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Check out articles on Water Street development.
And any opinions on posted pictures above?
Some interesting pics of current Cork developments incl. 21 Lavitts Quay (the O’Callaghan Properties office development), No.5 and No.6 Lapps Quay (office development by O’Flynn Construction)
More soon!
No – it was Derek Tynan. See his website http://www.dtarch.com
I’m sorry but is it just me, or doesn’t Derek Tynan seem to aim for architectural beauty too often. In Cork, The Gate and the new Victoria Hall Student Complex at Victoria Cross (developed by Paul Montgomery and Edmund Kenneally) are proofs of this.
I think there are a few interesting projects in development around Cork at the moment –
The UCC Environmental Research Institute on the Lee Road is a noteworthy example by Bucholz McEvoy Architects; although I do believe its location is unsuitable.
Patrick A. Cashman’s design on 21 Lavitts Quay is innovative and has a strong presence – hopefully the outcome will be as pretty as those striking computer generated images – such as that available on the auctioneer’s website http://www.cdacork.com under Commercial Property.
Yeah I know it’s very Spencer Dock-ish, but when you consider the location along the Cork Docklands, it would, in prespective look very well along the quays considering the other proposals for the Docklands – if they come to fruition.
Some other projects for the Docklands I’ve been lucky enough to get access to, are genuinely exciting – architecturally and otherwise. One project, when it is, if it is, formally announced by its developer is going to have people talking big time. It’s of a similar height to the Water Street project by Werdna Ltd.
MOLA have produced some nice work, like the new front elevation of the Cork Opera House – but it does seem to have the odd architectural sigh (ie. UCC Biosciences Building) and doesn’t the new Cork School of Music on Union Quay (also by MOLA) seem to resemble the Gate Multiplex on Bachelors Quay (designed by Derek “Snooze” Tynan, developed by Eymet)?
I think this, Water Street, is a good MOLA and Werdna project though, I really hope it gets through the Planning Process positively.
And on the subject of Scott Tallon & Walker, how do they keep getting work???
(Although, I do have to say, their design for the 100million euro City Quarter by Howard Holdings on Lapps Quay – is turning out to be far more aesthetically pleasing in real-life than its design drawings. Credit where credit is due. )
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1188339&issue_id=10920
That’s the link with pictures and the story on the new proposed Water Street development in Cork. Not very inspired but exciting nonetheless. And that 19-storey centre-piece building will provide a striking entrance to the city.
Don’t know if you heard the news, but a report in the Irish Examiner today by Tommy Barker, described the proposed 80 Million Euro Water Street Dockland project destined for Cork. The project is being launched today with planning permission being sought from this week on with Cork City Council. The project is being developed by Werdna Ltd owned by the Limerick based McMahon Family who own a large Building Supplies Group. Murray O’Laoire are the firm behind the design, Sean Kearns being principal architect.
The development will consist of 400 residential units between 3 blocks, the centre of which is a tower over 19-storeys high, taller than Cork County Hall. The tower is proposed to provide a landark gateway into the city along the quays. The development also consists of an IT Centre, Restaurants, Creche, Cafes, Boardwalk, Private Dock Facility and recreational area.
The designs are in the Irish Examiner today (26th May 2004). Undoubtedly there are going to be objections, it is Cork after all and Cork fears height, but if people have a bit of foresight, the project may get the go ahead, considering EIS and sustainability. It’s a nicely designed facility, but nothing we haven’t seen before. But it would be a striking addition to the Cork Docklands Development.
Just to reply to Dispora,
Office vacancies in Dublin and Nationally are at 15% – the take up rate in Cork since 2002 has bucked this trend, with take-up in developments such as No.5 Lapps Quay, 21 Lavitts Quay and Howard Holdings 100Million Euro City Quarter project selling out within only a few months after their market launch. Generally in the vacancy rate in Cork, according to the Sunday Business Post property section only 4 weeks ago, was below 8% at a citywide level and that demand for new, high-quality open plan offices in the city centre was still in demand. But also the John Mannix project consists of other elements besides offices.
The average building height along Washington Street is 5.23 storeys.
The owners of the collapsed building were brought to court – the full details of which I am unclear of – but I do know new building quality requirements were introduced as a result of the tragedy by the then Cork Corporation.
The design in my opinion of John Mannix’s project aren’t wildly imaginative but befitting to the area.
There is, in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development on Washington Street, is only one new, 6-storey office development (right across the street actually).
The location of the Mannix project is one in much need of development. Anyone familiar with the location will testify to this. Especially at such a prominent site.
And although I agree Liffey Valley is externally rancid, Cork developers have become, at least in their own city, become increasingly aware of the pressure being enforced on them to come up with projects of a far greater architectural standard – advocated strongly by City Manager Joe Gavin, and influential media outlets such as the Evening Echo – 21 Lavitts Quay, John Hornibrook’s Camden Quay project, Frinailla’s Grand Parade Plaza, O’Flynn Construction’s forthcoming No. 6 Lapp’s Quay – and Paul Kenny’s revised South Main Street project – all reflect this.
In addition, An Taisce has the primary purpose with relatin to planning, to raise awareness of the potential loss of what THEY deem architecturally significant buildings of a historic nature. Here’s my problem: John Mannix, whose Mannix and Culhane shop on 40-42 Washington Street, has proposed the development of a much needed over basement, office, parking, retail and apartment development measuring 6-storeys (similar to th height of the rest of Washington Street). Anyone who knows the shop knows that it is only a ground floor premises (completely out of sync with the rest of the street), [REMOVED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INAPPROPRIATE INFORMATION – MY MOST SINCERE APOLOGISES]. However An Taisce have objected, why? Because, the development would adversely affect the present structure (which does NOT exist, it collapsed and is now a horrid ground floor make-shift structure), because it is unsuited to the district (the building by Conveney & Assoc. has been designed in keeping with the red-brick style buildings of Washington Street) and because in is of inappropriate height overshadowing other significant buildings in the area (the building is of a similar height to its previous form and of surrounding structures). Tell me, is this fair? Free speech yes, but hindering progress. Cork has been riddled with more development stallments due to An Taisce, than almost any other Irish city. (that is a quote from Cork Business April 2004)
Well the problem is, the Bodega predominantly operates at night – as it is a late night bar – so where is their problem with light? Their restaurant hadn’t come into operation at the time of objection. And also, the residents of the Corp Housing predominantly objected on the grounds that they would be adversely affected during construction at that the development would heed further large scale developments. The problem here is that, the residents were given binding assurances from Rockfell Investments and City Council that any disruption (ie. temp loss of water) would be rectified by alternative supply immediately and construction would be restricted to suitable hours in consultation with residents. On top of generous compensation agreements. Now that permanent residency of the area is significantly reduced it seems that the residents lost out in the long run. Cornmarket lost because instead of a much needed city centre hotel with able conference facilities AND adjoing retail mall, they are now faced with more overpriced apartments (80 in toll) that most normal people just can’t afford. The addition of 7 only retail units was thrown in by Rockfell to appear more agreeable to the City Council’s development strategy for the area which had earmarked the site for Higher-Order retail development. Instead, they are now getting a half-assed novelty attachment to facilitate the real monster, apartments. The building itself is an almost identical replica of the original hotel design. So all in all, I strongly disagree with you that the new development (based on residential purposes) is better. Its worse. There is now no hotel, no conference facilities, no parking and no retail centre. I am aware most traders (Con Dennehy notably) supported the original project but are now more weary of this new development.
I don’t think so. A lot of the residents were OAPs – and they’d been there since the red-brick houses were built in the late 1950s/early 60s. As far as I know and don’t quote me on this, but a lot of the residents left either to move in with family or simply passed on. I understand the sentimental element to their objections but the developers had made generous incentives to the residents ( one of the residents themselves told me this, but refused to tell me what exactly it was) in order to compensate for construction disruption – but even those objections may have passed if it wasn’t for good ole An Taisce jumping on the bandwagon. I swear, I understand the relevance of An Taisce, but it seems they have nothing better to do with their excessive time than hold back the progress of our cities. Shouldn’t city planners worry about the appropriate development of our cities and not An Taisce? Let them raise appropriate arguments with relation to Protected Structures and leave it with City Planners to decide thereafter, not go running to An Bord Pleanale everytime a new development is proposed.
Corporation Housing residents behind the Guy site objected to the scale of the project (at 6-storeys) and they were helped out by – who else? – An Taisce. The Bodega bar also objected. But the street is now worse off because of petty-short sightedness. 80 apartments has become the revised solution. Ugh! The hotel would have been SO much better. And of the Corp Housing residents? There is only one permanent resident remaining. Typical!
I wish I wish I wish city planners and developers would actually use their brains and open their minds to a little architectural ingenuity! Ireland has next to nothing along the lines of a real ‘Landmark’ building or structure. Sure there’s The Spire, but like, as much as I like it, it’s still an oversized pin. Cork has the occasional nice/lankmark building, 21 Lavitts Quay, Shandon Bells but that’s it! I wish developers would take a chance and do something truly amazing! With HUGE potential for this kinda thing in places like the Dublin and Cork dockland development areas – now’s the time! London has the Houses of Parliament, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Statue of Liberty, Sydney the Opera House, Ireland…em…the…the Spire???
Ahh the Kinsale Road Roundabout, Cork city – where 3 motorways and 4 roads meet, lanes disappear half-way round and no-one is ever really sure how to get off without crashing into someone else. A true wonder of modern city planning. All I can say is thank God for the long over due and pricey 42million euro fly-over which has begun construction. Hopefully, with it’s presence, we can finally account for the 25,000 out of the 85,000 vehicles that go missing there every day.
I won’t pretend Cork is something it’s not – it requires MAJOR investment to make it the darling it could be. What I love about Cork is that it does have SO much potential. It could be a truly eye-catching and inspiring city – but lack of funds, especially from Government circles doesn’t seem to help. Private investment in the city at the moment is impressive – but more is needed, especially in the city centre. We need better planning laws, open minds and no An Taisce – after that we’re sorted. The exciting thing is, Cork is gonna look a helluva look better come 2005 and let’s just hope it’s one big party as promised!
Also, Owen O’Callaghan has a deal with J+P with relation to their Emmet Place premises – they have a no-talks-with-the-press deal. But Owen O’C has in the meantime bought the site along the side-street adjacent to the Examiner premises on which the gay bar Taboo was situated at the former Vodafone store next to GQ on St. Patrick’s Street – so it’s not too hard to guess what he’s up to as he is one of the 3 tenders being reviewed by Thomas Crosbie Holdings for the Examiner site on Academy Street. There’s also a rumour Barters Travel Agency, the pharmacy and pub next to it on Paddy’s Street have entered deals with him to sell-up or relocated, free up a huge development quarter on Cork’s main shopping thoroughfare.
Hey lads! How’s it going? The Guy & Co site on Cornmarket Street is actually owned by the O’Donoghue/Ring families, they own the Munster Joinery in Ballydesmond near Mallow and a string of hotels in Killarney including the lovely Killarney Plaza. Money is no object! They applied for PP for 80 apartments and 7 retail units pretty much along the same design as the original hotel they’d planned 3 years ago. It’s a shame the hotel didn’t get the green-light – it was aesthetically beautiful and would be a far greater asset than more apartments to Cork.
