Works on major redevelopment of Cork’s South Docks to get underway with demolition of R&H buildings

Preliminary site works to facilitate the major redevelopment of Kennedy Quay in the city’s South Docks will commence by the end of the month, with the initial work set to include the demolition of R&H silos.

The O'Callaghan Properties project comprises around one million sq ft of development to include residential, office space, a new rehabilitation hospital and other uses.

The initial work on site will involve the relocation of all public utilities, the expert demolition of the R&H silos and the salvaging of sections of industrial heritage.

Due to the design and structural impediments and reasons of deterioration, it was not found possible to conserve or to safely re-purpose the buildings.

The same was not true of the older Odlums Mills building, further eastward on Kennedy Quay, which is to be restored and reimagined with retail, café, residential and office uses.

O'Callaghan Properties said the R&H buildings will be replaced by a “new sustainable landmark building that occupies the same footprint, making reference in its design to the industrial characteristics of the silos”.

Conservation process

The company said that, as part of the demolition process, it has embarked on a “comprehensive archaeological recording and conservation process” with respect to the historic industrial machinery within the R&H Hall complex.

This work is being carried out under the guidance of Dr Colin Rynne, director of the historic building survey unit at UCC’s department of archaeology.

The recording process precedes the dismantling, conservation and display of key examples of the silos’ industrial fabric.

The approach and work has also been guided by heritage conservation specialists, Southgate Associates, and through continuing discourse with Cork City Council’s heritage and archaeology officers.

The recording, conservation and demolition process is anticipated to take six months.

The safe dismantling of many of the items to a storage facility will take place prior to their re-installation in parts of the Kennedy Quay project.

O'Callaghan Properties said understanding of the landmark buildings will be made possible through the reinstatement of existing grain hoppers from the building into one of the new buildings, Block C3.

Here there will be a recreation of a portion of the silo structure within the reception area.

It is also planned to dismantle and preserve one of the rare and significant grain drying and conditioning machines.

“This has been a three year process to date”, said Dr Colin Rynne.

“This scale of 3D recording of everything in the building through laser scanning and photogrammetry is ground breaking in terms of industrial archaeological monitoring.

“The conservation of historic industrial machinery is very welcome, and is not usual in this country, unfortunately. 

“Much of our historic industrial machinery and artefacts have been lost”.

The methodology to be employed in the recording, dismantling and proposed display of selected pieces of original machinery and plant is under the supervision of Dr Rynne and conservation engineer and heritage specialist, Chris Southgate.

“While we are losing an industrial structure which has dominated Cork’s skyline for 90 years, we are not losing the special atmosphere of the area, with the active retention and reuse of the most significant industrial elements from within the building,” Mr Southgate said.

“The aim is both to actively save this memory of Cork’s industrial and maritime history, while also creating a place which is good for people to live in, to feel a sense of belonging, inclusion and identity rooted in the past.”

South Docks redevelopment to create 'economic vibrancy'

Managing director of O’Callaghan Properties, Brian O’Callaghan, said the company’s approach has been informed by a respectful understanding of the history of the area and the role it has played in the social and industrial heritage of the city.

“That history was never static, but instead continually evolved and changed across maritime, heavy industry, manufacturing and milling activities, each sector leaving a mark on the area.

“The disappearance of much of this sectoral activity has not been without negative impact either, with significant dereliction and physical disconnection from the life of the city centre being the obvious consequence.

“Cork’s South Docks will be very different from what has gone before.

“The new development is very different from what has gone before. It will create economic vibrancy, amenity and community.

“As a company, we are very pleased to be involved in this ambitious and transformational project”, he said.

O’Callaghan Properties said it is also exploring opportunities with the National Sculpture Factory to re-purpose in various art forms the residual elements of the dismantled drier and its various components.