lexington
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The O’Rahilly Building (ORB) in UCC saw its 1st Phase open its doors to students in 1997 – the building, designed by A&D Wejchert, houses the departments of Applied Language and Business. A 4-storey, 26,000sq ft extension was added in 2001, a near mirror of the original, also designed by the same design team.
The building evokes a gothic air about it and makes notable use of limestone cladding, blended with the contemporary element of tinted and clear glass facades.
@mickeydocs wrote:
any word from O’flynns ahead of the decision… are they prepared for delays?
Nervously optimistic – I think that best describes the outlook. They have a good idea of how it’s going to go, after all they did conduct extensive pre-planning talks with the City Council. Nonetheless, planner Evelyn Mitchell, could go either way on this one – I’m not sure exactly how it will go down myself. OFC are preparing already to appeal (given their own assumptions of what could be expected) – but nonetheless, a certain director says they’ll remain optimistic until they have official confirmation.
This is the one project I feel could go either way, to be honest, I’m nervous myself – I just hope it gets the greenlight.
Also, Howard Holdings are expecting a decision tomorrow on their Lavitts Quay hotel development – it may go to Further Info, but Michael Lynch (the planner involved) since he’s joined Navigation House, has shown a fairly ‘no messing’ policy based on his previous assessments of other projects. So far, they seem fair, but we’ll see. Tomorrow will be a big test.I’m awaiting a call from John Sisk & Sons Ltd regarding their 6-storey, 93-bedroom hotel and conference development along the Airport Road – which was due on Saturday. No word yet though. I’ll let you know when I do.
The owners of MQ (First Acive et al) have plans for a redevelopment of Merchants Quay Shopping Centre – but I am unaware as to their stage at the moment. It is a response by the fund-owners to compete with the near-by Academy Street development which is due to see an application lodged by OCP this Summer. Whether or not MQ goes ahead with this or not, I don’t know. As much that I know, the plan will see an overhaul of the quay frontage – which will fall in line with a possible quay improvement by CCC in the coming future. This may see quayside stalls, boardwalks, cafes etc (mere assumption). An additional floor will be added for increased retail space – something M&S have indicated they would favour (possibly for their own expansion purposes). The multi-storey will, in a joint initiative with owners, Roches Stores, be revamped, extended and some of the existing structure given over for additional retail space and a communal green area. The Patrick’s Street frontage will be remodelled and incoporate the additional floor overhead. I haven’t seen any plans – this is all word of mouth – but it makes sense as MQ will have to refurbish if it is to compete against at least 3 major new city centre retail developments which are already threatening to take existing MQ tenants from the centre (e.g. Gasoline & Adams). I for one, would favour the balance and the much needed aesthetic revamp. MQ is only recently after refurbishing its interior to celebrate its 15th anniversary and Cork’s reign as Capital of Culture.
*UPDATES*
🙂 McCarthy Developments, despite working on an extensive residential development project at Jacob’s Island near Mahon Point, have decided to extend their Harty’s Quay development across the estuary, with 2 new blocks applied for containing 25 apartments each (50 in total). McCarthy Developments have put this down to the demand generated by Hartys Quay’s existing units and those currently under construction – by Ridge Developments.
So, now that Mahon Point is up and running (a few more units set to open in the coming weeks) – what of Cork’s other big retail development? That at O’Flynn Construction’s Ballincollig Town Centre, opening for October 2005, which will provide a futher 230,000sq ft of retail environment – what and more importantly, who, can we expect to see here? Well the tenant list is vigorously guarded, and I have been asked not to name a few tenants – but I can tell you that so far, the mix of tenants is looking pretty okay……Dunnes Stores will anchor 2 units, food and clothing, encompassing an area total of 60,000sq ft. Easons will house a sizeable store, with mezzanine cafe; Sasha are said to be assessing a unit also. However, all the interesting names remain under wraps. Negotiations have, however, been engaged with NoName, Cummins Sports, Bagel Bar, Dublin-chain Hickeys Pharmacy and others – however, none of the aforementioned have been confirmed. I will be able to provide a better list in the coming months.
I can tell you however, that a number of names have already signed on for the yet to be launched Academy Street development by OCP. Gasoline, with stores in Mahon Point and Merchants Quay, already have their name seeking for a place at the new development [with a view to relocating their MQ store to a larger unit at this facility]; Zara, Massi Dutti, Esprit, Tommy Hilfiger, Sisley, La Senza, TopShop/TopMan, Selfridges and many more are all on the names which will likely seek a footing at the centre. I’ll be sussing out more names – however, Gasoline and Zara have been confirmed by their respective management as ‘actively seeking’.– also, Marks & Spencers may seek discussions about a possible store at an extended Mahon Point, as part of an overall expansion plan for Ireland (M&S will take over operations of Roches Stores food divisions in Galway and Blackrock, Dublin as part of this plan).
I’d an interesting post there earlier today, but as soon as I’d complete it and went to post it properly, the website seemed to freeze and I lost the text – by that stage, I had neither the time nor energy to re-type it, but it regarded the planning decisions due on a number of significant projects around Cork.
:rolleyes: Pitwood Ltd, the Monaghan-based company, behind the proposed attractive 80,000sq ft, 5-storey over dual basement, 121-bedroom, 4-star hotel at the Corbett Bros. owned site at Beasely Street and Parnell Place – has had Further Information requested of it. A decision was due today. The hotel seeks to tastefully incorporated the protected facades at 17 & 18 Parnell Place as part of the development. The site badly needs to be redeveloped and the facades are in dire need of refurbishment as time is taking its toll on them in a bad way. The project, which incorporates a luxury underground spa and basement car-parking, is a solid one and I should sincerely hope it gets the greenlight once Further Info has been received. Previous planning applications for the site have included a planned office development and some residential units – which was to be developed by Corbett Bros.– 🙂 meanwhile, Corbett Bros. have been granted an extension onto their 60,000sq ft office development and 38 unit residential development at Copley Street – currently under advanced construction by Coffey Construction, designed by PRC Architects. The extension, designed by James Leahy & Associates, will see additional ground floor commercial space, extended basement and 8-student accommodation units over 4-floors overhead.
😮 Andrew O’Connor’s plans for the derelict warehouse at the southwest corner of the Wellington Road and York Street junction have been refused. The developer sought to develop 24 apartments/duplexes and some office facilities around a landscaped courtyard in a building between 3 to 6 storeys high, which would be spread over a basement car-park along the steeply inclined site. I believe that this site is in major need of redevelopment, but perhaps not in this incarnation. Still… Design was by MV Cullinan of Dublin.
A number of developments are due planning decisions in the coming days – among them…– John Sisk & Sons Ltd’s 101-room, 6-storey hotel and conference facility on their site, adjacent their Cork HQ, along the Airport Road.
– Ellesmere Properties (Howard Holdings) 7-storey, 125-bedroom hotel and retail development along Lavitts Quay, designed by RORSA. Although I suspect that this will have Further Information requested of it.
– Charles & Helen McCarthy’s truly horrid 7-storey, 64-bedroom hotel for Crosses Green, designed by Derek Tynan & Associates. This project is undoubtedly the single WORST project planned for Cork in many years. For all the concern about OCP’s Jurys redevelopment harming St. Fin Barre’s views, there should have been more focus on this abomination. I do not believe height is an issue, frankly, if the 7-storeys were well designed it would be no problem, but this project is nothing more than a 7-storey black wall – nothing more. No distinguishing features, curves, glass features – nothing! Approaching Crosses Green and St. Fin Barre’s east to west along Sullivans Quay and South Gate Bridge, one is greeted with a towering black blank wall sticking out like a sore thumb in a predominantly low-rise area. It looks like Victoria Mills only black and uglier. I should hope that this project is refused in its current form, although I encourage redevelopment of this area of Crosses Green. However, I would be a lot more confident of refusal, did I not have awareness of the staff graffiti along the walls of Navigation House, which crudely spray-painted letters spell “Cork City Council + Derek Tynan 4 eva!” 😉 Anyway, decision date is scheduled for the 23rd Feb 2005 – I should expect either Further Info, or perhaps refusal??? Please?
– Eglinton Street’s decision is due 25th Feb 2005 – this is the big one! And perhaps the most important for Cork and OFC in the long-run. Fingers most sincerely crossed!!!
I suppose what I meant was, when the time comes for housing, shops etc to be made available – developers in the region will surely step in. By that, they will benefit – but I fear the public and Laois will lose out in the long run.
@Radioactiveman wrote:
On another topic, any sign of those images of the new Archive Building for Blackpool Lexington?
I’ll be completely honest with you RM, I didn’t get a chance all week to meet with Des, but when I do I’ll let you know. Keep in mind, they may not have images available I can post, but I will at the very least outline the design best I can. I’m not forgetting, but don’t hold your breath – life’s a little hectic at the moment! :rolleyes:
The problem with the Laois re-zonings is that it continues a trend which should be discouraged and flies in the face of the NSS. It continues to focus growth predominantly on the Dublin region – driving up housing prices, commuting times, detracting away from leisure – and more importantly – family time, and supporting continued urban sprawl. In addition, it is placing heavier loads on an already struggling infastructure. With pubic transport developing inadequately when it rarely does, the car is the on-goingly promoted source of transport.
The apparent idea behind the NSS was to displace the level of growth in the Dublin region with a view to allowing the rest of the country take some of the load and by doing so, strengthen the country across more fronts nationally – infastructurally, economically and socially. The rezonings are, quite frankly, stupid – the only persons who stand to benefit are the few developers (and I’m all for good business), but this leads to the detriment of the public and social environment at large. Instead of encouraging growth in established urban centres outside Dublin – like Cork and Galway et al – the incompetent and greedy planners are throwing far too many eggs in one basket. But when the basket carrier trips, he is going to crush more goods than otherwise would have been lost had a few other helpers bore some of the weight. Goodbye Irish countryside.
Thanks for your words – pity about mine! Damn grammatical errors! 😀
@theblimp wrote:Lex, if the Tedcastles masterplan you’ve seen is the same as the one I’ve seen then I hope they adopt something else! From memory it looked like a Russian Social Housing project (think Victoria Mills ‘boxes’, but lots of ’em!) – besides would you really wish to leave alongside a power plant?
Yeah, there’s a reason this is zoned Commercial/Office etc. Personally I know I wouldn’t like an apartment a stone’s throw away from a big brick like power station – and the ESB have no intentions of going anywhere for a long-time yet (at least that I’m aware of). But I remember you telling me about Tedcastles before – since then I’ve seen one other plan and now this. Although I like the greenspace, the residential units have a lot to be desired. Tedcastles have gone residential because, I assume, they’re playing what they would consider a safe, profit-maximizing card – but it just doesn’t sit right. In fairness to CCC, any approach by Tedcastles, is going to really put them between a rock and a hard place because they’re so anxious to see real movement in the docklands area and this represents one of the biggest solid moves so far, beyond Werdna’s Water Street and the activity around Lapps/Albert Quays (although Careys Tool Hire and IAWS are working on their own plans – commercial). Its a fabulous site spatially, and with a nice waterfront proximity – you’d think Tedcastles could put a little bit more imagination into such a large development. There’s much more scope and potential for commercial projects at this site in my opinion. Leave residential to the North Docklands (like Water Street and Horgan’s Quay – + this development could make Horgan’s Quay’s redevelopment even more questionable.)
Here are a few images of the plan below – apologises for the quality, like I said before, I will invest in a new scanner – just as soon as I get over my fear of electronic stores (Electroshopophobia) – or alternatively, when I remember. ]1.[/B]
Bird’s Eye view of the site – with CG Images marking out the development. Note ESB Marina Point to left (west). P.S. This is a big image – hence the thumbnail. Link to full images here -> http://img219.exs.cx/img219/6122/tcmp13xg.jpg2.
West to East perspective, the rim of Pairc Ui Chaoimh can be seen in the background – office facilities can be seen in the foreground.
UCC School of PharmacyLong long ago, I promised an image of the new UCC School of Pharmacy (under advanced construction by Pierse Contracting) along College Road, designed by STW. Well, here’s a College Road perspective at long last. Notice the Bon Secours Hospital to the left (west).
[quote-Pug]Local cutting edge newspaper The Echo is today stating that the €25m announced by CIE for development of Kent station now has no definite timeline (secret code for Cork aint getting it) and further on in the article says the €25m now depends on CIE’s profits from sale of the 17 acre site of Horgans Quay?? It seems to be that there will be some action on it by the end of the year and Joe Gavin is either very much in favour of getting the thing moving or is doing wonderful PR Spin.[/QUOTE]Yeah, so I hear, but can you really say you’re surprised? This is more of it. CIE announced, when John Lynch came to town, that an application would be lodged this Summer and work would be completed by 2007. Now CIE and the Government say there’s no funding available – well, not for Cork. The idea apparently is to use profits from Horgan’s Quay to fund the redevelopment of Kent Station – which Dr. Lynch says won’t get started until 2007 at the very least, and will take 3 years minimum to complete – so I’m figuring, come 2011 we may hear something about Kent getting new platform tiles, but let’s not get too optimistic!
I wish we had a bi-election too – but it would probably amount to another Midelton Line promise – all bubble no squeak. Dept. of Transport say that funding is currently being reassessed for that project.
It’s all a load of ___________! (fill in the blank – and make sure to use your imagination).
But it’s true, you can be sure there won’t even be a single question mark over the DAA’s Terminal 2 airbridges.
Regarding Tax Breaks for the Docklands in Cork -> trust me on this one, and you can take it I have a good insight on this one – the idea is fantasmagorical if anything. Even Joe Gavin seems to have tilted against the prospects I’m afraid. If it’s going to be done in Cork, it’s going to be all private and dirt & bones. Perhaps that may stand strategically, who knows?! But unless something dramatic happens (and M.I.R.A.C.L.E.S. do happen) – Cork’s Docklands won’t be seeing tax breaks in the immediate outlook.I thought Archiseek.com was never coming back… 😉
*UPDATES*
I have so many updates I can’t even remember most of them, but I’ll try!
🙂 Kilquane Ltd (Howard Holdings) have been greenlit to erect the 12m quill-like sculpture along Lapps Quay, at the entrance to the Clarion Hotel element of their new City Quarter development.
🙂 Isle of Man-based Quality Healthcare Ltd have been granted permission for the redevelopment of the former Shankiel Hospital as a new private healthcare facility.
🙂 Tedcastles Ltd – owners of the 18-acre docklands site near Marina Point have revealed one of their masterplans for the prime docklands development area. Although the plan revealed is a majority residential – which will require rezoning from CCC – the plan includes a number of residential blocks ranging from 3 to 8 storeys in an extensive ‘woodland/park’ style setting. The project would include a number of own-housing units also, with an extensive commercial zone (office buildings will be located to the west of the site nearer to the Power Station) and educational facility (significantly reduced in this plan in response to UCC and CIT’s desire to develop an extended campus to the west of the city – but it’s early days yet). Tedcastles who have extensive property development activities in the USA – may seek to develop the site themselves. In all, an estimated 500 to 600 residenetial units may be provided. The project would have an approximate value in excess of 350m euros – if not more. But I must remind you that this plan is not scheduled for any clear application that I am aware of, and is only 1 of 3 plans already devised by the company. I will post images of this plan later.
🙂 Hungarian national carrier, Malev, has announced that it will begin scheduled flights between Cork and Budapest this coming April.
@Angry Rebel wrote:Have you any details on the airport mods they are proposing?
Various reductions and modifications including the removal of covered canpoy between the new multi-storey car-park and terminal building – but to name a few.
With response to mickeydocs and Thomond Park – I love Cork, I’m very proud of my adopted home, but it does have a high-opinion of itself sometimes. That said, I believe the city has been unfairly and inappropriately treated by the Government and its agencies at large, in terms of funding, development etc etc. The treatment and attitudes of CIE (Horgan’s Quay, Bus Station, Eglinton Street etc) has been 2nd rate and quite frankly insulting. The DAA is pulling petty purse-strings regarding Cork Airport. Our road funding is among the lowest, given the population, traffic volumes and longest road network in the country. Where’s the School of Music??? The list goes on. Further, I believe the rest of the country couldn’t give 2 tosses about all that half the time either – but do you know what, the Cork market is strong (if a little tricky at times) and we have ability. Cork is great for whingeing – even Cork 2005 made a big issue of the ‘whinge’ nature of Cork culture – but Cork is even greater when it gets up of its arse and does something about a situation itself. The recent revival of the city has been in the majority spurred by Cork based private investment (OCP, OFC, Frinailla, Howard Holdings, and the many other private investment groups) – and one must recognised input from outside the city and county. Cork must carve itself its own future – that doens’t mean letting up on broken Government promises (i.e. School of Music and Horgan’s Quay) – but it does mean a proactive approach to Cork’s own future. Why should we waste the energy dropping our jaws in horror everytime Dublin gets that new MNC HQ??? We should be out there competeing, not complaining. Now, the Gov have a responsibility to ensure a proper approach to the NSS – something it has been quite lacking – the country is becoming too centralised, and the Gov need to deliever on that. A counter-balance to Dublin is needed for the country’s sake, Dubliners incl’d. Cork offers the best opportunity (as a focus) to provide this – and in my opinion, is a wonderful location – it just needs the right tweaking. I have a lot of confidence in the city – so let’s get out there and bring the city into the light it deserves, The docklands offers such a gleaming opportunity to make Cork a highly attractive, and relatively more affordable, HQ and large business destination. In economics it’s always said that a company’s greatest asset can quite often be it’s distinction, so let’s ride with that – we don’t need to go a copycat route. If Dublin wants to follow it and it works for them, so be it. To do this, Cork needs to reform it attutudes toward large development and investment projects. It needs to display its unique flair that always seems to be just beneath the surface and never on top – so come on, let it all out. If Cork focusses, the Gov get their act together and we keep thinking on the up – Cork will truly be able to boast about itself more so in the future, without a shadow of a doubt to contradict it. I believe in Cork, I believe in it’s future – so let’s encourage investment in – to do this, we have to create the right accommodative environment.*UPDATES*
🙂 I forgot to mention, CCC will be soon proceeding with the development of 150 social housing units along their 5-acre Boreenmanna Road site. The site will comprise of a mix of houses, apartments and duplexes over a number of blocks. As housing prices continue to grow exponentially within the city, the waiting list for affordable housing in Cork now stands at 5,600 (est.). CCC are also looking at developing a further 150 affordable units in the future near Marina Point.
🙂 Howard Holdings are to lodge an application soon with Cork County Council for an exclusive housing development (in the air of its Estuary Court development) on the former convent site at Passage West – which it purchased 6 years ago. The grounds of the site will accommodate 36 detached houses, with the main convent building being retained, refurbished and extended to form 8 own-door housing units.– Howard Holdings other Cork developments at present include: 1.) the completion of City Quarter 2.) 7-storey, 125-bedroom hotel at Lavitts Quay [planning due next week] 3.) 121-bedroom hotel at Kinsale 4.) new Webworks Building at Albert Quay in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland and CCC – due for greenlight within the next few weeks. 5.) plus a number of housing developments in and around the city ~ plans are also afoot for another high-profile city centre/docklands development.
@bunch wrote:
in cork city council’s development brief for the patrick st/academy st site, it was clear that they are eager to retain the laneways – faulkners + bowling green and it is proposed that any development would use the lanes as an integral part of a scheme – it also suggests widening of faulkners to make an attractive pedestrian thoroughfare
Though this is true, it does not necessarily imply that Faulkner’s Lane for example will be retained. When MQ was proposed way back when, planners were initially steadfast in their wish to retain a number of laneways and streets which would be affected by the development. However in the end, it was agreed that in the interests of the development – exceptions would be made given the context.
Like I said, I have yet to view final drawings so I can’t give you a definite on Faulkner’s Lane at this point.
*UPDATES*:rolleyes: John Cleary Developments have been refused planning for 17 light industrial units and 11 incubator units which would have create up to 320 permanent jobs on lands adjoining the existing Northpoint Business Park at Kilnap, Blackpool. Although I still believe the development in principle – which adheres perfectly to existing zoning and planning regulations regarding use – would have been highly beneficial, I’ll have to go with the planners on this one. The development in its design was insufficient – even after Further Info requests and outlines. Hopefully JCD will come back with a more suitable but similar use development in the near future.
– meanwhile, the interesting Motor Mall development planned by JCD for Mahon Point (on former Sifco site) is due a decision date come the 31st March 2005.
🙂 Michael O’Driscoll has been granted planning for the refurbishment and extension of renovation and extension of his office building at 81 South Mall. The building will be of particular note for those interested in period architecture along South Mall. Edel O’Regan and Associates were responsible for design.
🙁 Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have applies to Cork County Council for further reductions and alterations to the Cork Airport new Terminal development (SIGH!) – first airbridges, now this.Yeah Dunnes have plans to redevelop their original store along Patrick’s Street at the cost of in and around 30m euro. The store will act as their Cork flagship and contain additional retail units besides Dunnes Stores itself – I haven’t seen any drawings or plans here yet, so I’m only going by word from a gentleman within the company. An application is expected this year, if not, early 2006 (?). The plans will hopefully include a redevelopment of these side-streets in line with the Academy Street development.
J&P closed a deal with OCP whereby they would be offered a new car-showroom site at Mahon Point (ready to commence construction) in part-exchange for their premises at Emmet Place. The Grand Circle, Taboo Bar (across Bowling Green Street) and the current The Jean Scene store on Patrick’s Street (also across BGS) – are also included in the properties possessed by OCP for the Academy Street development block. As far as my understanding goes, Faulkner’s Lane will be built over (OCP and Heron Property did something similar when they were building Merchants Quay) – though as I’ve said, I have not seen the final drawings – BGS may see arch-links over the street with street level access by escalators and stairs, as well as some ground floor/street retail units. The plus on all this is that these lanes that link Patrick’s Street with Drawbridge Street and Emmet Place will at long last be deservedly revamped. It always strikes me how such lanes in the proximity which they are to Cork’s main street are shamefully delapidated and neglected. I’ve always wished to see them perhaps serve a pedestrianised cafe and boutique zones – not dis-similar to French Church Street and Carey’s Lane nearby. Or better still, like the revamped boutique lanes off Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
A new terminus as part of an inter-connected transport facility may yet be shifted east toward Kennedy Quay, or even Marina Point – utilising a connection between Horgan’s Quay and Kennedy Quay via Water Street Bridge. The existing bus station will serve as an ancillary station and feeder between the docklands and existing city centre through a ‘green route’ which will in the long-run extend to Mahon Point.
However, you’ve all seen CIE’s track record and attitude regarding Cork (a la Bus Station. Horgan’s Quay, Eglinton Street etc). I’m glad OFC are using the An Post site, CIE pretty much stated they had no interest in the CCC plans for a new terminus at that location – we could have been waiting years to see any movement there and in the process held up the whole docklands redevelopment even further. CCC didn’t take up the challenege either.
@Pug wrote:
sorry to doubt you lex, but i thought it was the muskerry and dunmahon station(douglas) that were being sold. :confused:
Well I was out at the 2 statios today w/ another gentlemen – and unless the big for sale signs are wrong, you could be right!!! ]Re. The Academy Street/Patrick Street shopping centre proposed by O’Callaghan. Is he going to knock the St. Patrick Street facade of the block? I fear another Merchants Quay is on the way.[/QUOTE]
The design thankfully isn’t another Merchants Quay – it reflects a trend OCP have been reflecting more and more so recently, i.e. quality design (re: 21 Lavitts Quay, Jurys Redevelopment and Blackrock Road etc) – can’t give architect details yet but the design team is of an international source. Initial drawings seem fairly positive – however a number of adjustments will yet be required in my opinion. I look forward to viewing the final design. An application is due this summer. As for the St. Patrick’s Street facade, I would be utterly adamant to see Le Cheateau in particular remains unaffected by the development as it is a vital and unquestionably important historical building with essential links to Cork’s history. From what I saw, it is protected, the former Ryan’s Pharmacy building facade was also retained. Another important structure is the building adjacent the AA Insurnace centre on Emmet Place – but as best I’m aware, it is one of the few buildings in the block unowned by OCP.
You have to keep in mind that Academy Street will bring 200,000sq ft to 240,000sq ft of extra retail space to the city centre come 2007/8, Cornmarket Street will bring 170,000sq ft come 2006, possible redevelopments at the Coal Quay, St. Patrick’s Quay, Grand Parade (not incl. the 33,000sq ft at Grand Parade Plaza due 2006), Sullivans Quay and Merchants Quay will all add significant retail ability to the city centre.
If Wilton S.C. does go for the expansion, planning will take at least a year and the development will take a further 2 years – I wouldn’t expect the project to be online before 2009 – at which point, the city centre (planning pending) should be in a healthy position. But I totally agree the traffic issues in Bishopstown/Wilton are woeful as is – even the new Sarsfield Road Dual-Carriageway is finding it tough to cope and plans for further lanes along the South Ring probably won’t help much either.
🙂 For anyone who remembers my post following the sale of Wilton S.C. to Howard Holdings & Joe O’Donovan last year (for 110m euro!), you will probably recall how I mentioned the rumour that Roches Stores had consulted NMA about possibly revamping their department store at the centre – well, scratch that because I have got wind of even bigger plans a-foot, but at this point, I can’t confirm this 100% – as its still a little up in the air – but…
…a new SPV by Howard Holdings and Joe O’Donovan may be looking into redeveloping the Wilton S.C. as a whole. It follows that, the enormous sale price of the highly successful suburban retail centre is mostly accounted for the highly desirable and accessible location of the centre, plus its ample grounds (which allow for development). The rental income from the centre, though healthy, does not include that of Tesco or its new associated outlets (which Tesco remains in ownership of) and only somewhat satisfies the purchase price (and associated repayments). If Howard Holdings and JOD even spent 80m on redeveloping the centre, they could very well double, even triple their rental income with new spacious retail accommodation (which would be a very attractive opportunity for the backlog of national and international retaillers who would just lovely a decent sized bite of the S.C. consumer base). Currently, few retaillers are willing to settle for the small, cramped units available at the centre. The possible addition of a 2nd floor and extensions over the car-parks could provide up to between 150,000 to 200,000sq ft of additional retail space. Roches Stores would see its store redeveloped and vertically extended – which the company would then lease back for a ‘reasonable’ rate. Underground parking and over-ground parking facilities would also be accommodated, allowing for increased parking capacity. Sizeable units, as sought by the likes of Inditex, H&M and others may be provided on the upper floor. The facility would amount to what is perhaps, Cork’s largest shopping centre (in excess of 350,000sq ft) – but it may not even go that large. It would provide a western balance to Mahon Point – a few kilometres east along the South Ring nearby. Oh, and I don’t know that this has been looked into, or that it continues to be looked into 😉 . So, if you’re asking why 110m euros was paid for the centre – think this, location and expansion opportunities – Wilton has got grade excellent on both. One of Ireland’s oldest S.C. could become one of its biggest. It would also go well with Howard’s current expansion hunger. Furthermore, when you pay big in property, sometimes, to justify your costs, you have to go bigger again for greater returns. OCP may not rule retail supreme for long. 😎
🙂 2 highly desirable property locations have come on the market in Cork city (as mentioned they would be way back when) – CBRE Gunne are handling the sale of 2 prominent Esso Stations (as part of a property reorganisation strategy) at Muskerry Service Station (Wester Road) and Bishopstown – both operated by the same owners. Though both locations offer MASSIVE potential for redevelopment – the Muskerry Station is particularly attractive as it is within 5 mins walk of Patrick’s Street, adjacent to both UCC and the new Jurys Hotel redevelopment. The .7 acre site is sure to see some high bids but offers major residential, commercial, medical or office development potential. Probably one of the best development opportunities to come on the public market in Cork in years.@Radioactiveman wrote:
In fairness to Kathleen Lynch et al, who i’ve dealt with once or twice, the first proposal for this site scared the crap out of local residents, Frinailla brought this trouble on themselves by pushing too hard. The residents are a hell of a lot more suspicious now.
And even you have to admit, that Frinailla’s first offer at this site was diabolical.
Lexington, since you seem to know a scary amount about the planning process, do you have any info on what the new Archives building in Blackpool will look like? I’ve tried CCC for info, to no avail. Can you help? Thanks, keep up the good work.I appreciate concerns on the original proposal – I suppose my gripe is that many of these objections are lodged without reading the planning proposals (which are available for public viewing). It’s scary to see, and I have seen, people casually enter a planning office, call out a planning number and lodge an objection. Out of mere curiousity, I once approached a lady in Navigation House (who did similar to aforementioned) and asked her why she was objecting. When she explained to me, it was clear that she really only knew what had been written on the site notice. I requested the planning application and showed her through the EIS and VIS – she admitted she had been unaware of the development form but still wished to object because she though the project was too high (4-storeys) in an area averaging 4-storeys. Now granted concerns may be legitimate but I would ask persons to at the very least consult with the application before deciding to blindly object.
Frinailla have made a dramatic change to their project and pretty much done everything local residents and planners have asked of them in their new Ladyswell project. If you remember, Kathleen Lynch did state she would have favoured the original project or alternative if it were 4-storeys reduced – so here we are, 4-storeys reduced and more community provisions – and still, objections from KL. I dunno. 🙁
-> As for the new Archive Building in Blackpool, Des Berkley is the man behind the new building in Cork City Council. It is currently under construction on Great William O’Brien Street, designed by Des. As for images, the City Architect Department are looking into providing me with a few images sometime later this week. No promises as it depends on them to supply the drawings.
