lexington
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@Radioactiveman wrote:
Also, the new archive building is taking shape on Gt. William Obrien St., Still haven’t found a proper image of this 😡
Better late than never getting back to you on this one – but I genuinely have been keeping pretty busy of late. After meeting and viewing the designs for the Archives Building (which, on a point of interest, way back when, was originally proposed for a redeveloped R&H Hall along Kennedy Quay) – the City Architects office didn’t have any compatible image format to post online and the drawings were too big to scan – but the building itself is only so-so. Neither stunning nor bland – nonetheless, it will add to Great William O’Brien Street in some capacity. C.A. is getting onto imaging about e-mailling me out a compressed .jpeg for the forum – so sorry about the wait, but I can’t get it to viewing any sooner than the speed at which they can deliver the image. I haven’t been down to see the building yet myself – but I’m told it’s at a ‘progressive stage’ in its construction so it may be worth popping down that region for a look yourself. But I wasn’t forgetting RM. 😮
Unfortunately, I haven’t got the VIS of the revised Water Street scheme by Werdna Ltd, so I have here a press image giving a south-to-north perspective of the development across the Lee. The images here display pretty much the same as the drawings I attained a few months ago. The only difference however is the set-back of the development from the water-front by approx. 6 metres (north) and the tower has been shift east to alleviate over-shadowing concerns of Lower Glanmire Road residents. The layout is now a little more uneven – with blocks of 3 to 8/9 storeys now in the formation 1,2,3, Tower, 5 as oppose to the more balanced 1,2, Tower, 4, 5. The changes were made to ease LGR concerns. It’s a pity really because the symmetry was nice in the original – but there you have it, CCC making another cock-up and Cork being left with a less-superior project (though it’s still one of my favourite).
Compare this to the original (below)
There is less massing at the base of the tower, which gave the building a more even-handed quality look – and the tower was position to the west of the patented slipway. The revised tower looks ‘skinnier’ and seems to have less strength in its form. The dis-balance in layout is less pleasant also. A new riverside walkway replaces the much more pleasing boardwalk, which took greater advantage of the riverside, as proposed by the original.
@d_d_dallas wrote:
Lex, who does the PR for CCC? All this talk about Cork pulling it’s socks up and renewing etc has created a sentiment that things have changed within the planners office. Certainly at management level. But it seems that more and more NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m starting to get the impression that the Cork of 2015 will strongly resemble the Cork of 1995.
I don’t know who steers the PR for CCC. Cork has made substantial development progress – and for a while, it really did seem as though the Planners had made such progress too. Joe Gavin, when he first came, in conjunction with Ronnie McDowell (Senior Planner), seemed to help bring a breath of fresh air to the city’s development scene – but now things have seemed to slip back into the ‘old ways’ yet again. The exception to all this seems so far to be that of new planner Michael Lynch who has in his short-time made some very forward thinking and fair planning decisions – I hope he doesn’t get caught down in the new office. If CCC are going to fall back into old habits, then Cork’s bright future may be a lot harder to make shine. 🙁
😡 I received a call today outlining the Further Information request regarding Eglinton Street – as it also happens, the Irish Examiner also had an article based on similar information.
The exaggerated headline in the Irish Examiner read; “Council rejects tower!” a mild overstatement… :rolleyes:
Originally I was told that the issue was somewhat rectifiable – that was the opinion of CCC. However O’Flynn Construction (OFC) would not be in agreeance. The second Further Info request is now seeking to reduce basement car-parking from 553 spaces to about 127 (1.5:1 to .53:1) – which quite frankly is utterly ridiculous. Planner Evelyn Mitchell states the parking numbers are in contravene to the City Development Plan – that’s not entirely true. Also, a worry was expressed about teh scale of the development (not including the tower element which seems to have escaped so far the brunt of any disagreement). Michael O’Flynn is now seeking a meeting with Joe Gavin (City Manager) to rectify the situation – he is understandbly upset. OFC spent the good part of a year working with CCC Planners on the details of the project – everything was discussed from the height, scalem density and parking – all issues, after strenuous negotiation were agreed upon – and now, CCC seem to be taking a bit of a U-turn. The City Development Plan seeks to limit the number of short-term parking numbers in the city centre by use of car-parks (multi-storey and basement) with the CCA (Core Commercial Area) of which Eglinton Street is a part. However, the majority of occupancy in the development will be long-term residency parking – OFC note the importance of saleability (and thus viability) such provision allows. Furthermore, because the area around the former An Post site is heavily trafficked and the development also proposes retail and office uses – short-term parking is almost impossible in the immediate surrounding areas, plus, any such parking there available would prove a potential safety hazard given the lack of pedestrian provision and intensity of traffic flows in the area. By incorporating the parking facility within the development, OFC are providing a ‘safety island’ in which shoppers, gym go-ers and office employees can safely avail of the facilities. Parking provision is further being made for employees of nearby No.5 and No.6 Lapps Quay which has no existing parking allowance, unlike nearby City Quarter. Eglinton Street is falling in-line with CCC Development Policy in make a quantity of such provision available to service the nearby developments. Also, the retail facilities included in the Eglinton Street development are being earmarked for heavy bulky retail goods – at CCCs request, which is anxious to see such retailling moved from the city centre (and heavy goods vehicles by extension) to areas such as Eglinton Street which does not penetrate the city centre retail area and facilitates traffic well. The parking is essential for consumer welfare in loading and offloading such bulky goods (e.g. furniture) – as well as allowing for proper servicing of such facilities. CCC don’t seem to be understanding the issues here clearly – and are completely ignoring the passing-trade element of the project in retail and offices which is specified as the required ground-floor use in new developments within the CCA – that’s stated by CCC in their Development Plan 2004 itself! By disbanding such facilities to compensate for reduced parking and development scale, OFC would then in fact be conflicting with Development Plan guidelines. Can anyone see the problem here??? It’s absurd planning on behalf of CCC – they are holding back a decent project which will dramatically help further the aesthetics, economy and development of Cork into a modern, confident city.
I really hope OFC are vindicated on this one (they’ve been treated poorly and carelessly since the get-go on this one) – but then again, they’re meeting with Joe Gavin – the man who decided half-way through he’d rather an office development on the site. Not good enough CCC.
I really don’t think planners are aware of the brilliant opportunity their messing about with here. This may be a first-party ABP job here – that is if OFC don’t withdraw the application fearing a negative outcome and/or list of conditions. I hope City Manager talks resolve this a.s.a.p.
IF and hopefully WHEN the project does get the go-ahead, the development will be constructed in 2 phases (after initial phase basement preparations) with 2 very tall tower cranes erected on site – the tower and western elevation will be completed first, and soon after, the southern and eastern phases will be later complete. The more I assess this project, the more impressed I am with it.
And furthermore, CCC are now up in arms about the lack of a Skateboard Park being provided for Cork’s many young skaterboarding fanatics. In fairness to Joe Gavin, he did his best on this one – a park was earmarked for Kennedy Park but subsequently shot-down by an almost 2 to 1 vote by city councillors against such a project. Now, the very same people are fuming and complaining that there is no park in place!!! The ineptitude of Cork City Council grows ever frustrating! 😡The revised proposal isn’t far removed from the original – I’ve only seen drawings (2 months old), I am awaiting a copy of the EIS (with attached VIS) for later this week, early next week. But if I get images sooner, I’ll post them. From my understanding, a number of aspects have since been adjusted – I was only kept updated on the statistics of the project since I first saw those drawings – so I am myself interested to see how exactly the end product now looks.
The tower element has been reduced by 2 floors (for issues of ‘balance’) but it’s height has not altered much (58m), it has more to do with a reduction in apartment numbers which have in total been cut by 96 units (satisfying density qualms by CCC), the wing elements either side are reduced in height on some elevations as a comparison to the original – and more emphasis has been placed on public space – a more detailled internal road system has also been adopted. Some general design changes have been made but I don’t want to jump the gun and try to detail the specifics based on my standing knowledge – I’ll wait for the VIS and let you see for yourself when I can.
😀 McCarthy Developments Ltd have been very active in Cork lately, with over 60 apartment additions to their Jacobs Island waterfront development, 50 new apartments in 2 blocks at their Hartys Quay development and now, today, they have announced the development of a brand-new 8-storey, 120,000sq ft office building over 221 space basement car park on the site of their recently purchased former Goldcrop premises (which they purchased for approx. 2m euros – see prev. reports) along the Centre Park Road in the centre of the southern docklands. Design is by Murray O’Laoire. (I’ve received word from inside the OPW that McCarthy Developments have been having ‘active’ discussions regarding the provision of a possible new premises for the Revenue Commissioners – hmmm, but they are only 1 in a number of other serious contenders). The new development will be located beside the development company’s HQ in Centre Park House. The large development comes only a day after Werdna Ltd submitted a new application for their Water Street development on the Northern Docklands. CCC must have been foaming at the mouth with the news of these 2 developments adding a huge boost to the regeneration of the docklands – and I’m told, that’s not the only big news we can expect to hear regarding the docklands – more good news is on the way.
😀 As promised, here are the details of the revised Water Street development proposed by Werdna Ltd, as previously reported, the scheme has been reduced in some areas to rectify CCC density concerns.The new Murray O’Laoire designed project will include the following:
The construction of a new residential & comm devt comprising of 33042m2 of devt incl the provision of 304 apts in bldg ranging from 3-17 storeys in height;the provision of ground floor comm/retail space of 380m2;reuse & incorporation of an existing office bldg of 242m2(former Port of Cork Offices) into the proposed devt;provision of a creche;conversion of the former Port of Cork workshop adjoining Lower Glanmire Rd to a Business Centre;provision of gate lodge adj to Water St;devt of a quayside amenity area;refurbishment of existing patent slip & its incorporation into proposed landscaped plaza;provision of landscaped gardens & assoc. landscaping of public areas;provision of internal rds & footpaths;ancillary site devt works;formation of replacement vehicular access off Water St; waste management provisions; basement car parking of 12,117m2 in 2 separate basement car parks providing a total of 404 car parking spaces;provision of 17 surface car parking spaces.
It’s a great week so far for the Cork city docklands – let’s keep those fingers crossed! 🙂
@DublinLimerick wrote:
I would love to see a section of every major shopping centre to have an integral section devoted to a farmers market
thus maintaining a real social link between the urban and the rural. And of course providing us with real food!Mahon Point in Cork will be dedicating designated days in the near future to ‘old style’ markets along its sizeable malls. Independent, local and countryside businesses or even individual persons with a product to offer will be invited to particpate – everything from knitwear to homemade cheeses and homemade tarts is apparently to be made available.
@FrankTaylor wrote:
There’s a Dundrum retailer on Joe Duffy at the moment discussing how the same company that built the new shopping centre also owns the old shopping centre and has bought up ‘half the property’ in the village. This retailer claims that all the independent (non-chainstore) shops have been barred from renting property in the town and are all to be evicted form the old shopping centre in the coming month.
It’s incredible the amount of PR being generated about a new mall.
That’s Crossridge Investments, owned by Castlethorn Construction – managed by Joe O’Reilly. Its true about the old shopping centre being in their ownership, it will be subject to a Phase 2 extension of the existing Town Centre with additional retail units, some residential, park facility, hotel – among others.
😀 Yes indeed!!! Werdna Ltd today submitted a fresh new application for their highly anticipated Water Street development! After months of revisions by Murray O’Laoire, who withdrew the original planning application last year – due to disagreement with CCC about density issues, the McMahon Building Supplies Group development wing have re-applied with a new application which this time they hope will do the trick! Excellent news. You heard it here before anywhere else!
May I usher a quiet – woohoo! 😀
Planning is due the 24/04/2005.
If CCC cock this one up – I’ll be down to Navigation House with a pitch-fork! 😉
As far as I am aware, the Further Info (2nd such Further Info) regarding Eglinton Street is just an issue of Clarification which Wilson Architecture are currently looking into and it shouldn’t hold back the application too much longer. But in line with sentiments already expressed, CCC have a genuinely terrible attitude toward investment in their city – it really is dominated by an ‘old boys’ network and politics. Now as I’ve said a million times, not ALL development is A+ grade, but CCC don’t seem to recognise such a grade when it comes their way. Granted, I would rather see Eglinton Street delayed another month and get full permission than see it refused – but the fact is, O’Flynn Construction (OFC) spent an EXTENSIVE amount of time in prelanning discussions with CCC Planners about the Eglinton Street site – they consider many options and at one point consulted with CIE about provide an integrated transport hub in line with City Development Plans. CIE rejected the approach. So OFC decided to go ahead and concentrate on developing the site as best they saw it – CCC knew well in advance of the application that the development was to be high-rise and even agreed to a height in principle (which was actually even higher than the 70m current proposal). CCC have really messed OFC about on this application – from requesting Further Info before submission closing dates, to accepting objections beyond closing dates, to Joe Gavin turning around half-way through the planning process and saying he has now changed his mind and would rather see a commercial development utilise the site and on and on – and now the current Further Info issue. To be honest with you – it’s not good form. CCC are itching to get the docklands moving – but when a proposal does come along they hymn and haw about it – it’s pathetic. And as mentioned above, other developers note such behaviour. Eglinton Street is a solid and high-quality development and I do believe Cork deserves such a project. Rumour has it IAWS are now revising their high-rise option for Kennedy Quay in light of CCC’s approach to OFC and Werdna (Water Street) – what will get, again, is another substandard underwhelming project because of petty and short-sighted ignorance.
I sincerely hope OFC get an unequivocal greenlight for Eglinton Street – OFC deserve it, the docklands deserves a little inspiration, the ‘old boys’ need a wake up call and most important, Cork deserves it. I’ll let you know what happens as it does happen. Fingers crossed!
Note that OCP only got the greenlight for Jurys after CCC knocked another 20 apartments off the development in addition to the 30 OCP obliged to reduce during planning. Then CCC claim that they can’t be criticised for not greenlighting major development projects – ridicuolous! The project that was proposed had 50 more apartments and a couple of more floors – what we were given was a half-assed result. The architectural standard and layout of the project was significantly reduced as a result. Grow up CCC! I also hope OCP find some juctice with ABP.
On that note… it is worth noting that today (Mon 28th Feb 2005) sees the final day of operation for the existing Jurys Cork Hotel along the Western Road. The hotel won’t be open until late Summer 2005 again in it’s new incarnation – which, unfortunately (thanks to some small-minded people) is still pending with ABP. May 17th 2005 = due date (all though the application has been given ‘PRIORITY STATUS’.
On the note of planning, it’s interesting to note that 70% of all planner Noel Riordan’s application (northside) in the past 2 months have been refused – I agree with some decisions indeed, but a figure that high should be looked at.
🙁 😮 PJ Hegarty & Sons Ltd removed their final tower crane from over Howard Holdings’ 100m euro City Quarter development along Lapps Quay. The project consisted of developing a 200-bedroom 7-storey Clarion Hotel and Leisure Centre, 265 space basement car-parking facility over 2 levels, retail and cafe units, a new pedestrianised quayside with boardwalk, pontoon and docking area, 80,000sq ft of office space (now fully let and/or sold) + the new Irish Examiner/Evening Echo HQ over 2 floors and a 12.9m quayside sculpture.🙂 JD Hotels have begun construction of their 4-storey bar and restaurant development on Grand Parade – Loftus Demolition have clear the site near Singer’s Corner and demolished 1 – 7 Tobins Lane to make way for the sizeable development to follow. Design is by Wilson Architecture. Good to see the project get a move on.
🙂 Also, after a brief lay-over, Bowen Construction have began preliminary construction work on the 5-storey Victoria Mills extension (Phase 2) on the site of the former Statoil Station at Victoria Cross. The development will provide another 31 student apartments and large retail unit at ground floor, over basement.
@Pana01 wrote:
Lex, any potential timeframe for MP extension to include M&S? Thanks for your regular inputs, very informative.
The MP extension won’t really get a move on til post-Academy Street development completion. I’m guessing 2009 – at least I’m told that. But if things are reasonably positive, there may be movement even sooner. Still it’s a little bit out in the distance yet.
*UPDATES*🙂 As predicted, another Choice Hotel – this time in the shape of a Comfort Inn is set to provide tenancy to Howard Holdings’ proposed 7-storey Lavitts Quay hotel, with 125 bedrooms. The proposal, currently in planning and designed by RORSA, has had Significant Further Information requested of it w/ a strong emphasis on design revisions. The deal is an extension of the relationship HH have established with Choice Hotels since their agreement concerning the Clarion Hotel at Howard Holdings’ City Quarter development on Lapps Quay.
😮 If you remember a while back I posted information on a proposed 100m euro city centre private medical facility – well, it seems now that a more accurately revised cost is just in excess of 45m – 50m euros – this is due to certain facility revisions, but nonethelss, the development will continue to occupy a prime city centre location near the waterfront.
🙂 McCarthy Developments Ltd have lodged another application regarding their Jacob’s Island development on the waterfront near Mahon Point. Only a week after lodging an application to raise 2 of their 4-storey apartment blocks by 2 additional storeys (an increase of 25 more units), the development company have now lodged to add a further 2-storeys to their 6-storey blocks, Block 5 & 6, bringing them to 8-storeys each. The revised buildings would be just short of the 9-storey block as part of O’Callaghan Propoerties Jurys Redevelopment and provide an extra 28-units.– McCarthy Developments also this week applied to develop 2 additional blocks at it’s nearby Harty’s Quay development, adding an extra 50 units of the large and highly successful waterfront apartments. McCD have cited their reasons as being the buoyant Cork market and high levels of demand.
🙂 Interesting to note the article in yesterday’s Evening Echo concerning the donation of 285-acres of amenity land (adjacent to the Carrigrohane Straight) to Cork City by the MD of John A. Woods – to provide a Phoneix Park-esque facility (on the condition the NRA do not route their proposed 500m euro North Ring Motorway nearby the land). It’s a fabulous opportunity for the city – the question is, when do they get it? However, as the city grows, this land will become ever more precious and Cork’s lacks sufficient public green-space for a city of its size.@what? wrote:
this building is repulsive. its a bad example from a terrible era. what is your problem Lexington.
Hey as I’ve said a million and one times – and read above – I never said I liked any of the buildings on this thread, I’m just pointing them out. And even if I did like it, no need to insult someone’s opinion. No two minds are alike. As it stands, I don’t particularly like the O’Rahilly Building. Still it’s worth noting.
As reported, the 7-storey, 125-bedroom hotel and retail development proposed for 16, 17 and 18 Lavitts Quay by Howard Holdings (Ellesmere Properties Ltd) has seen Further Information requested by the CCC planner Michael Lynch.
The details of the Further Information are, in summary, the following:
1. The VIS submitted was considered insufficient – and did not provide adequate angles of persepctive regarding the proposed development. (I whole-heartedly agree).
2. The VIS did not cater for revised design options incl. height reductions/alterations and mass issues.
3. The design of the and massing (notably the 6th floor and roof borders) are inadequate in their current form.
4. A detailled archeaological assessment regarding the site is requested.
5. A revised design via Significant Further Information is requested – as the current development proposal is inadequate in its existing form.
I would agree with the planners 100% on this one – the design is unacceptable. I should hope Howard Holdings and RORSA resubmit a more pleasingly designed project in the future – however, given the extent of the requests made of the developers, undoubtedly, it will be a few months at least until a revised scheme is submitted. Although I agree with the principle of the development, the design is exceptionally bland and downright ugly. (Though not as ugly as the Derek Tynan abomination at Crosses Green!!!)
*UPDATES*
🙂 If you remember back a few pages, I posted a report noting that Frinailla Developments had purchased the lands at Dennehy’s Cross (those of the 2-acre Dennehy’s Ford Garage facility), well, yesterday, both companies officially revealed this to be true.
Although I am aware the Irish Examiner have indicated the deal is worth in and around 30m euros, I have been told it has worked out well below this figure, with Dennehy’s moving their dealership to new lands near the Ballincollig By-pass and withing easy distance of the new 500m euro Ballincollig Town Centre development by O’Flynn Construction. A move not dis-similar to J&P’s Mahon Point shift.
As also reported, Frinailla will be planning a substantial apartment development at the Dennehy’s Cross location, with “family-sized” luxury apartments – picking up on a growing trend, as displayed by OFC’s Eglinton Street development – with 3-bedroom apartments reaching 1,900sq ft.
An application is due to be lodged Summer 2005.– and on a related note, I also reported that the .22 acre site along the Wilton Road/Victoria Cross owned by Justin Canty, which was sold by Irish & European earlier this year with F.P.P. for 24 student apartments, was also purchased by Frinailla, well, my own fault but not far wrong, the site in question is the former plumbing supplies site directly across thr road. Frinailla reportedly have purchased this .4 acre site for just under 3m euros. In line with Frinailla development preferences, this site, is earmarked for residential usage also. This marks a substantial purchased and development trend by Frinailla in the area of late.
The former Justin Canty site was purchased by Tim McNamara of Aras Developments, for 2m euro (via Global Properties), and is scheduled to be developed this April w/ completion due in and around Oct 2005. The ground floor medical units have already been sold or pre-let. Parking spaces as part of the development have been sold out at 35,000euros a-piece.I have a colour image of the latter development, but may have to post a black & white CGI as I can’t translate the colour image. Design, as previously mentioned, is by O’Shea Leader Design.
🙁 John Sisk & Sons Ltd have seen their 6-storey, 94-bedroom hotel and conference facility, earmarked for the Kinsale/Airport Road (just east of the company’s Cork HQ), have its planning due date pushed by 6 MONTHS(!) by Cork County Council until the 18th of August 2005.
😉 The highly desirable Esso Station site at Muskerry Service Station along the Western Road, between UCC and the new Jurys Redevelopment, has been issued a guide price of 1.65m for its 2 acres. The site has whopping development potential and is already receiving some MAJOR interest among Cork developers and businesses. CBRE Gunne are handling the sale.
😀 And many and most of you will be delighted to hear that FINALLY, Bus Eireann, CCC and Cork Business Association have agreed to remove the Portacabin on Patrick’s Street currently serving as the Inspector’s/Information Station for local bus routes. A new purpose-built street kiosk in-keeping with the new street-scape is to be provided as a tasteful replacement. The location along Patrick’s Street has yet to be determined.
🙂 Also, though it hasn’t been officiated yet, Ascon are to be main contractors with regard to the Kinsale Road Rounabout Flyover – construction is set to being in mid-March and will take 2 years to complete.O’Flynn Construction’s highly anticipated Eglinton Street development has seen CCC request a Clarification on Further Information and project details – requested issued yesterday, OFC say they hope to clear up the issue within a few days and expect a decision soon after. The nail biter continues. 😮
Thanks for the image of Mardyke Bridge RM! I was looking for a semi-decent one.
Rest of my updates will be posted later – w/ news on Frinailla, THAT Portacabin on Patrick Street and other details.🙂 Property-owner J. Daly has applied for the development of 16 apartments over retail area at 96 – 98 Lower Glanmire Road – adjacent to Kent Station. The proposal represents one of many recent development proposals for this area – predominantly apartment schemes. Another prominent development being that proposed by the Kilbree Investment Company, which is currently in appeal for a 4-storey, 22-unit apartment development over ground-floor car-parking.
🙁 Paul Montgomery, developer behind Victoria Mills Student Accommodation and owner of the Reardens complex on Washington Street, has sought permission to operate the large, 9-storey student development on a short-term letting basis outside the academic year and beyond holiday accommodation. If you know, I’ll say no more. 😉
🙂 Kilquane Ltd (Howard Holdings) have been greenlit for the installation of a glass lift from Lapps Quay into the basement car-park and provision of the mooring pontoon leading off the 2.5m (width) boardwalk alongside it’s new City Quarter development. The 12.6m scultpture recently permitted is due to be erected within the coming 2 and half weeks.
🙂 The Country Club Inn in Montenotte and Imperial Hotel on South Mall have also been greenlit for substantial expansion and redevelopments.
😮 I’m told the decision on the important Eglinton Street development by O’Flynn Construction may possibly be released tomorrow, 1 day ahead of schedule – this is just an internal word of mouth. However, planners may yet hang on until the set date and I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. I won’t get too expectant just yet. MAJOR FINGERS CROSSED!I’m surprised at how little attention this project has received, but the new Mardyke Pedestrian Bridge has been set in place over the w/e by Fleming Construction. The 1m euro bridge spans the northern River Lee channel between the Mardyke and the Distillery Fields (which leads out onto North Mall) at it’s eastern end. The bridge is far more dynamic looking than the much hyped Shadon Bridge further down the river, and in my opinion, rather attractive. I’ll try and get pictures up soon.
One of the biggest and most important planning decisions of the year is due this Friday, the 25th of February 2005. O’Flynn Construction’s 60m euro + Eglinton Street development of 217 generous residential units, 550 underground parking spaces over dual basement, a 17-storey 70m landmark tower, offices, retail, a new street, amenity area and landscaping. Designed by Frank O’Mahony of Wilson Architecture. The project has been through Further Information (although clarification issues may yet be requested!) and if granted this Friday, will represent a new beginning for Cork and its docklands rejuvenation. The 1.5acre former An Post site was sold to OFC for 15m euros in early 2004. Not only does the project inject another vital boost of confidence in the docklands, but Cork as a whole, leading a new standard and level of development within the city – and providing a new landmark mirroring Cork’s confidence in itself for the future. Fingers tightly crossed – if the greenlight flashes, this could well represent a new and enlightened approach of city planners. Let’s just hope.Some elements of the Boole will be refurbished as part of the 32m euro post-grade library extension – primary work due to start this June 2005.
Overshadowing, out of character and height were issues raised – although the IAA were exactly objecting, rather making an observation. If any building poses an issue for approaching aircraft, surely it would be County Hall as it is right on Runway 17-35 flightpath.
People are cribbing about its scale – and its isolated nature, but the fact is, besides all that ‘Cork needs a confident statement’ lark (and there is something to be said for that too), every tall building proposed is going to be isolated if none other is given the go ahead! You have to start somewhere. Water Street (due for a new application in the coming weeks) and Eglinton Street have got the right ideas – tall buildings focussed on the docklands where they can be accommodated, protecting the city centre (as is), and maybe helping alleviate urban sprawl pressures. Furthermore, property prices in the area have risen so dramatically in anticipation of the docklands redevelopment, for issues of commercial viability, a little height is needed as an incentive and encouragement for future docklands development. The trick is to maintain the quality of design and location. So far, Cork has got lucky with Water Street and Eglinton Street, but in order to promote this standard, we need to show encouragement – I really hope the planning decision works out well for OFC.
*UPDATES*😎 As predicted, Howard Holdings have been requested Further Info regarding their Lavitts Quay hotel and retail development.
😎 Charles & Helen’s McCarthy’s godforesaken Crosses Green hotel development has seen its due date extended by CCC until the 20th of May 2005 – just 3 days after the supposed decision date for ABP’s Jurys redevelopment by OCP. Hmmmm.
