mickeydocs
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No disrespect Diaspora, but inner-city Dublin is still not a pleasant experience (with the exception of Grafton Street).
Having lived in Paris and Brussels I find our nations capital to be a dreadfully uninspiring place. I have lived here for quite a while now and will soon return to the continent.
My long-term goal of course is to return to Cork, which is why I am so keen to see Cork establish itself in sectors other than the Pharma-Health Industry sphere. To date we have been at a disadvantage in attracting ICT and Financial operations due to the fact that both Limerick and Dublin can offer direct access to transatlantic flights, and both areas enjoy tax-free areas… which is clear and unambiguous proof that Cork has been at an unfair disadvantage due to central government policy for a very long period of time.
Tax breaks coupled with better transatlantic access are the catalysts needed to make the docklands project work.
Seems to me that Michéal Martin has been appointed as the Minister for Enterprise at a very good moment in time for Cork 🙂
Originally posted by lexington
I agree the Jervis Centre is a pleasant place to shop and Project Management did a lovely job on it – with a considerate approach to its surroundings. I only pray for such consideration in the other O’Callaghan Properties retail development for Academy Street (right off Patrick’s Street) in Cork. The 6-storey over basement development will consume the entire block – the former Examiner HQ, Johnson & Perrott, Grand Circle Lounge, Taboo, TJS, Ryans and so on – and cost 150m euro (est’d). I should only hope a Jervis Centre standard is enacted. I’ll have first drafts in early Jan 2005 hopefully.
Merchants Quay was originally developed by O’Callaghan Properties, Heron Property (UK) and Treasury Holdings. It was sold a few years ago to a First Active Trust. Therefore, MQ is not O’Callaghan’s concern, Mahon Point SC (60,000sq m gross + retail park) is. And in a few years, The Academy Plaza will be his concern when CGNU or such funds buy into O’Callaghan’s stake in conjunction with Deka. The reason I list tenants, regardless of status (and I only did it once) is because it reflects the investment trends in Cork – and also displays the confidence various businesses install in the region. Even if an established retailler like Pull & Bear wish to open another store at MP, it shows the confidence they reflect in their business here.
I agree trends come and go, architecture lasts – and that is why I have never been a fan of MP’s design (despite beliefs otherwise) and would be a fan of say, Cornmarket Street Development – it is a considerate design with respect to the city centre and existing historical structures.
In addition, Ballincollig Town Centre, reflects another large scale retail SC (40,000sq m gross) and will house 3 large anchor stores in addition to 35 further retail units of varying sizes. A good tenant list has been composed.
As for Docklands Tax Designation – this issue is something I am actively involved in and it is a work in progress. I just hope our efforts succeed.
Lexington, there is alot of people who enjoy your posts so please continue to post.
Diaspora, thanks for representing An Taisce. I believe the frustrations with the planning system in Cork should not always stop at the feet of national government. Local government have made some truly tragic decisions.
The National government of which An Taisce is representative have not helped areas outside of Dublin to develop in competition with Dublin. The general tax amnesties granted to the IFSC should have been granted to all the major cities of Ireland. Cork airport should also have been allowed to develop Transatlantic routes at the same time Dublin Airport received this privilege.
The major problems that blight Dublin are a result of these unequivocal privileges. Dublin is a small European city trying hard to market itself as a global centre which it is not. Development has taken place irrespective of infrastructure and Dublin has changed from being an exciting and friendly city to a city with a population approaching the neurotic. Yesterday evening I had a cyclist shout profanities at me as I walked to my car with my four year old son for reasons only known to the cyclist. The feeling in the city is now one of frustration and many of my colleagues are now looking to relocate to either the provinces or other countries.
I really hope Cork does not make some of the mistakes Dublin has made. Lexington is absolutely right in objecting to the tellenganna development because it is not right for its location. Traffic in this area is already creating problems, especially because this area is close to Parc Ui Chaoimh and the Showgrounds and suffer occasional upsurges in traffic volumes.
This development would be ideal for the docklands area and as such the CCC should be encouraging developments such as this in leafy suburbs. Mahon Point is no more than two miles from this location and is already zoned for such developments. The NSC is a similar development yet it is located next to the South Link and traffic access isn’t an issue.Anywho that’s my piece. This thread is not a Cork versus Dublin thread. It is a thread which is of great interest to those of us interested in seeing Cork city and Environs develop into an international class city. It is the opinion of the majority of the posters here that Cork has the hinterland, population base, intellectual structure and connections to be a truly successful international city, and the majority of us live away from the city and have high hopes of the City attracting the kind of employers that will allow us top pursue our career goals without having to live in Dublin or London.
We have created a Pharma centre of excellence, and now we should have our eyes on creating a centre of excellence for finance and ict.
Agreed… couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy 🙂
Originally posted by TomF
Is McDowell being shafted?Hopefully.
:p
That same echo story had a quote from the city manager in which he stated that a tram system was not on the current list of priorities, but may be consideredin the distant future. The City Council is currently investing alot of money on quality bus corridors which cost significantly less and carry just as many people. The other priority has been the park&ride scheme which is to be extended to all major approach routes. The park&ride scheme in conjunction with quality bus corridors will provide an excellent service in several directions at a fraction of the cost of a tram system. The costs incurred, and the safety implications of the existing tram system in Dublin are enough to make other solutions seem far more reasonable.
Originally posted by Diaspora
It is not the function of the National Trust For Ireland (An Taisce) to object principally to any scheme on the basis of inadequate road access, it is relevant to cite it as ‘another reason’ in particular cases but it in isolation is not enough.The montage of the scheme you are ‘whinging’ about looks fine, but no montage takes account of more than one angle. But in from the angle it looks fine, there are no other structures in the montage, so I don’t see how anyone could complain relying on that image.
Lexington has often made the point that An Taisce ‘object to everything’, as soon as they don’t……..
This thread has entirely ignored the proposed Luas for Cork which would do more for Cork than every other project mentioned here as the solutions.
Hey Corcaighboy, how’s Hong Kong as a place to live?
The architecture must be awe inspiring.Originally posted by corcaighboy
As a rebel overseas but obviously interested in developments back home, this thread is manna from heaven. To Lex in particular, mickey docs and all the other regular posters, keep up the good work. Unusual to get a reasoned and concise view of planning and development matters in Cork when in Asia, nevermind back home! Cheers and thanks again.Great to see the end is finely in sight for the warehouses on Albert Quay.
The whole area of City Hall/Albert Quay/Lapps Quay/Eglinton Road will look superb when finished (presuming planning is granted to O’Flynns and Howard Holdings).
There are references to Jacob’s Mill much earlier in this thread.
The owners of Jacobs on The Mall have a plan to turn this building into a food hall/food emporium. Planning permission was granted and work has started but there seems to be a flaw with the building that is holding up progress on the site.Originally posted by corkdood
Has there been any progress on the vacant building on Fr Mathew Quay adjacent to Parliament Bridge (behind the Bank of Ireland)?
I believe there were proposals to redevelop it. Its been empty for years and is a real eyesore when driving along Georges Quay into town.
Forgive me if work has started on this project – I haven’t been in the area for a while.St. Marys on Pope’s Quay deserves a mention for its beautiful neo-classical columns.
Originally posted by phil
For me it is either Kent Railway Station, with that amazing curved wall, or The Christ the King Church:turnerscross.com/…/ ctk_cork_full_front_view
Some European commenators have remarked that the second world war provided one great service to Europe in that it destroyed the medieval cities allowing for the great countries of Europe to remodel their cities completely 🙂
But decisive in the of Sean Barratt school of transport economics, i.e. roads, roads and more roads. His first policy speach was directed entirely at regional transport, i.e. giving them a road to Dublin.
It is funny how regional development never involves allowing the regions to participate with each other.
The lack of a train line and a decent road between Cork/Limerick/Shannon/Galway/Sligo is a disgrace, especially as a western corridor would provide an excellent counterpole to Dublin.As for the underground option in Dublin… should the rest of the country really continue to pay for Dublin’s transport network?
Surely it makes more sense to extend the dart, link up the luas, and increase the number of bus lanes rather than spend billions on the dream of providing Dublin with an underground that it doesn’t need. Manchester and Birmingham are much larger cities and conurbations that survive without an underground.Have a look at the conservatives hopes for an underground in Birmingham (the greater Brum area has a population in excess of six million people):
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/lifestyle/shopping/latestnews/tm_objectid=14240386&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=brum-to-go-underground–name_page.html
Surely this will give you an idea as to the insanity of spending up to 2 billion on such a system for Dublin, a conurbation with at most a population of 1.5 million… where is the sense?Good man Lexington, it’s been quiet around here without your input.
Originally posted by lexington
*UPDATES*-> Argos & Lifestyle Sports will join anchor tenant Atlantic Homecare at the new 100m euro Blackpool Retail Park being developed by the Shipton Group. The new Argos Extra store will measure 10,000sq ft – twice the size of their existing Grand Parade/Daunt Sq store in the city centre. Lifestyle will occupy a store of 6,000sq ft.
In an unrelated announcement, Toni&Guy Hairdressers are to open a further store at Buckley’s Corner (former Carpet Store) on Washington Street.
-> The Capitol Cineplex on Grand Parade is being given a minor facelift, after coming under sharp criticism from CCC for its dire aesthetics. Ward Anderson had been reluctant to revamp the cineplex in light of future developments for the site. Ward Anderson plan to relocate their business to a new 11-screen multiplex at Mahon Point in Feburary 2005. One rumoured development for the site is a 6-storey over basement retail development with ground floor area of just under 40,000 sq ft – no further info has been received by me on this proposal so I can’t verify anything further.
-> Beamish & Crawford’s HQ on South Main Street is due for a revamp after an application was lodged with CCC for new railing, roof, facade adjustments and paint improvements.
-> Sherland Entertainments Ltd based in Dublin has been successful in their application for the redevelopment of the former Mercier Book Store on Academy Street as an Insomnia brand coffeeshop & deli.
-> 21 objections have been raised against Riga Limited (O’Callaghan Properties/Jurys Doyle Group) development plans for Jury’s Hotel site on the Western Road. Of course the usual suspects were involved, An Taisce. After reading some of the grounds for objections, I have to say, some are laughable, but either way, Riga is going to have a tough ride through the planning process. I hope the proposal is successful, although my unease remains with relation to the residential element of the project.
-> For those of you anxious to know what it is O’Flynn Construction have planned for Eglinton Street, yet again, O’Flynn have said their announcement is imminent. And when it is made, if successful, it will be one of the largest construction projects in Cork next year. I have to say however, I would prefer a larger retail element – but last minute revisions may yet surprise me.
Finally, to theblimp, if you have a public e-mail a/c you could post online, I will contact you thereafter as soon as I am available. Failing that, try setting up a web-based ‘rubbish’ a/c you don’t mind displaying online. I will have to ask you a few questions beforehand through e-mail as I’m sure you can understand (privacy reasons etc).
P.S. Remember, Werdna Ltd’s plans for Water Street are expecting a decision this coming Wednesday (29th September 2004). The original decision date was scheduled for July, but CCC pushed the date back to September for further deliberation reasons. This is one of the most important planning decisions ever before Cork, let’s all just hope that the decision made will green-light the project. The countdown begins today. Here’s just a little reminder of what we should be hoping for ->
Fingers crossed!Originally posted by Nick
what is the vision for cork? what is the master plan long term goal of the city? how d want it be i 50 years time and beyond?
Rapid growth and trying to meet a rediculus deadline for developement of the city of culture lark is short sited and ignorant and will only lead to poor shoddy architecture of style over substance that in 10years time will look equally as hidious as all the buildings mentioned above. Cork needs a long term vision, surely thats what we should be working on rather than a takey street by street approach that exists at the moment.The current strategy(s) for Cork are outlined in both the CASP and Cork Docklands Development Plan, both of which are outlined on the city council and county council websites (corkcorp.ie/corkcoco.ie. These strategies have been agreed by both councils and have also been accepted by the government as part of the National Spatial Strategy. They form a blueprint for the direction of the greater city for the next 20 years.
The strategy in brief is to drive the development of Cork on a metropolitan area which includes all of the satellite towns and ring towns which incorporate greater Cork, an area with a population in excess of 300K.
There is no drive to extend the city for the sake of it. Current development is not aimed at preparing the city for the city of culture, and the development plans mentioned above both have plans outlined for a 20 year period. The city of culture is seen as a catalyst for inviting influential guests to the city and as such the local government has spent money on improving the aesthetic of the city. The city of culture is not been seen by anyone as a means to an end.
The Docklands is in dire need of attention but at the same time provides huge development opportunities. Lapps Quay is currently seeing the majority of developments, and these are the first major developments in the docklands overhaul. The only other city areas which will experience rapid development are the Blackpool and Mahon areas.
Originally posted by Lorcan
Just wondering what people thought/think of the really old blue and white telecom eireann phone boxes. walking aroiund in cork the other day and noticed a few lying in a scrap heap. if the were totally refitted maybe they could be brought back, possibly to the old parts of a city, ie english market area (cork 2005?). i prefer them to the new glass ones, though these ones do look good down patrick street i must say.The old phone booths on Oliver Plunkett Street (near the GPO) are currently being refurbished and will feature as part of the street furniture in the not too distant future.
BTW, have they started redeveloping Winthrop Street yet?
And surely the loft’s business is better suited to a retail park… this place is never busy and the majority of people just use it as a pathway between two streets. This venue would be excellent, and has close proximity to two multi-storey car-parks (Paul Street and North Main Street), so parking will not be an issue. Add this to the proposed regeneration of the market and the proposed park and the Coal Quay could become one of Cork’s most desirable locations.
Come on the blimp, you know it makes sense 🙂
Upstairs in the Queens Old Castle/?
BTW the Loft on the Coal Quay would be a fantastic site, and is already in a good area for bars/nightclubs and fits in with the regeneration of the area. Don’t know how happy J Bourke would be…
Originally posted by bunch
would this, by any chance, be required for a UK based pub/restaurant operation? to hold circa 1200 people?Capitol Cinema site Grand Parade?
Patrick’s Quay – somewhere?
Loft building, Cornmarket Street?
