DEVELOPER John Cleary hopes the company’s planned new residential development on Albert Quay will help address housing shortages in the city.

The head of the JCD Group has been responsible for a number of office space developments around the city in recent years and says housing issues are a growing concern.

“We are very excited to be progressing this proposed residential scheme given the constant feedback we are receiving from our multinational clients in relation to their concerns at the lack of suitable residential accommodation available for their employees,” he said. 

“It's been almost 12 years since the last new city centre apartment scheme of scale was completed in Cork and given the ongoing momentum we are witnessing in the office sector, should the residential schemes not be brought forward, the ongoing development of the city centre will be compromised.”

JCD’s proposals are for a large-scale residential “build-to-rent” scheme on the Carey’s Tool Hire site at the entrance to the Docklands, extending from Albert Road along Albert Street, fronting Albert Quay. 

It includes the former Sextant Bar and a former railway terminus.

201 apartments - a mixture of one, two and three-bed- are included in the plans which comprise three distinct parts - the restored railway house and terminus buildings leading onto a large public plaza; two lower residential blocks and a proposed 25-storey landmark tower. 

Were it to be built tomorrow, the tower would be the largest building in the state, although there are taller developments in the works.

The proposed structure joins plans for a number of other skyscraper developments around Cork, including the 15-storey Prism building on Clontarf Street and a 25-storey residential tower at Jacob’s Island in Mahon. 

The Prism developers also have plans for another tall building in the Docklands, at the Port of Cork Customs House Quay site.

The developers say this project will complement other developments that have transformed the area, including the Elysian, One Albert Quay and Navigation Square. The planning application will be made directly to An Bord Pleaneála under the Strategic Housing Development guidelines.

On-site amenities will include a 25th floor residents’ lounge and dining area, residents’ gym, coworking space and a basement with spaces for both cars and bikes. Provision will also be made for electric car charging points as well as GoCar facilities.

Cork Chamber of Commerce hopes the ‘very much welcome’ development would be the first of many in the city.

“The delivery of new apartments in Cork city is the number one priority for business right now," CEO Conor Healy said. “Cork’s Docklands is in the midst of a total transformation and as we lay the foundations of a growing city it is essential that attractive accommodation is planned close to where people work.” 

“This development is amongst the most exciting on a prime site in the heart of the city," Tánaiste Simon Coveney added. "I look forward to seeing this building, just like Cork, on the rise.”