Going, going, gone. Cork says goodbye to the former tax office

AFTER almost 40 years appearing as a dominant feature overlooking Cork's city centre the former Government Buildings and tax office on Sullivan's Quay has been demolished.

Work has taken place steadily in recent weeks by O'Kelly Bros removing sections of the buildings with the site reduced to a large mound of rubble.

Construction firm Bam want to clear the site and build Cork's largest hotel.

Two new buildings will be constructed on the site, including a hotel which will range in height from six to 12 storeys, including a cylindrical tower on the corner of Sullivan’s Quay and Meade Street.

The development, which is still awaiting final planning approval, also involves 7,800 square metres of office space. Bam has said that once completed, the four-star, 220-bed hotel will be operated by a “premium international hotel brand”.

The building will have a ground-floor bar, restaurant and retail area, with first-floor conference and meeting facilities, and a gym on the ninth floor.

In 2008, the Revenue Commissioners sold their former offices and moved to new premises in Blackpool on Assumption Road.

The building was subsequently used by arts students from the Crawford College and as a gallery space before demolition work finally began in March.

The development on Sullivan's Quay is one of a number of new hotel projects in Cork. Construction work is underway on a new Maldron Hotel facing the South Mall and Parnell Place. The Metropole on MacCurtain street also have plans for a major redevelopment of their property.

Located in the South Parish part of the city, the Sullivan's Quay development is located close to the former Beamish & Crawford brewery site where Bam is currently building new student apartments and where the new Events Centre is to be located.

Last year also saw the completion of the Nano Nagle Place centre in South Parish while further development of the Elizabeth Fort attraction is set to take place over the coming months and years.