phatman
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Haha this must be of architectural importance, such is the protection it enjoys from CIE. Hmmm, 110 years and if it was colour i couldn’t tell the difference…
Haha this must be of architectural importance, such is the protection it enjoys from CIE. Hmmm, 110 years and if it was colour i couldn’t tell the difference…Report on Cork in today’s Irish Times quotes Habitat as being the anchor for the Cornmarket Street Development.
I hadn’t realized there has been any decision/statement. Anyone know if this is true, or if there have been any other tenants confirmed?Well, saw the thread was slipping down the list a bit , can’t have that now can we. Anyone see the supplement on the Sunday Tribune about Cork, Capital of Culture? In a feature on Mr. O’Callaghan’s interests in Cork, it listed the current and future elements of Mahon Point, among which was a 5,000 seater events centre. No ‘proposed’ in sight. So have the corporation granted him his wish? I doubt it , as i havent heard anything to indicate this as yet, or is this an indication that they intend to do so?
Yep, wishing everyone a very Happy christmas and New Year, and saying thanks for keeping this thread alive! Here’s to a prosperous new year for all of us, and to the redevelopment of Cork.
As regards the effectiveness of the Main Drainage scheme, while there is undoubtedly a marked improvement in the quality of the river water, it will take some time for the river to regenerate itself, and for the visual effects to become apparent. Note that the scheme is simply processing the water itself, while the sludge and grime etc will have to be discharged naturally, over a gradual period, so don’t despair those of you who think it’s been a waste of 200 million squid.
As for your proposal blimp, it’s certainly an idea, one which wouldnt by any means break the corporation bank. Would be down more to environmental issues if it were ever to be considered, methinks. But I’m glad to see people are so enthusiastic about refocusing our attention on the river, such a so-far untapped resource, could be the making of the city. With proper planning and integrated schemes, as opposed to random non-complementing ones, there is a wealth of quay-side at our disposal. In particular the north quays downstream from Patrick’s Bridge, but as regards more extending the city-centre in terms of restaurants, shops and cafes etc, the whole quayside from Lavitts Quay as far as the Gate Cinema holds great potential.
Also, in response to Bunch, I would have to agree with you as regards the one-way nature of the quays, but perhaps more emphasis should be placed on pedestrian movement in the future, as im sure it will. The South Channel is largely ok, like you say, nothing spectacular, but does hold a certain charm, with the exception of the afforementioned fas building, which by the way, it is rumoured is to be demolished to make way for further development, should be interesting if anything comes of this.
Bunch – I agree, I have no desire for Cork’s quaysides to turn out like Limericks have, ie. with no character whatsoever. They have done a good job in transforming it from what it was, but like you say, there is too much use of red brick, flat roofs etc., buildings characteristic of the early, rushed stages of the celtic tiger, basically where any change was good, which in the future we will look back on with the same disdain we have for 1970’s architecture, I’m afraid. That is why I consider Cork’s late blossoming in terms of deveopment as being a blessing in disguise, we have the chance to learn from past mistakes, and to better realise what will stand the test of time, and add to the city now and in the future. We have undoubtedly been guilty of these mistakes in Cork too, I look around at so many buildings of the last 10-15 years which i would tear down without a second thought, merchant’s quay like you say, and it just seems like such a waste of time, resources, and development potential to waste. Another concern of mine, is the role the city council take in the quayside redevelopment – it’s fine for the developers to put in place modern new buildings which look great – but what about the actual quays themselves? They are crumbling and decaying, and totally neglected, despite being our most vital asset. They really are in disgraceful repair, and it is about time that a plan is put in place to integrate their renewal with the renewal of the inlying preoperties. Shandon street bridge is perhaps a start, even though i have my doubts about the haphazard entrance from the coal quay. What howard holdings are undertaking should be encouraged on a more general scale, this being their development of riverside boardwalk etc, and i do note several other proposals which contain similar plans, but as there is SO much quayside we can’t rely on random piecemeal refurbishments to suffice. Now that Patrick Street and the city centre have had their facelifts, I am hoping something significant will be done to reclaim the quays.
Ok, so Cork is undergoing alot of development right now, and will be alot more in the near future. But walking through town yesterday, it struck me just how much potential there is for our city (those of us from cork), and how it will be quite a long time before it will be fully rejuvenated, and cured of the post 1930’s ‘architecture’ that plagues this town. Looking at Limerick, it has taken them a few short years to expoit the potential of their riverbanks, even though they have done a good job. But here in Cork we have so much more to work with, 2 channels, as yet virtually undeveloped. And if i had the money and the power i would change ALOT. For instance, looking across from Merchants’s Quay to the opposite bank, as far as Water Street, there is not one building i would consider to add to the quay side as a whole, and even though im sure half of them are for no reason listed, it really is not an impressive vista. Upstream from Patrick’s Bridge there is undoubtedly a wealth of fine buildings, but i would really like to see the aforementioned redeveloped, tastefully of course, and a general improvement of the quaysides encouraged. How can it be that for a city so tied to the water and river, that the attention has thus far been diverted away from the lee towards the island within? Not wanting to ramble aimlessly, but the lee does hold so much potenial , and im not just talking about the docklands. Any opinions, comments?
@lexington wrote:
-> Phatman, about Victoria Lodge, I agree – it ain’t the Lourve but it is relatively well shaded by trees and surrounding developments. But 5-storeys, high-rise???
I am definitely of the opinion that 5 storeys is anything but high-rise, maybe you picked me up wrong Lexington, i thought i placed inverted commas around the phrase anytime i did use it. I was using Victoria Lodge just as an example, to highlight the impact higher buildings could have in the wrong location, but i must re-iterate i am not opposed to hgih-rise in itself, but just in the wrong location, just as i would be opposed to any architectural design that does not complement it’s surroundings. It is a delicate issue in Cork due to the nature of the topography, but in the right locations and allowing for a variety of critical aspects such buildings could look very well.
@lexington wrote:
Fourth, with the exception of Victoria Mills (fair enough, I accept V.M. is like one of those mean street-corner hustlers who reads to children at the orphanage on weekends – unsightly to look at but pretty on the inside), the standard of these so-called ‘high-rise’ has been relatively good and has not detracted from the sky-line in any negative way – nor residential amenity and privacy (which many residents now reluctantly acknowledge) – the city planners have, in fairness, been very careful and considerate about this issue.
Lexington, i do appreciate your annoyance with the sentiments of this group, who, like an taisce, seem to have it in their intent to stifle any decent development proposals, but the fact is that Bishopstown is, on the whole, a predominantly low-rise, low density residential suburb. Thus i feel that any development contravening this fact should be curbed, or at least be very carefully considered, and be restricted to the main arteries of Model Farm Road etc, and around Vitoria Cross. As regards the impact on the skyline, i have to disagree with you, in that i consider UCC’s Victoria Lodge development to have quite a negative impression, especially when travelling west along Western Road, by the clinic. The flat unimaginative roofs are quite obtrusive on the skyline, especially in the evening – this coupled with Victoria Mills really doesn’t lead me to agree with you about the city planners being ‘careful and considerate’ about this issue. To add to this, i find it unfortunate the impact CUH has, viewed from surrounding areas, due to it’s elevated situation, and while it does act somewhat as a ‘gateway’ from the western suburbs to the inner ones, the effect is, in my opinion, just too profound, and would question the condoning of furhter ‘high-rise’ in this area. But seeing as we dont live in a perfect world, it could be worse, and I’ll conclude that maybe we just need to be more selective and demanding as to the quality of these schemes, I’m all for building upwards if the situation is right, and if the intent is to mix aesthetics with economy of acreage, so maybe we”ll learn from Vitoria Mills, eh?!
In response to Bob Dole, well i have to agree about the Kingsley, the hotel you refer to across from the county hall, this building does sadden me everytime i look at it, it really could have and should have been so much more, considering it’s delicate situation along the Lee, and it’s being directly across from the council offices! Maybe the new extension will improve things a bit, but from any angle i have viewed the building I have not been pleased. As for Victoria Mills, I can’t say I see any merit in it’s design, akin to a duplo house, and the fact that an identical, but lower-rise, block is currently under construction next to it on the former petrol-station site adds insult to injury, but all this aside I think it does add to the area somewhat, could have been alot better though.
The new building by Sharman Crawford bridge that you mentioned; well it is an improvement on the streetscape, and is certainly of an ‘interesting’ design, but does seem to be muddled up somewhat, and im not sure about the section protruding towards UCC, at street level, I must inspect it in person more closely, however i am quite pleased with what i have seen so far, and I don’t think it’s quite so bad as you make out – what exactly displeases you so much about it, and what would you personally have deemed more adequate for the site in question?So Lexington, Dunnes have won the bid for the centre? What a pity, was hoping marks & sparks would come good. That must be 9 or 10 stores they have in the city alone now, a bit excessive, eh? Could really do with some competition. Any other confirmed tenants?
I don’t have a scanner Leesider, in response to that request for the image of Lapp’s Quay, maybe somebody else does. If you really want to see it, you could always grab a backcopy of the Examiner in the city Library!Not quite worth that I’d say, as impressive as it is.
Anyone know about the Bandon Road roundabout, as regards construction of a flover? I know originally it was intended to build the Kinsale interchange first, and then to commence on Sarsfield and Bandon, due in part to minimising disruption during construction, but mainly due to funding, but i have noticed that the completion date of the second phase of the Ballincollig bypass has been pushed back by several months to next spring, to accomodate revised plans for the roundabout. Does this mean they’re actually going to do the smart thing and build the flyover in conjunction with the bypass?Unfortunately i fear not, that they’re merely adjusting the current situation to ease construction when they eventually do decide to do the full job, but i may be wrong, would appreciate any info.Thanks for that, Lexington, you’re right, it does seem strange to leave so much space vacant for so long, just proves your earlier point about the alleged floorspace ‘crisis’ in the city-centre, again down to inefficiency and poor planning. Will be interesting to see how all this turns out. I must say the aerial shot of lapp’s quay in the examiner today was pretty breath-taking, It really is shaping up to be something special, the recently commisioned sculpture should look great. Im curious as to how o’flynn (or is it Bowen doing the actual construction?) are constructing no.6, they seem to be leaving the corner section out for the time being, and focusing on the end nearer the bus station. Should look great when finished though. Im gonna pick your brains again lexington, this time as regards that triangular lot just by the bus station, which sold for a hefty sum recently, I saw the report on last weeks commercial property section of the examiner, in which it suggested that a c.9 storey building was being considered.Do you have any further info?This is actually a tiny site, but could really accomodate a quality landmark building, adding to the now flourishing lower city centre area, im hopeful that something will come of this…
Lexington, as regards the change of plans for lavitts quay etc: I understand that the examiner would obviously not have moved operations to the lavitts quay site until the development there was complete, realistically this would have been sometime around 2006/2007. But seeing as the city quarter development has an expected completion date of next march, they will be able to make their move a lot sooner than originally anticipated. How does all this affect Owen O’ Callaghan’s plans for the academy street site??This would not have begun construction until the Examiner had made their move, upon the completion of the lavitts quay develpoment, originally, but can we expect progress in the nearer future as a result?
As regards the hotel at MP, Hilton Hotels were confirmed during the summer.Speculated tenants at Ballincollig were listed by lexington in an earlier post, I cant remember who exactly, but it was a well recognised chain.
As for ucc the it campus cleared the planning several months ago, however, Im not sure if it’s development is a priority right now with the coolege, with the development of the new pharmacy building and the Brookfield campus. A recent publication regarding the future development needs of ucc didnt mention the immediate development of this site, which i found surprising, but that’s not to say it wont happen soon, im really not all that sure.I do know that there has been minor activity around the greyhound stadium, with minor clearing works, nothing substantial though.
For anyone in the know, are there plans to develop Custom House Quay?Along what lines?The right development of this site would really create an impressive quayside from lapps quay.I actually drove past there yesterday evening too lexington, and i thought exactly the same thing as you, it really looked impressive from the city hall side. Its been a few weeks since i last drove this way, but even in that much time the difference is immense. Really promising.
This is an interesting photograph i came across, Shows some of the sites under development not included in lexington’s post above, Even though this image is several months old. Of particular notice is the eglinton street site, Actually more sizeable than it appears from the ground. Just imagine the same image including the water street development, redeveloped horgan quay, and o’ flynn’s eglinton street development, among others, what an impressive vista that would be, and hopefully will be. thanks for that web address lexington
