'Good news for Cork': Hundreds of apartments to be built at Sextant site

THE developers behind a major build at the site of the former Sextant bar on Albert Quay have reverted to their original vision to develop apartments at the location, in a move that has been welcomed as “good news for Cork”.

Developers Progressive Commercial Construction Limited, part of the JCD Group, had submitted a Strategic Housing Development application (SHD) for the development of more than 200 ‘build-to-rent’ apartments at the site, which was green lit by An Bord Pleanála in 2020.

However, following the demolition of the Sextant, the group said it was not financially viable to go through with the original plan.

It subsequently lodged a separate planning application with Cork City Council and was granted permission to develop an office scheme at the site instead.

But now, citing recent measures to improve viability of housing construction, the developers are progressing with a residential development.

JCD group is now conducting initial enabling works “to help complete the detailed design and costings for the structure of the permitted apartment development” where the Sextant and Carey Tool Hire used to be located before the latter’s move.

Ground works currently being undertaken involve the installation of test piles on the site.

“We are very focused on delivering apartments on the site and are engaging with the relevant stakeholders to progress the project.

“The development of apartments was our original vision for the site, and it is very positive to see government policy now supporting the delivery of high quality apartments in prime city centre locations.

“There is an urgent need for the development of apartments in Cork city to support the ongoing growth of the city,” a spokesperson for JCD Group said.

'Super addition'

Welcoming the decision to progress a residential development at the site, Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill said he believes the scheme will be a “super addition” to the city.

“I wish the building a speedy progress,” he added.

Independent councillor Mick Finn said, while he believed the former Sextant bar could have been preserved as part of any new development, the residential scheme is to be welcomed.

“The fact that this development is returning to residential development, as first mooted but later changed, has to be good news for Cork… it wasn't viable to develop residential there previously, now it is so credit to the policy makers for making that happen.

“The pedestrian traffic to the new buildings that have popped up along the gateway to Docklands, on Georges Quay and surrounding streets, has breathed new life into a once quite derelict area - the removal of which I certainly do not bemoan - and this development will do likewise: the city is moving east and when other Docklands housing and recreational developments kick off, alongside the continued development of Marina Park etc, I think it's going to be the go-to part of our city and something we will all be proud of,” he continued.

The SHD application approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2020 proposed the construction of 201 ‘build-to-rent’ apartments in a building that ranges in height from eight to 11 to 24 storeys over ground floor.

It also included proposals for a ground floor café, amenity areas and the provision of 402 bicycle spaces and 62 car parking spaces at basement levels, as well as the reuse and renovation of the former Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway offices, and former Blackrock and Passage Railway terminus ticket office.

These latter structures had been proposed to be retained and initially reused as a temporary construction compound for the proposed development and then refurbished as part of the proposed development for a private rented office and public bar or restaurant use, respectively.

It is believed that, while there may have to be some minor alterations to the proposed development to comply with updated regulations, the overall height and scale of the development will go ahead as proposed.