180-bed hotel proposed for Cork city centre

A planning application for a new 180 bed hotel close to the south docklands in Cork city centre has been lodged.

The development, if granted permission, will see the demolition and removal of existing structures, described as “vacant commercial buildings” and the construction of a hotel at Lower Oliver Plunkett St, and Connell St.

The hotel will range in height from five to 10 storeys above ground level and comprise 180 bed spaces, a gym, reception area, kitchen, and a breakfast/dining area.

The planning permission also consists of associated ancillary development works, including an ESB sub-station, plant/tanks at basement level, and plant/external pumps at roof level. The planning application has been lodged by StarStone Property Group, who have undertaken many large scale projects across Ireland including office, residential, retail, and short term accommodation developments.

The Cork application is currently at the pre-validation stage, and a decision by council on the development is due by May 21 this year.

The hotel would sit at 1 Connell St, formerly home to a garage and a warehouse building, but both are now vacant and the building has fallen into disrepair.

It is one of the only low height buildings in the part of town it occupies, at the junction of Connell St and Oliver Plunkett St. It is bordered by multiple office buildings, and across the street from where the 15-storey Prism building was meant to be built. The Prism development is currently stalled due to a reduced need for office space following the pandemic, with an application for a five year extension to the planning permission recently turned down by Cork City Council.