The old Capitol Cinema

Flipper · 29-12-2011 4:07pm #1

Anyone have any idea what's going on with it? Who owns it?

EDIT: I mean the Capital Cinema

Corkfeen · 29-12-2011 4:30pm

There was some development plan, no idea if any further plans have been made...
http://www.irish-architecture.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7565

JohnMearsheimer · 29-12-2011 5:22pm

I think there were plans to put a shopping centre on the site but that's not likely to happen now. I hope they do something there soon, it's a shame to see such a great site idle.

wheresmybeaver · 30-12-2011 1:25am

I believe the developer in question can no longer raise the funds to redevelop the site (banks won't lend) so the plan is on hiatus for retooling. The redevelopment includes a large block of the surrounding buildings on grand parade too. They should move the haunted house to there for next Halloween!

rcdk1 · 30-12-2011 10:16am

In 2005 an Application for Planning Permission was made (and subsequently withdrawn) by "Mount Kenneth Investment Co & John Costello" which stated that they were in the process of purchasing the site from "Granada Properties & Capitol (Cork) Ltd"

A second application was made in 2008 by Padlake Ltd (Directors: Michael Cahill & Noel Crowley) which is listed as the owner of the site. Attached is the Manager's Order (?) from March 2009 granting Planning Permission for:

a mixed use infill development at No.s 14-20 Grand Parade, No.s 55-57 St. Patricks Street and Market Lane, Cork City. The proposed development will constitute the provision of a mixed use development incorporating retail and office use, and the demolition of (i) Nos 14 and 15 Grand Parade, (ii) The Captiol Cinema Building (no.16 -20 Grand Parade), (iii) Nos 55, 55A, 56, and 57 St Patricks Street (with the retention and refurbishment of facades onto St Patrick's Street) and (iv) the Vineyard Bar, Market Lane. The proposed mixed use development will be 4 stories above ground level in height and will provide 3 basement levels. Ground, First and Second floors will consist of retail use with set back third floor in office use. The lowest basement level will be used for housing, plant and retail use and the two basement levels over will provide for retail use. In total the proposed development will provide 8,410.9sq.m gross retail floor space and 1,419.5sq.m gross office floor space. The proposed development will also include the provision of an ESB substation, circulation space, plant rooms and all ancillary site works

BTW, this is all public info found on Cork City Council's Planning Enquiry System.

Oafley Jones · 31-12-2011 11:15am

I don't know why they don't reopen the cinema and make some money out of the site. Unless the place has completely fallen apart I can't imagine it costing that much. The city centre could do with a decent cinema at the moment. Irelands first Imax if they really wanted to do it right.

EyeSight · 31-12-2011 3:16pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I don't know why they don't reopen the cinema and make some money out of the site. Unless the place has completely fallen apart I can't imagine it costing that much. The city centre could do with a decent cinema at the moment. Irelands first Imax if they really wanted to do it right.

the gate is on north main street??

i don't think the city is big enough for 2 cinemas

evilivor · 31-12-2011 5:45pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

The city centre could do with a decent cinema at the moment. Irelands first Imax if they really wanted to do it right.

Ireland had an Imax cinema. It was in Dublin and it closed down nearly 12 years ago.

Owen · 31-12-2011 6:46pm

I really like the proposed development idea, 3 underground floors with shopping on all 3, and another 4 floors on top of that too? Plus the commitment to renew the existing facade on Patrick Street which really works well - Dunnes did an excellent refurb on their shop.

The Capitol had really gone downhill as a cinema, most of the screens had speakers which were intermittent - they'd drive you crazy watching a movie with the speaker cutting in and out all the time. I mentioned it to staff there several times over the course of a year and nothing was ever done.

Oafley Jones · 31-12-2011 7:02pm

EyeSight wrote: »

the gate is on north main street??

i don't think the city is big enough for 2 cinemas

The gate is why I included the word decent. Didn't realise that we had IMAX in the country before, but given the new output from mainstream cinema I'm sure there would be interest in the format again.

TheMutations · 31-12-2011 7:17pm

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I don't know why they don't reopen the cinema and make some money out of the site. Unless the place has completely fallen apart I can't imagine it costing that much. The city centre could do with a decent cinema at the moment. Irelands first Imax if they really wanted to do it right.

The Capitol site can never be used as a cinema again, due to legal stipulations put in place when the current owners bought the site off the previous owners. The previous owners, Ward-Anderson, opened the cinema in Mahon Point; and are protecting their market share by eliminating a potential competitor.

Herb Powell · 01-01-2012 1:40am

Turn it into large concert venue
#winning

rcdk1 · 01-01-2012 1:17pm

TheMutations wrote: »

The Capitol site can never be used as a cinema again, due to legal stipulations put in place when the current owners bought the site off the previous owners. The previous owners, Ward-Anderson, opened the cinema in Mahon Point; and are protecting their market share by eliminating a potential competitor.

Interesting.

Although somewhat out of date, this web page and in particular the last paragraph may be of interest: http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/places/grandparade/capitolcinema/

rebel.ranter · 01-01-2012 3:35pm

I remember the first time I was allowed into town on my own going to see Batman in the newly refurbished Capitol. I was only in the old cinema once, I remember it being massive, I think it was a film about apartheid or something.

Roar · 04-01-2012 2:47pm

I'd love to go in there now for a nose around. It'd be pretty cool to see what if anything from the cinema remains (seats, bits of projectors, reels of film etc)... I reckon the atmosphere alone would be incredible...

Milly33 · 09-05-2012 3:18pm

We were just talking about this the other night, they should defo re-open it..It would be fantastic. The waste so much money building new buildings and then leaving the old beautiful ones go to the pots... I would love to get a looksie in there again to see what it is like now..

I remember one of the cinema rooms was huge me and my friends male I shall say went to see the spice girls we were the only ones there but we had so much fun just to be there.. Great spot shame to see if locked up

Michael.. · 20-03-2015 8:08pm

Great news.

http://www.thejournal.ie/cork-capitol-cinema-plans-2002589-Mar2015/?fb_ref=Default

ofcork · 21-03-2015 8:38pm

Looks like there will be a wider lane running down off Patrick st than the one that's there at the moment.

thomil · 21-03-2015 10:16pm

Looks like it, it will certainly be more apparent and inviting, the current lane looks like you're about to walk into a third-rate horror film when you walk past. As far as the rest of the plans are concerned, it looks like a great concept. A bit understated, but that's what the area calls for in my opinion.

Frog Song · 23-03-2015 1:16pm

Michael.. wrote: »

Great news.

http://www.thejournal.ie/cork-capitol-cinema-plans-2002589-Mar2015/?fb_ref=Default

Brilliant, it will give the place a badly needed face lift. Looks great.

overmantle · 23-03-2015 2:48pm

I saw the plans and it looks amazing. I just wonder though, if it will just mean that some other units will end up closing down? There is only so much demand for retail space in the city centre, you would imagine.

thomil · 23-03-2015 3:08pm

I may be mistaken, but I remember reading somewhere that there is actually a shortage of large retail spaces in the city centre. Sure, there are a lot of small spaces available, but nothing for larger stores, plus the condition those small spaces are in is another matter entirely. Meadows & Byrne recently announced that they would concentrate on larger stores, I think that was discussed in another thread. I could totally see them move into the new complex from their present store at Emmet Place, which is rumoured to be taken over by Nando's, anyway.

ofcork · 23-03-2015 3:10pm

Meadows and byrne are not taking any space in the city afaik,you wonder in a few years would some retail space end up as white elephants.

evilivor · 23-03-2015 3:13pm

thomil wrote: »

I may be mistaken, but I remember reading somewhere that there is actually a shortage of large retail spaces in the city centre. Sure, there are a lot of small spaces available, but nothing for larger stores, plus the condition those small spaces are in is another matter entirely. Meadows & Byrne recently announced that they would concentrate on larger stores, I think that was discussed in another thread. I could totally see them move into the new complex from their present store at Emmet Place, which is rumoured to be taken over by Nando's, anyway.

Meadow's and Byrne are concentrating on their Mahon Point store - Nando's are taking over their store on Academy Street.

Milly33 · 23-03-2015 6:22pm

saw the plans for it and I can saw Id be too impressed. The seem to just want to put more of the same old thing in there. Shame on them I really do think it would fantastic to bring back the old cinema or do something like this there. Who wants another top shop or restaurant they are dime a dozen in town

pwurple · 24-03-2015 7:33am

No demand for another cinema in the city center. There are already three in there.

It doesn't have to be topshop, i'd be hoping for some local shops to go in there, maybe new ones starting up if they can price it right. It will certainly be 100 times better than what is there now, and i'm delighted the facade is not all glass! Love the awnings.

Oafley Jones · 24-03-2015 9:14am

pwurple wrote: »

No demand for another cinema in the city center. There are already three in there.

It doesn't have to be topshop, i'd be hoping for some local shops to go in there, maybe new ones starting up if they can price it right. It will certainly be 100 times better than what is there now, and i'm delighted the facade is not all glass! Love the awnings.

Isn't it being developed as a foody type centre to accompany the market? I think the design is really good. What's there is an absolute eyesore, even when it was redeveloped in 88ish, it wasn't going to win any awards. And it's been untouched since. It was my absolute last choice to go to as a cinema as well. It was grubby and a fecking warren inside.

Loire · 24-03-2015 10:10am

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Isn't it being developed as a foody type centre to accompany the market? I think the design is really good. What's there is an absolute eyesore, even when it was redeveloped in 88ish, it wasn't going to win any awards. And it's been untouched since. It was my absolute last choice to go to as a cinema as well. It was grubby and a fecking warren inside.

In fairness, it was greeeaat for the ole shift though

:pac:

I'm a little pessimistic about it I must say. I'm all for redevelopment but I'm with Milly on this one...I think it will be just a town-based Mahon Point with UK multiples, but I hope I proved wrong. To make any sort of return on the investment, the rents would have to be quite high I would imagine, which would be out of the range for local / start ups. I would love to see this area be an "Arty Quarter" given it's proximity to the English Market....but where's the money in that?

Again, I hope I'm wrong!

Loire

whisky_galore · 24-03-2015 12:21pm

Milly33 wrote: »

saw the plans for it and I can saw Id be too impressed. The seem to just want to put more of the same old thing in there. Shame on them I really do think it would fantastic to bring back the old cinema or do something like this there. Who wants another top shop or restaurant they are dime a dozen in town

The Capitol was a bland, ugly building, with all the visual appeal of a bomb shelter.

And at least the new building should age well and won't be a monstrosity with acres of glazing like elsewhere. Think Cork is too small for an additional cinema anyway, what with all the competition from the likes of downloading, netflicks etc.

Milly33 · 24-03-2015 1:14pm

shame on you whiskey shame. The old cinema was not it was dated grand by the time it closed. But imagine if you brought it back to old school days... It would be fecking magical so it would. Red carpet, gold chains to let the crowds in. Some nice basics popcorn, cokes.

What three Cinemas in town I would class Blackpool as town. I know of the one the gate which is just shocking and should be closed down..

really cant believe people want more shops and food places

KCAccidental · 24-03-2015 1:54pm

you have the triskel as well. I have no idea where the third one is though.

whisky_galore · 24-03-2015 1:56pm

Milly33 wrote: »

shame on you whiskey shame. The old cinema was not it was dated grand by the time it closed. But imagine if you brought it back to old school days...

All I remember were the sticky floors in the place.

Frog Song · 24-03-2015 2:01pm

I think we're looking back on the Capitol with rose tinted glasses. It was a kip.

BUNK1982 · 24-03-2015 2:13pm

Isn't the new development is designed to fit in with the English Market - a food innovation centre and self catering apartments?

I think that is a great idea - with the convention centre across the road, it will really help Cork gain a reputation as a destination city.

calnand · 24-03-2015 2:29pm

They have plans in the complete brewery quarter for a cinema so I doubt anyone else will try to build a new one. At first I was a bit hesitant of the design of the building but I'm starting to kinda like it now, Patrick's street is such a mix match of different building facades it was always going to be difficult to just copy and paste a facade onto the new building. It has to stand out from the other buildings in its own way like Brown Thomas, Debenhams and a few others.

What would be nice is for some shops that are already in the City Centre to upgrade and get a bigger store in the new building, so that hopefully it becomes a mix of new shops with already established shops. This would then allow smaller, newer shops to possibly take over the now vacant stores in the city. It's all hopeful and it's going to be interesting to see how it pans out.

It would be nice for more apartments in the city centre, but I don't think the location would suit it. The building in an infill site with limited street frontage which face onto two of Cork's main streets and an entrance to underground parking would take away from the building.

Milly33 · 24-03-2015 2:39pm

whisky_galore wrote: »

All I remember were the sticky floors in the place.

No your thinking of the nightclubs like the pav and that in town and sr henrys haha

The Peanut · 24-03-2015 3:10pm

Milly33 wrote: »

No your thinking of the nightclubs like the pav and that in town and sr henrys haha

I can remember sticky floors covered in popcorn; they never seemed to clean properly between screenings.

It's great that there is finally something proactive being done with the place. Will hopefully be a great addition to the city.

whisky_galore · 24-03-2015 3:49pm

The Peanut wrote: »

I can remember sticky floors covered in popcorn; they never seemed to clean properly between screenings.

Yeah, it's not as if all the celebs and glitteratti flocked to it on the night of a premiere, as stated above, it was a complete kip!

Going Strong · 24-03-2015 3:53pm

The smaller cinemas in The Capitol were plagued with roof leaks as well. I certainly recall being in there watching a film while water plip-plopped into a bucket.

D'Agger · 25-03-2015 12:16pm

Am I right in saying planning hasn't been submitted so we don't know when this project will be starting?

Would love to see a Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme go in there....Cork needs a doughnut spot!

calnand · 25-03-2015 2:41pm

Looks like the application was submitted Friday. I miss the doughnuts that were sold from the gingerbread house, nothing like Dunkin Donuts though, my friend worked there when we were on a J1 and you think you would eventually get tired of doughnuts but you don't.

whisky_galore · 25-03-2015 4:14pm

calnand wrote: »

Looks like the application was submitted Friday. I miss the doughnuts that were sold from the gingerbread house, nothing like Dunkin Donuts though, my friend worked there when we were on a J1 and you think you would eventually get tired of doughnuts but you don't.

No wonder some Yanks are the size that they are.

pwurple · 25-03-2015 4:38pm

calnand wrote: »

you think you would eventually get tired of doughnuts but you don't.

I think I saw in some C4 type 'documentary' that glazed american donuts are fairly perfect in their fat/sugar ratio. It's one of the easiest things to over-eat. Your body just thinks they are a golden food to be stockpiled.

lisasimpson · 25-03-2015 8:29pm

I like the look of the plan thank god not another plan glass front building... also like the fact food feature as part of the plan keeping with the theme of the English market. hopefully it will make that part of town a bit more inviting.

lisasimpson · 28-03-2015 9:41am

Actually what would be nice in there would be a section supporting local artist/craft work. The English Market is one of the main tourist attractions in town and section like that would tap into that market

leahyl · 28-03-2015 5:26pm

I'd love it if it was just an extension of the English market and if they had a massive food market with every type of food imaginable - I remember going to this food market in the basement of a big dept store in San Francisco and it was all fresh and locally made/grown produce - bakery, fruit and veg, a hot counter where you could buy sonething tasty for lunch but it wasnt a run of the mill supermarket; it was amazing, I wanted to buy everything! Would be great for local food businesses too.

mire · 29-03-2015 9:49am

lisasimpson wrote: »

Actually what would be nice in there would be a section supporting local artist/craft work. The English Market is one of the main tourist attractions in town and section like that would tap into that market

What do you mean by a section supporting local artist/craft work?

pwurple · 29-03-2015 11:26am

mire wrote: »

What do you mean by a section supporting local artist/craft work?

Probably means like the section in douglas village shopping center next to M&S?

Bacchus · 29-03-2015 5:13pm

As well as just a Douglas Village SC type area for local crafts that are not big enough to support their own store front on their own, I think it'd be great to have a focus local traders and businesses in the new development - and not just fill it with the likes of Top Shop, Zara, Coast etc.

I really like the extension of the English Market idea too where there is a food section to it. Something like what they have with Harrods in London would be cool.

flo8s967qjh0nd · 02-04-2015 2:45pm

leahyl wrote: »

I'd love it if it was just an extension of the English market and if they had a massive food market with every type of food imaginable - I remember going to this food market in the basement of a big dept store in San Francisco and it was all fresh and locally made/grown produce - bakery, fruit and veg, a hot counter where you could buy sonething tasty for lunch but it wasnt a run of the mill supermarket; it was amazing, I wanted to buy everything! Would be great for local food businesses too.

What? You mean EXACTLY like the current English Market?
'Extending' the market would be a very risky strategy - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It seems like the perfect size as it is. Regardless, I don't think that's what is planned here. Seems like something to complement the market and not extend.

Overall, a very nice design and an improvement on current condition and previous designs for the site.

leahyl · 02-04-2015 2:59pm

Apollo Immense Tremor wrote: »

What? You mean EXACTLY like the current English Market?
'Extending' the market would be a very risky strategy - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It seems like the perfect size as it is. Regardless, I don't think that's what is planned here. Seems like something to complement the market and not extend.

Overall, a very nice design and an improvement on current condition and previous designs for the site.

Just an idea. What do you think they should do with it?

The old Capitol Cinema

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