Awards highlight how Cork is building a better and brighter future

More than 10 Cork buildings were recognised at this year’s Better Building Awards ceremony.

The event, held yesterday at the Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain St, saw 13 buildings in the city recognised across 10 categories.

The awards, organised by the Cork Business Association in partnership with Cork City Council, aim to recognise excellence in the care, presentation, and enhancement of Cork’s built environment, from heritage sites to new developments.

This year, 10 buildings were honoured with category title awards, while three were recognised with special merit awards.

True vision

Speaking at the ceremony, Dave O’Brien, president of the Cork Business Association, said the awards recognise those who have “shown true vision in how they build, modernise, and maintain their properties”.

He added: “For over 60 years, the Cork Business Association has proudly represented the interests of our members, and the Better Building Awards have become a favourite fixture in our calendar. These awards mean so much to those who are nominated and shortlisted.

“Maintaining and presenting these buildings at their best takes significant time, effort, and financial commitment. Today, we celebrate those who have shown true vision in how they build, modernise, and maintain their properties.”

Among the buildings that received category title awards were the Metropole Hotel, which received the Judge’s Choice award; Bakestone on Perry St, which received the Best Tourism and Arts award; Planet Beauty by Brown Thomas, which received the Best Retail award; Mantra on Princes St, which received the Best Cafe/Restaurant award; and Pier Head in Blackrock, which received the Best Pub Front award.

Other category title winners were the Le Chéile Building at the MTU Learning Resource Centre, which received the Best New Development award; Kuma Bikes on MacCurtain St, which received the Best Commercial Premises award; the Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence on Pearse Rd, which received the Best Climate Resilience award; Springville House in Blackrock, which received the Best City Living award; and the Cork Public Museum in Fitzgerald Park, which received the Heritage, Conservation and Sustainability award.

The three buildings that received special merit awards were Here’s Health on Oliver Plunkett St, recognised in the Best Retail category; Cora Murphy of 42 Douglas St, recognised in the Best City Living category; and Nadur Deli at Nano Nagle Place, recognised in the Heritage, Conservation and Sustainability category.