The roof terrace of the new JCD apartment building on the Sextant site. Pic by G-Net 3D

A planning application for apartments on the former Sextant bar site has been lodged

The planning application for the large-scale apartment building on the former Sextant bar site has been lodged.

The view of the new JCD apartment building on the Sextant site. Pic by G-Net 3D

The JCD Group have already completed the pre-application process that allows them to lodge their plans directly to An Bord Pleanála using the fast-track Strategic Housing Development process. A decision is expected within the next 16 weeks.

JCD said the project if approved, will sustain 200 construction jobs and deliver 201 apartments into a market desperately in need of quality residential accommodation.

The site itself covers the former Sextant bar site and Carey's Tool Hire site from Albert Road along Albert Street, fronting Albert Quay and the former Terminus for the Cork-Blackrock & Passage Railway.

The proposed scheme will comprise of 93 one bed, 104 two bed and 4 three-bed apartments.

The scheme’s amenities will include: a 25th floor residents’ lounge and dining area which will be available to all residents of the scheme; residents’ gym; public café; coworking space; games room; and a basement with car spaces, large area for bicycle parking, refuse and recycling as well as dedicated storage areas for the apartments. Provision will also be made for electric car charging points as well as GoCar facilities.

Part of the proposed scheme will include the relocation of the Sextant premises to the protected Ticketing Office and Railway Terminus Building located on Albert Street, the creation of an internal public plaza and the refurbishment of the Station Offices for office use.

The bar in the residential development on the Carey's Tool Hire site. Pic by G-Net 3D

John Cleary CEO of JCD Group stated: “We are very excited to be progressing this proposed large-scale residential scheme on this key site. It's been almost 12 years since the last new City Centre apartment scheme of scale was completed in the City and given the current momentum in the office sector, the availability of apartments such as those proposed is an essential ingredient to the ongoing development and growth of the City Centre."

"We really believe that Cork has an opportunity to undergo a real transformation into a modern European city, where people are encouraged to work, live, socialise and shop in the city centre.”

Tánaiste Simon Coveney said: "I am very pleased to see planning permission lodged for this very significant apartment development for Cork City."

"The plans by JCD to construct a large-scale residential “build to rent” scheme in Cork’s docklands will be a very significant development for the city. This project will sustain 200 construction jobs and deliver 201 apartments into the Cork City residential market and I welcome this landmark investment. There is a lot of positive developments happening in Cork at the moment and this is just one of them that we can look forward to."

Conor Healy CEO of Cork Chamber also welcomed the application saying apartment led city living is essential to economic success.

"If we don’t make progress it will impact our immediate growth, our attractiveness in terms of place and challenge the fundamental spatial concept set out in Ireland 2040 of delivering density in our cities. Strategically located high density accommodation supports sustainable transport and commuting options which are much needed in Cork today.”

View of the planned new apartment building on Albert Quay.

The scheme has been designed by architects Henry J Lyons with specific input from London based Urban Initiatives Studio and tall buildings specialist Richard Coleman from City Designer, as well as conservation architects JCA.

The development comprises three distinct parts: the restored Railway House and Terminus buildings leading onto a large public plaza; the two lower residential blocks that step up from 9 to 12 storeys and these flow into the Landmark Tower section, which is proposed to be 25 storeys.