incorporate as I said “clever architecture” to reduce the impact the new proposals may adversely attain from the power-station. Indeed d_d_dallas I can see the charm the plant sort of has – in a sort of really toned down Battersea way – and it has huge potential alternate uses in a redeveloped project which maintains the ‘hull’ – but to me, it still looks boxy. Point taken however. 🙂
@mickeydocs wrote:
This project would represent the end of an era for the Marina, away from manufacturing and onwards to bigger and better things.
This area of the city has so much undeveloped potential… riverside walk, mature treescaped, an within easy reach of the city.
Pity about the esb power plant though.
It would certainly be a vital step. CCC are currently tendering for consultants on preparation of a South Docklands Area Plan, similar to the one already published for the Northern Docklands. The successful developer for the Ford site will undoubtedly be subject to some of the guidelines CCC intend to initiate here – however, given empirical developments, I would hope they will afford imagination and flexibility with respect to this site in particular. As far as the South Docklands go, I think among the many important sites therein, Kennedy Quay (IAWS lands) and Marina Commercial Park, stand out. The ESB seem to have no intention of moving as far as can be seen – which is unfortunate from a development perspective – but clever architecture and client imagination will be able to minimise even ‘mask’ the unsightly power-station to some effect.
Also, got my first look at Oyster Developments office development plans for Deane Street – only Phase 1 of the e-Project designed proposal of 7-storeys. In my own opinion, in does absolutely nothing for me, but that’s simply my belief. The northern elevation is merely a bland red-brick wall and I don’t think the project compliments No.8 Parnell Place – but before I decide my mind, I’ll await to see the full plans in Phase 2. I should have images up soon – not the good quality ones yet I’m afraid, that issue is still a work in progress I can assure you. 😉😮 It would seem masterplans that were believed to have been assessed by the Ford Motor Co. for their 11-acre docklands site in the Marina Park area have been shelved and the land now (across the road to the north from the Munster Agricultural Showgrounds) looks set to be put on the market – this important site is expected to fetch in the region of 20m euros for the motor company and will offer any prospective developer one of the most important docklands site in Cork ever to hit the market. The development potential is huge and will require substantial investment – however educational/institutional uses have been touted. Of course this will be subject to negotiation. The site is one of the largest single land holdings in the central docklands area to come available.
