Application lodged with Cork City Council for massive Mahon Point development 

A 10-year planning application has been lodged with Cork City Council for a mixed-use development at Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

The application, submitted to the local authority by DIE Ireland ICAV, is seeking a mixed-use development across seven blocks, comprising of residential and retail units, alongside a childcare facility and community amenities.

The proposed development, spanning 77,767sq m, will comprise of 251 residential units, incorporating 92 one-bedroom apartments, 99 two-bedroom apartments, 46 three-bedroom apartments, and 14 four-bedroom apartments.

The plans will also provide for public and private open spaces, with recreational amenities and play areas; a creche, comprising of 64 child spaces; one commercial unit; a management suite; and two restaurant/cafe units. Provisions will also be made for enhanced pedestrian and cycle access to surrounding developments, to the north and west of the development.

Demand-led

When the plans were initially announced for Mahon Point 2.0 in June, centre director at Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Justin Young, described it as a “demand-led expansion that enhances Mahon for everyone, and looks forward to the next 20 years”.

“By placing homes, sustainable transport, and civic amenities at the core of this vision, we hope to create a new chapter in Cork’s growth that reflects community values as much as economic ambition,” he added.

The plans for the development state that it will be divided into blocks A, B, C, D, E, G, and H.

Blocks A and B will range in height from five to six storeys; blocks C and D will range in height from four to six storeys; and block E, containing 6,434sq m of office floor space, will reach five storeys.

A basement car park, with an access ramp at block A, containing 124 car parking spaces, is proposed to serve blocks A, B, C, D, and E.

Retail floorspace

Block G will comprise of additional retail floorspace, with a new food store of 2,040sq m, retail warehouse unit of 3,420sq m, restaurant/cafe floor space of 456sq m; and a leisure centre/gym of 537sq m.

The proposed car parking for the shopping centre extension and development comprises of a total of 125 additional spaces as a result of a loss of existing spaces to accommodate the development.

The proposed multi-storey car park, accessed from a ramp to the north of block G, includes the provision of cycle parking, storage, and cycle servicing station, located within a designated mobility hub, also within block G.

Block H will be an extension to the existing shopping centre, which comprises of 10,974sq m, to include 259sq m of restaurant/cafe floor space, and 178sq m of retail services.

Cork City Council is due to make a decision on the planning application, which is at the pre-validation stage, by September 2.