Albert Quay - New Development

Michael.. · 20-12-2013 8:45pm #1

Would be great for the city to have an extra 2000 people using local shops, restaurants etc. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/50m-office-block-could-be-biggest-built-in-cork-253226.html

ninty9er · 20-12-2013 10:00pm

Isn't there already plenty of office space in the city? RDJ moved out of the city to Mahon Point, Apple plans to move 1,000 people to Holyhill, the Examiner building has plenty of vacancy.

While I admire their determination, it was excess like this that caused our economy to crash.

Flesh Gorden · 20-12-2013 11:02pm

Unnecessary, but I like it.

Even better if the O'Callaghan events center is built down the road from it.

KCAccidental · 21-12-2013 1:24am

they could call the place along with the Elysian 'The empty quarter'

Michael.. · 21-12-2013 2:39am

ninty9er wrote: »

Isn't there already plenty of office space in the city? RDJ moved out of the city to Mahon Point, Apple plans to move 1,000 people to Holyhill, the Examiner building has plenty of vacancy.

While I admire their determination, it was excess like this that caused our economy to crash.

Are Apple vacating the Half Moon street office ?

I think the people involved in this project have done a great job attracting big companies to City Gate down in Mahon Point.

However, I would much prefer if they invested in the city centre instead. Anything that gets people back into the city is positive in my book. Hopefully they get the go ahead and attract some big companies into Cork.

cantdecide · 21-12-2013 2:51am

I like older industrial buildings but what's there needs to be shoved into the Lee. It would really expand the CBD outwards and enhance the already impressive Lapp's Quay area. I really can't see how there can be demand for the development as it's laid out above though.

evilivor · 21-12-2013 10:06am

Michael.. wrote: »

Are Apple vacating the Half Moon street office ?

Yes, once the new Hollyhill facility is completed

Rhys Essien · 21-12-2013 6:10pm

KCAccidental wrote: »

they could call the place along with the Elysian 'The empty quarter'

Aldi could be going in there in the new year.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/aldi-to-take-up-residence-at-elysian-253285.html

2014 could be very good for the construction industry in Cork with the new prison,the event centre,Pairc ui Chaoimh all to start.

Michael.. · 21-12-2013 6:36pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Aldi could be going in there in the new year.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/aldi-to-take-up-residence-at-elysian-253285.html

2014 could be very good for the construction industry in Cork with the new prison,the event centre,Pairc ui Chaoimh all to start.

Seems pretty quiet around that area to be honest. Didn't think it would appeal to Aldi or any other supermarket chain for that matter. Good to see though. They obviously think that area has potential.

ofcork · 21-12-2013 8:12pm

Isnt that the same site owen o Callaghan wants to build his event centre.

Chazz Michael Michaels · 21-12-2013 8:17pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Aldi could be going in there in the new year.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/aldi-to-take-up-residence-at-elysian-253285.html

2014 could be very good for the construction industry in Cork with the new prison,the event centre,Pairc ui Chaoimh all to start.

Hah, quite a drop in prestige from the wankfest that surrounded this buildings launch.

evilivor · 21-12-2013 8:23pm

ofcork wrote: »

Isnt that the same site owen o Callaghan wants to build his event centre.

No.

ofcork · 21-12-2013 8:26pm

It is you know just googled o callaghans proposed plans there,navigation house is beside both artists plans.

phatmanwc · 21-12-2013 8:41pm

ofcork wrote: »

It is you know just googled o callaghans proposed plans there,navigation house is beside both artists plans.

Actually, Albert Quay extends across the N27, and eastwards past The Sextant. What you're seeing in O'Callaghan's proposal is indeed Navigation House; however, what you're seeing in the JCD rendering is the very-similar Albert Quay House, which has already been redeveloped and incorporated into the Webworks Building.

Easily mistaken; such is the plethora of historical heritage buildings we have in Cork

ofcork · 21-12-2013 8:47pm

You are spot on there although strangely on google street view,albert quay house has navigation house on it.

KCAccidental · 21-12-2013 8:55pm

Michael.. wrote: »

Seems pretty quiet around that area to be honest. Didn't think it would appeal to Aldi or any other supermarket chain for that matter. Good to see though. They obviously think that area has potential.

I guess the thing with Aldi and Lidl is that people travel to shop there for the prices, so they don't really have to worry about footfall from the surrounding area. For instance, I live not far from the Aldi in Ballyphehane and many people living in the City Centre will walk/bus it out there to do their shopping.

I guess for Aldi, The Elysian will give them a cheaper rent than somewhere right inside town, but it will be close enough to entice those who dwell in the city centre. Also with Lidl going into the cornmarket (cheap rent again), I guess Aldi felt they had to open up central as well. Only difference will be that Aldi will have customer parking available.

Rhys Essien · 21-12-2013 11:10pm

KCAccidental wrote: »

I guess the thing with Aldi and Lidl is that people travel to shop there for the prices, so they don't really have to worry about footfall from the surrounding area. For instance, I live not far from the Aldi in Ballyphehane and many people living in the City Centre will walk/bus it out there to do their shopping.

I guess for Aldi, The Elysian will give them a cheaper rent than somewhere right inside town, but it will be close enough to entice those who dwell in the city centre. Also with Lidl going into the cornmarket (cheap rent again), I guess Aldi felt they had to open up central as well. Only difference will be that Aldi will have customer parking available.

If you read the link I gave,they estimate the rent will be ~€400,000 a year.Nothing cheap about that.

KCAccidental · 21-12-2013 11:12pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

If you read the link I gave,they estimate the rent will be ~€400,000 a year.Nothing cheap about that.

compared to a similar sized space on Patrick st or Grand Parade without customer parking, that is cheap.

Rhys Essien · 21-12-2013 11:17pm

Fair enough,I wouldn't be too up on commercial rent prices but that's a lot of bags of 15c vegtables,ha.

KCAccidental · 21-12-2013 11:24pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Fair enough,I wouldn't be too up on commercial rent prices but that's a lot of bags of 15c vegtables,ha.

it definitely is a lot regardless. and rates up on top of that :eek:

A lot of premises on Patrick St are ridiculously priced, that's why mothercare has been empty for so long and HMV as well until GD bit the bullet and went in.

Milly33 · 22-12-2013 1:36pm

It looks mank.. sick of them not using the old buildings that are there already and spending a fortune on these new mank ones. No point to them building it twill be another waste of space. would be better putting something nice there for the community in the area or for kids use or something

Milly33 · 22-12-2013 1:38pm

just reading it why a office block that's stupid they cant fill the ones they have..fecking muppets

Pro Hoc Vice · 22-12-2013 1:51pm

Milly33 wrote: »

just reading it why a office block that's stupid they cant fill the ones they have..fecking muppets

There is a difference between office space and quality office space. Across from the proposed development is the city quarter it was full, untill the issue with Examiner but I doubt they will have much trouble filling it.

In relation to half moon I was informed Apple are keeping it even after Holly Hill is completed. While many developers ruined themselves and their bankers some continued to trade and make money.

The Elysian is now half full in the apartments, the commercial with the shop deal is completely full on the south side, the north side is half full and the west is empty, except for the old marketing suite, but from what I'm hearing that will change.

ofcork · 22-12-2013 3:02pm

Is there parking available in the elysian for those who want to shop at the aldi when it opens?

Pro Hoc Vice · 22-12-2013 3:19pm

ofcork wrote: »

Is there parking available in the elysian for those who want to shop at the aldi when it opens?

There are a few hundred spaces in the building.

Rhys Essien · 25-02-2014 1:53pm

Good news,this job is to start in the next few weeks.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/boost-for-cork-as-50m-albert-quay-development-gets-go-ahead-259973.html

CHealy · 25-02-2014 2:19pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Good news,this job is to start in the next few weeks.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/boost-for-cork-as-50m-albert-quay-development-gets-go-ahead-259973.html

Fantastic news, whats there at the moment is one of the citys biggest eyesores.

Skylined.94 · 25-02-2014 3:13pm

Great news alright... that area was really becoming a bit of an eye sore and was ideally placed for new development being adjacent to the City Hall, nearby hotels and Elysian complex. Hopefully its the start of things to come which will culminate in the Docklands development *fingers crossed*

zetalambda · 25-02-2014 5:03pm

CHealy wrote: »

Fantastic news, whats there at the moment is one of the citys biggest eyesores.

Looks terrible alright.

ofcork · 25-02-2014 8:16pm

Those buildings were all part of the old railway site,all new buildings look the same now though just all glass.

Mushy · 25-02-2014 8:27pm

They've been doing some form of work in one of those buildings that are making way for this. I assume its part of the work for this?

phatmanwc · 25-02-2014 11:48pm

Great news! Looking forward to following the progress, should be a great addition to the river frontage; speaking of which, does anyone know if there is any condition relating to upgrading of the quayside? This is a particularly grotty section of Albert Quay, and it would be great if this opportunity were used to smarten it up; some tasteful paving and bollards etc. perhaps, doesn't have to be a boardwalk!

Anyway, the bigger picture is fantastic, despite slight concerns about the height, and the aesthetics aren't going to set the world on fire either. The way things are though, I'll most certainly settle for this!

Oafley Jones · 26-02-2014 9:48am

Whats there is terrible, but the city doesn't need more ugly office space - particularly in that area. Interesting the reaction here and the type of posters moved to greet this development. Astroturfing?

zetalambda · 26-02-2014 9:54am

So what's your suggestion for the site?

Looks even worse from this view:

Oafley Jones · 26-02-2014 10:13am

zetalambda wrote: »

So what's your suggestion for the site?

Looks even worse from this view:

That looks brutal alright. Given that perspective that's actually worse than what's there now. Still, there has to be a business case for what ever goes there. At the moment its...

1) Office Space
2) ?????????
3) Jobs.

While ignoring that we've a glut of number 1.

zetalambda · 26-02-2014 10:26am

The IDA are saying that a lack of suitable office space in Cork, Dublin & Galway city centers is proving a barrier to foreign companies who want set up here. In a BBC radio interview a few weeks ago, Owen O' Callaghan said he is to resume development of new office space in the city center shortly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflj0

What do you think of this office development planned for the old tax office? Certainly looks better than the Albert Quay project.

Oafley Jones · 26-02-2014 10:50am

zetalambda wrote: »

The IDA are saying that a lack of suitable office space in Cork, Dublin & Galway city centers is proving a barrier to foreign companies who want set up here. In a BBC radio interview a few weeks ago, Owen O' Callaghan said he is to resume development of new office space in the city center shortly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflj0

The IDA have some neck to suggest that. I've no idea about Galway and Dublin, but we're awash with it. Perhaps, the IDA meant that there's a lack of suitable office space with accompanying grants - stemmed from redevelopment of certain zones etc - that would make it attractive (in the short term) to prospective clients.

zetalambda wrote: »

do you think of this office development planned for the old tax office? Certainly looks better than the Albert Quay project.

Going by that alone, it seems much better. It's seems smaller than what's there and the building's mass is broken up by the design. Again, if there isn't a business case for it, it shouldn't go ahead.

Oafley Jones · 26-02-2014 10:56am

Have to check out the o'callaghan interview, heard it went very poorly. Isn't lavitts quay his as well. Wonder will they get a tenant that will actually pay rent when apple vacate.

phatmanwc · 26-02-2014 11:55am

The above photomontage, as far as I'm aware, is for a previous incarnation; the approved design is shown below:

Again, far from perfect, but the harder lines work better on the updated design, and are more sympathetic to the City Quarter development across the way, providing better 'framing' of the view downstream (IMO).

Oafley Jones · 26-02-2014 12:04pm

phatmanwc wrote: »

The above photomontage, as far as I'm aware, is for a previous incarnation; the approved design is shown below:

Again, far from perfect, but the harder lines work better on the updated design, and are more sympathetic to the City Quarter development across the way, providing better 'framing' of the view downstream (IMO).

It's certainly more grey. Framing my ass. Ask yourself does that picture look better with or without that building?

Rhys Essien · 26-02-2014 12:18pm

Are these the final plans?.If so,it is downsized to 5 storey and that god awful tin can shed is being left there.

http://www.bamcontractors.ie/public/userfiles/Files/AlbertQuayBrochure.pdf

the beer revolu · 26-02-2014 12:36pm

zetalambda wrote: »

Looks terrible alright.

I really like those buildings. Yes, they are in a sad state of decoration but I like the form of them. Those shallow arched roofs (bowstring trussed) are very much part of older Cork architecture and part of the character of Cork. We lost a lovely one (in good repair and condition) in Emmet place a few years ago when the Johnson and Perrot building was demolished to make way for the incredibly soulless and bland "opera Lane" outdoor shopping mall.

I've no particular beef with what is going in there and if Rhys' post is accurate I lament the loss of the pitched roof sheds but am glad that the "god awful tin can sheds" will remain - hopefully to be refurbished and given a proper use.

phatmanwc · 26-02-2014 4:26pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

It's certainly more grey. Framing my ass. Ask yourself does that picture look better with or without that building?

If this were the only view to be considered, you might have a point, since you can't actually see the existing 'sheds' from this location.

Either way, the development will be far more obvious, and far more frequently seen from the Lapp's Quay area, and like I stated, while not perfect, I think it will be a vast improvement on what's there. Just my opinion.

I honestly can't see the architectural or aesthetic value of the existing buildings, which honestly look appalling to me. Maybe if they were in another location, there might be merit in preserving or renovating them (for instance, I would much rather see the bonded warehouses on Custom House Quay retained and renovated), but it's eyesores like these in prime locations that tend to lend Cork a somewhat shabby appearance/feeling at times.

I just think the opportunity to develop this site, and potentially bolster the local economy, shouldn't be missed at this time; Cork didn't benefit from any significant development in the City Centre/Docklands during the boom times, despite all the plans, so I'm not going to be one to be overly picky if a developer is confident enough to proceed with a development of this scale...:D

BUNK1982 · 26-02-2014 5:45pm

Whatever about the architectural merits of this project - development in the city centre has to be welcomed.

Michael.. · 03-03-2014 3:26pm

BUNK1982 wrote: »

Whatever about the architectural merits of this project - development in the city centre has to be welcomed.

Absolutely !!

Whatever people may thing about the design of contemporary office blocks, Cork City badly needs this.

We need to get people back into the city or else it'll die a death. There has been too much emphasis on out of city development.

This will hopefully bring an extra 2000 people into the city every day. Good for business and good for the city.

whisky_galore · 03-03-2014 4:03pm

zetalambda wrote: »

The IDA are saying that a lack of suitable office space in Cork, Dublin & Galway city centers is proving a barrier to foreign companies who want set up here. In a BBC radio interview a few weeks ago, Owen O' Callaghan said he is to resume development of new office space in the city center shortly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03qflj0

What do you think of this office development planned for the old tax office? Certainly looks better than the Albert Quay project.

Looks like an overgrown cd rack tbh. Won't improve with age.

whisky_galore · 03-03-2014 4:10pm

zetalambda wrote: »

Looks terrible alright.

The sheds to the lhs are empty afaik, the garish signage makes the others more crappy looking than they actually are. The sheds by the Custom House across the way look fit to fall down.

calnand · 03-03-2014 5:39pm

Makes for a nice photo though.

A22648F5E2184AFC931ED096808D2F1B-0000353802-0003512347-00800L-B5A3E9A916B54C02A10B7B33B4D73464.jpg

who_me · 03-03-2014 7:55pm

Any new development in the city IS really positive and appreciated. It may even help kick-start the docklands redevelopment. (It'd be great too if they could clean up the quayside on that side of the river, add a cafe or stalls etc.) It's just a pity that it often seems to come with a downside, and obviously when it's jobs vs anything, the jobs argument inevitably wins.

The building doesn't look bad from the front, but from other elevations it's just another big, bland box. Probably with air-conditioning units on the roof to make it uglier still. That's the problem I have with a lot of the newer buildings. They're just big cuboids with no features. Bland glass 'n' cladding surfaces with no details to catch the eye. No arches or recessed windows to add some shadow or shape. No gabled roofs or dormer windows to add something to the city's roofscape. Just big (usually, too big) bland boxes.

I've been following the developments and proposals on an architecture forum for some time, and some of the proposals for Cork were crazy. Building on bridges. Building in the middle of the river! Building a tall tower on the Custom House Quay (don't know how they'd squeeze that in). Building apartment blocks with fire-escapes for stairwells (to maximise the apartments they could fit into a tiny site). I think we have to have some kind of reign on what's built and isn't.

Lambofdave · 03-03-2014 8:03pm

Is there not a hotel to be part of the Sullivan Quay development?

vince · 03-03-2014 8:05pm

So is it the 5 story narrow building or the 8 story wider building we're getting

Albert Quay - New Development

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