New images show BAM's student apartment plan on Cork's Sullivan's Quay

Computer-generated images of what will fill the void on Sullivan’s Quay, Cork city, since the former tax office was demolished in 2019, have been revealed.

The images of two distinctive blocks, ranging in height from five to 11 storeys, are based on a design by Reddy Architecture + Urbanism. The buildings will house 503 students if Cork City Council gives developer BAM the go-ahead for the large-scale purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

The proposed development provides for 67 apartments, ranging in size from four to eight beds with associated tenant amenity facilities, including a landscaped internal courtyard, a gym, an entertainment room and student hub.

The proposals should also benefit the surrounding streets as the plans provide for public realm upgrades on Sullivan’s Quay, Drinan St, Cove St and Meade St.

BAM lodged the application for the new student accommodation on Friday, 20 years after buying the almost one-acre site from the Revenue Commissioners. They subsequently sought permission for a 183-bed hotel, including a 10-storey cylindrical tower, but the project was shelved due to the financial crash. 

Ten years later, they were given permission for another mixed-use development, including a 193-bed hotel with a 12-storey cylindrical tower, but that also failed to go ahead, after the tax office was demolished in 2019. The site has been held up as an eyesore for several years and is surrounded by hoarding.

The latest proposal for student accommodation follows a trend in the city for building purpose-built student beds in recent years. One such scheme – 420-bed Leepoint - was completed by BAM in 2020 on the former Beamish & Crawford brewery site on South Main St, where millions have been invested in ongoing public realm upgrades. 

Others include €35m Bróga House on the site of the former Square Deal Furniture Store on Washington St/Western Road and Ashlin House on Bandon Road, which, between them, added 832 student beds in the city in 2022/2023. 

UCC's Crow's Nest development at Victoria Cross added another 255, while Bottleworks, the largest PBSA in the city, added 623 beds in 2024. 

BAM's decision to apply to build more student accommodation in the city comes despite recent revelations that UCC has put a flagship city centre business campus plan on hold indefinitely, after spending €17m on the South Terrace/Brooks Haughton site, and millions more on planning and design.